High-frequency audiometry using precision earphones: reliability under laboratory and field conditions

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Acoustics
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Traditional supra-aural earphones have limitations in high-frequency audiometry.
• Accurate hearing threshold measurements are crucial for early diagnosis and intervention.
• The diagnostic value of high-frequency audiometry requires precise equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate new circumaural earphones (Sennheiser HD 230) for high-frequency audiometry.
• To compare their performance with conventional supra-aural earphones.
• To assess the diagnostic utility of high-frequency audiometry in specific populations.

Main Methods:

• Testing circumaural earphones (HD 230) from 100 Hz to 20 kHz on an artificial ear.
• Utilizing a microprocessor-controlled Békésy audiometer for hearing threshold measurements.
• Comparing results with free-field conditions and supra-aural earphones.

Main Results:

• The HD 230 earphones produced consistent sound pressure levels up to 20 kHz.
• Hearing threshold measurement reproducibility was comparable to free-field conditions.
• Significant hearing threshold differences (up to 20 dB) were observed between healthy pupils and those with otitis media history above 10 kHz.

Conclusions:

• Circumaural earphones (HD 230) are suitable for high-frequency audiometry up to 20 kHz.
• High-frequency audiometry demonstrates practical diagnostic value, particularly for identifying hearing loss in children.
• The sound attenuation of these earphones (30 dB above 1 kHz) is beneficial for this application.