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Reference hearing threshold levels for chirp signals delivered by an ER-3A insert earphone
Kristian Gøtsche-Rasmussen1, Torben Poulsen, Claus Elberling
1Department of Electrical Engineering, Hearing Systems, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.
International Journal of Audiology
|August 23, 2012
Summary
This study establishes reference hearing threshold levels for chirp stimuli, finding results consistent with existing standards for tone bursts. These findings are crucial for the international standard on short duration signals.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Acoustics
- Signal Processing
Background:
- Establishing accurate hearing threshold levels is essential for audiological assessments.
- Chirp stimuli offer potential advantages over traditional tone bursts for certain auditory evaluations.
- Existing standards provide reference values for tone bursts but require data for chirp signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine reference hearing threshold levels for broad-band chirps and frequency-specific (octave-band) chirps.
- To compare these chirp thresholds with established reference values for tone bursts.
- To provide data relevant for the international standard on short duration signals.
Main Methods:
- Hearing thresholds were measured monaurally in 25 young, otologically normal adults.
- Broad-band and octave-band chirps were presented using insert earphones at repetition rates of 20 and 90 stimuli/s.
- Standardized audiological procedures (ISO 389-9, ISO 8253-1) were followed, with results reported in dB peak-to-peak equivalent threshold sound pressure levels (dB peETSPL).
Main Results:
- The determined hearing thresholds for chirp stimuli showed good agreement with a previous investigation using identical stimuli.
- Threshold values for octave-band chirps aligned well with standardized reference values for corresponding tone bursts (ISO 389-6).
Conclusions:
- The established reference hearing threshold levels for chirps are valuable for audiological applications.
- The findings support the inclusion and standardization of chirp signals in auditory testing protocols.
- This research contributes directly to the international standard for short duration signals (ISO 389-6).
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