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Equal-loudness contours using subjective tinnitus as the standard.
Journal of Speech and Hearing Research
|June 1, 1984
Summary
Tinnitus loudness perception is complex. For individuals with hearing loss, tinnitus cannot be assumed to be a weak sound simply because it matches a quiet comparison tone.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Psychoacoustics
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) often co-occurs with tinnitus.
- Understanding tinnitus loudness is crucial for effective management.
- Previous assumptions may oversimplify tinnitus perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between tinnitus loudness and comparison tone levels in SNHL patients.
- To determine if tinnitus can be equated to a weak tone based on loudness matching.
Main Methods:
- Equal-loudness contours were obtained for six SNHL patients with tinnitus.
- Comparison tones (Co) were presented at frequencies outside the tinnitus pitch match region.
- A mathematical model (L = K(P - p0)^0.6) was used to analyze loudness perception.
Main Results:
- The sensation level of the comparison tone did not directly reflect tinnitus loudness.
- In regions of high-frequency hearing loss, comparison tones had lower sensation levels.
- This indicates that a low sensation level match does not imply low tinnitus loudness.
Conclusions:
- Tinnitus loudness is not accurately represented by the sensation level of a matched comparison tone in SNHL.
- The audibility of the comparison tone, influenced by hearing loss, affects the sensation level match.
- Tinnitus should not be presumed to be a weak sound solely based on low sensation level matches.