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Distortion product otoacoustic emissions: cochlear-source contributions and clinical test performance
Tiffany A Johnson1, Stephen T Neely, Judy G Kopun
1Boys Town National Research Hospital, 555 N. 30th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|February 6, 2008
Summary
Controlling distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) sources did not improve diagnostic accuracy or threshold prediction. Clinical recording of DPOAEs should not attempt to control source contributions with suppressors.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otoacoustic Emissions
- Hearing Science
Background:
- Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) accuracy may be influenced by interacting distortion and reflection sources.
- Understanding DPOAEs' source contributions is crucial for accurate hearing assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of controlling DPOAE source contributions on diagnostic test performance and threshold prediction accuracy.
- To determine if suppressing reflection sources improves DPOAE clinical utility.
Main Methods:
- Collected DPOAE data from 205 normal and impaired ears at 2 and 4 kHz.
- Compared DPOAE measurements under control conditions versus conditions with a suppressor (f(3)) designed to reduce reflection sources.
- Assessed dichotomous-decision test performance and correlation with behavioral thresholds.
Main Results:
- Controlling DPOAE source contribution with a suppressor did not enhance diagnostic accuracy (relative operating characteristic curve area).
- Test performance was frequently poorer with suppressors compared to control conditions.
- Correlations between DPOAE and behavioral thresholds did not improve when source contribution was controlled.
Conclusions:
- Suppressing reflection sources in DPOAEs does not improve clinical diagnostic accuracy or threshold prediction.
- Clinical DPOAE recording is recommended without attempting to control source contributions using suppressors.
- The findings suggest current clinical practices for DPOAE measurement are appropriate without source suppression.
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