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Repeated infant thresholds in operant and nonoperant audiometric procedures
1Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie.
Ear and Hearing
|April 1, 1991
Summary
This study assessed infant auditory threshold reliability using two methods. Operant methods showed stable results, while nonoperant methods indicated a significant threshold increase with repeated testing in infants.
Area of Science:
- Audiology and Hearing Science
- Infant Development and Auditory Perception
Background:
- Accurate assessment of auditory thresholds is crucial for early identification of hearing impairments in infants.
- Understanding the test-retest reliability of different audiometric procedures is essential for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the test-retest reliability of infant auditory thresholds within a single session.
- To compare the reliability of operant versus nonoperant audiometric procedures in 8- to 11-month-old infants.
Main Methods:
- Infants aged 8-11 months underwent auditory threshold assessments using both operant and nonoperant methods.
- Multiple thresholds were obtained during a single evaluation session for each procedure.
- Statistical analysis examined shifts in threshold levels over the course of testing.
Main Results:
- Operant audiometric testing yielded an average of 8.5 thresholds per infant.
- No significant shift in mean auditory threshold level was observed during the operant testing session.
- Nonoperant assessment provided sufficient data for retesting in a subset of infants, revealing a significant upward shift in threshold levels.
Conclusions:
- Operant audiometric procedures demonstrate good test-retest reliability for infant auditory thresholds in a single session.
- Nonoperant methods may be less reliable for repeated threshold measurements in this age group, showing potential threshold shifts.
- Findings suggest operant methods may be preferable for consistent auditory threshold assessment in young infants.
