Effect of static force on bone conduction hearing thresholds and comfort

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Hearing Science

Background:

• Bone conduction (BC) threshold measurements are crucial for diagnosing hearing loss.
• Standardized equipment, like the P-3333 headband, is used for BC testing.
• The static force applied by bone vibrators can influence test results and user comfort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate how different static forces from a bone vibrator affect BC threshold measurements.
• To assess the impact of static force on participant comfort during BC testing.

Main Methods:

• Bone conduction thresholds were measured in 40 participants.
• Two devices were used: the P-3333 headband and an adjustable leather headstrap with varying static forces (2.4-5.4 N).
• Participant comfort was rated on a five-point Likert scale.

Main Results:

• Mean BC thresholds showed minimal variation (± 2 dB) across all tested forces, suggesting clinical insignificance.
• Participants reported significantly greater discomfort with the P-3333 headband compared to the adjustable headstrap.
• The P-3333 headband's in situ static force often exceeded the 5.4 N calibration standard.

Conclusions:

• An adjustable headstrap with a static force below 5.4 N offers improved comfort in BC testing.
• Future standards for BC testing equipment should consider adjustable headstraps and lower static forces.
• Optimizing static force can enhance the user experience without compromising BC threshold measurement accuracy.