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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
14:05
Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
Summary
This study evaluates current hearing tests, criticizing established methods like Rinne and Weber. It proposes "absolute bone conduction" testing for precise nerve function assessment in hearing evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Current hearing tests, including tonal limits, are generally accepted.
- Anomalous results arise when comparing air and bone conduction perception.
- Established tests like Rinne, Schwabach, Weber, and Bing face significant criticism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate existing audiological tests.
- To propose improvements for more accurate hearing assessments.
- To introduce the
- absolute bone conduction
- test for quantifying nerve function.
Main Methods:
- Destructive criticism of standard audiological tests (Rinne, Schwabach, Weber, Bing).
- Evaluation of Gellé and galvanic cochlear tests, including Fraser's modification.
- Development and application of the
- absolute bone conduction
- test.
- Quantitative determination of hearing power using tuning forks and mathematical analysis.
Main Results:
- Established tests demonstrate limitations and inconsistencies.
- The
- absolute bone conduction
- test provides an objective measure of hearing nerve function.
- Quantitative results, expressed on a distance basis, are preferred for accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Existing hearing tests require critical re-evaluation and improvement.
- The
- absolute bone conduction
- test offers a superior method for assessing the perceptive component of hearing.
- Accurate quantitative estimation of nerve function is crucial for diagnosing hearing loss.
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