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An Automated System for Sound Localization Testing in Hearing-Impaired Listeners
Published on: March 13, 2026
AMTAS(®): automated method for testing auditory sensitivity: III. sensorineural hearing loss and air-bone gaps
Robert H Margolis1, Brian C J Moore
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, USA. margo001@umn.edu
International Journal of Audiology
|June 15, 2011
Summary
The supra-aural earphone caused the most significant occlusion effect, impacting hearing threshold measurements. Circum-aural earphones showed minimal occlusion, suggesting they are suitable for accurate bone-conduction testing in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Science
- Bioacoustics
Background:
- The occlusion effect, a phenomenon where covering the ear canal alters sound perception, can influence hearing threshold measurements.
- Different earphone types (circumaural, supra-aural, insert) may produce varying degrees of occlusion.
- Accurate hearing threshold assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing hearing loss, particularly sensorineural hearing loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the occlusion effect of three distinct earphone types: circumaural, supra-aural, and insert.
- To compare air-conduction and bone-conduction hearing thresholds obtained using both manual and automated measurement methods.
- To evaluate these effects in subjects diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss.
Main Methods:
- Acoustic and psychoacoustic methods were employed to measure occlusion effects for each earphone type.
- Pure-tone hearing thresholds were measured in nineteen ears of thirteen subjects with sensorineural hearing loss.
- Air- and bone-conduction thresholds were compared between manual and automated testing procedures.
Main Results:
- The supra-aural earphone demonstrated the most substantial occlusion effect, followed by insert and then circumaural earphones.
- Systematic differences in air-conduction thresholds were observed between the manual and automated methods, potentially due to earphone variations.
- A previously reported significant air-bone gap at 4 kHz was successfully replicated in this study.
Conclusions:
- Circumaural earphones exhibit minimal occlusion effects (0.5-8.0 kHz), indicating they do not significantly alter bone-conduction thresholds.
- Further research is recommended to investigate the observed air-conduction threshold differences and ensure equivalent thresholds across different earphone types.
- The replicated 4 kHz air-bone gap may suggest a potential inaccuracy in the reference equivalent threshold force level at this specific frequency.
