Magnitude Estimation and the "Paradoxical" Loudness of Tinnitus

1986 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Penner
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Mathematical Description ◽  
Magnitude Estimate ◽  
Average Frequency ◽  
Sensation Level ◽  
Frequency Matching ◽  
Loudness Function ◽  
Intensity Match ◽  
Magnitude Estimates

Ten patients with sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus matched external tones to the tinnitus pitch. These matches were followed by (a) magnitude estimates to measure the loudness function of tones at 1 kHz and at the presumed tinnitus frequency (i.e., at the average frequency matching the pitch of the tinnitus), (b) magnitude estimates of the tinnitus itself, and (c) loudness matches of external tones to the tinnitus. The slope of the loudness function at 1 kHz is substantially smaller than the slope at the presumed tinnitus frequency. Most importantly, the magnitude estimates of the tinnitus coupled with intensity matches to the tinnitus provide coordinates that typically lie near the loudness function of the external tone used in the intensity match. Because the slope of the loudness function is much greater at the tinnitus frequency than at 1 kHz, the magnitude estimate of tinnitus loudness corresponds to a lower sensation level at that frequency than at 1 kHz. This finding favors the conclusion that rapid hanges in loudness of external tones at the tinnitus frequency account for the "paradoxical" loudness of the tinnitus. The conclusion is independent of any mathematical description of the loudness function.

Tinnitus as a Source of Internal Noise

1986 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 400-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Penner
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Psychometric Function ◽  
Correct Response ◽  
Internal Noise ◽  
Average Frequency ◽  
Maximum Frequency ◽  
Minimum Frequency ◽  
Frequency Matching ◽  
Pure Tones

For 7 patients with sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, pitch and loudness matches were made to the tinnitus. These matches were followed by measurement of three psychometric functions (probability of a correct response as a function of signal level) for pure tones, one in the presumed tinnitus region (i.e., at the average frequency matching the pitch of the tinnitus), one below the minimum frequency of the matches, and one above the maximum frequency of the matches. The data reveal (a) that pitch-loudness matches are usually quite variable and (b) that the slope of the psychometric function is flattest in the presumed tinnitus region. The first result is consistent with the idea that tinnitus is an unstable signal. The second result is consistent with the notion that the unstable tinnitus acts as a source of "internal" noise.

scholarly journals Acoustic reflex measurements and the loudness function in sensorineural hearing loss

1980 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila Uliel
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Acoustic Impedance ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Acoustic Reflex ◽  
Reflex Responses ◽  
Loudness Function ◽  
The Individual

The suprathreshold acoustic reflex responses of forty two ears affected by sensorineural hearing loss of cochlear origin and fifty-eight ears demonstrating normal hearing, were recorded by means of an electro-acoustic impedance meter and attached X-Y recorder. The recordings were done in ascending and descending fashion,  at successively increasing and decreasing 5dB intensity levels from 90-120-90 dB HL respectively, for the individual pure-tone frequencies of 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz. The contralateral mode of measurement was employed. Analysis of  these recordings indicated that the acoustic reflex  responses could be differentiated into five  characteristic patterns of  growth, which could be depicted upon a continuum of peaked, peaked-rounded, rounded, rounded-flat,  and flat  shapes. The peaked and peaked-rounded patterns were found  to predominate at all four pure-tone frequencies  in the normal ears, while the rounded-fiat  and flat  patterns were found  to predominate only at the higher pure-tone frequencies of 2 000 and 4 000 Hz in the ears affected  by sensorineural hearing loss. This latter relationship was also able to be applied to two disorders of  the loudness functio— loudness recruitment and hyperacusis. It was concluded that the flattened  acoustic reflex  patterns at the higher pure-tone frequencies  constituted a potential diagnostic cue related to the differential  diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss, and to disorders of  the loudness function.

Pure-Tone Octave Masking in Listeners with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

1974 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Nelson ◽  
Robert C. Bilger
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Harmonic Distortion ◽  
Test Signal ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Sensation Level ◽  
Absolute Level ◽  
Acoustic Signal Analysis ◽  
The Absolute

Pure-tone octave masking was investigated in 14 listeners with sensorineural hearing loss to examine the hypothesis that the sensorineural ear introduces abnormal harmonic distortion. Thresholds for a test signal at f 2 , masked by a masking signal at f 1 , (where f 2 = 2f 1 ) were obtained as a function of the level of the f 1 masker for four different f 1 frequencies (250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz) and two different phase relations between the f 1 and f 2 signals (90° and 270°). Analysis of the data in terms of the absolute level of the f 2 test signal at masked threshold vs the absolute level of the f 1 masking signal leads to the conclusion that these pathological ears do not perform differently from normal ears, except along the dimension of hearing loss. That is, their hearing losses do not add significant distortion to the acoustic signal. Analysis of the data in terms of the sensation level of the f 2 test signal at masked threshold leads to the specious conclusion that the sensorineural ear introduces abnormal distortion.

Perstimulatory Tracking in Pitch Perception by Subjects with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

1970 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 518-525
Author(s):  
Paul Skinner ◽  
Frank Antinoro
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Pitch Perception ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Sensation Level ◽  
Continuous Tone ◽  
Pitch Shift ◽  
Over Time

The pitch of continuous fatiguing tones was tracked over time by six subjects who demonstrated sensorineural hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and possible significance of perstimulatory tracking in pitch perception by subjects with sensorineural hearing loss. Perstimulatory tracking was done at three frequencies: 500, 2500, and 4500 Hz, and at two intensities, a moderate and a high sensation level. The duration of fatiguing stimuli varied from 3 to 8 minutes, depending on the frequency and intensity of the stimuli. Immediately after cessation of the continuous tone, poststimulatory tracking was done with pulsed tones at low sensation levels to observe the recovery trend from any observed shifts in pitch. Temporary pitch shift (TPS) was not evident at 500 Hz; however, TPS was observed for all of the conditions at 2500 and 4500 Hz. These findings were compared to observed TPS and recovery in subjects with normal hearing.

Relationships between Comfortable Loudness Levels for Speech and Speech Discrimination in Sensorineural Hearing Loss

1977 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judd Posner ◽  
Ira M. Ventry
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Sensation Level ◽  
Comfortable Loudness ◽  
The Relationship

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the sensation level selected as most comfortable for loudness and intelligibility, and the sensation level at which maximum speech discrimination is obtained. An articulation function was generated at five sensation levels for 45 subjects with sensorineural hearing loss. Speech discrimination scores were also obtained at sensation levels corresponding to most comfortable loudness levels for loudness and intelligibility. Results indicated that most comfortable loudness, at least under the conditions of the present study, does not appear to be the level at which maximum speech discrimination is obtained. Therefore, the use of comfortable loudness as a single sensation level for testing a subject’s maximum discrimination is not recommended at this time.

A Comparison of the NU-6 and W-22 Speech Discrimination Tests for Assessing Sensorineural Hearing Loss

1979 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 522-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Orchik ◽  
Karen M. Krygier ◽  
Betty P. Cutts
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Sensation Level ◽  
Speech Discrimination Tests ◽  
Word Lists

The Auditec recordings of the CID W-22 and NU-6 word lists were administered to 30 adults having sensorineural hearing losses. Speech discrimination scores for both tests were obtained at 16, 24, and 32 dB sensation level. Results suggest that both tests differentiate sensorineural-impaired subjects from normal listeners, although scores were significantly better for the W-22 word lists at all sensation levels. Implications for the clinical use of these measures are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document