Contributions to high-frequency reflectance from the change in diameter between sound-delivery tube and ear canal

2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
pp. 1996-1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Lewis ◽  
Mary Easterday
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Delivery Tube ◽  
Ear Canal

Evaluation of the Repeatability and Accuracy of the Wideband Real-Ear-to-Coupler Difference

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (06) ◽  
pp. 520-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Vaisberg ◽  
Paula Folkeard ◽  
John Pumford ◽  
Philipp Narten ◽  
Susan Scollie
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Repeated Measures Anova ◽  
Absolute Agreement ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Db Difference ◽  
Additional Clinical Benefit ◽  
Reported Data

AbstractThe real-ear-to-coupler difference (RECD) is an ANSI standardized method for estimating ear canal sound pressure level (SPL) thresholds and assisting in the prediction of real-ear aided responses. It measures the difference in dB between the SPL produced in the ear canal and the SPL produced in an HA-1 2-cc coupler by the same sound source. Recent evidence demonstrates that extended high-frequency bandwidth, beyond the hearing aid bandwidth typically measured, is capable of providing additional clinical benefit. The industry has, in turn, moved toward developing hearing aids and verification equipment capable of producing and measuring extended high-frequency audible output. As a result, a revised RECD procedure conducted using a smaller, 0.4-cc coupler, known as the wideband-RECD (wRECD), has been introduced to facilitate extended high-frequency coupler-based measurements up to 12.5 kHz.This study aimed to (1) compare test–retest repeatability between the RECD and wRECD and (2) measure absolute agreement between the RECD and wRECD when both are referenced to a common coupler.RECDs and wRECDs were measured bilaterally in adult ears by calculating the dB difference in SPL between the ear canal and coupler responses. Real-ear probe microphone measures were completed twice per ear per participant for both foam-tip and customized earmold couplings using the Audioscan Verifit 1 and Verifit 2 fitting systems, followed by measurements in the respective couplers.Twenty-one adults (mean age = 67 yr, range = 19–78) with typical aural anatomy (as determined by measures of impedance and otoscopy) participated in this study, leading to a sample size of 42 ears.Repeatability within RECD and wRECD was assessed for each coupling configuration using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with test–retest and frequency as within-participants factors. Repeatability between the RECD and wRECD was assessed within each configuration using a repeated-measures ANOVA with test–retest, frequency, and coupler type as within-participants factors. Agreement between the RECD and wRECD was assessed for each coupling configuration using a repeated-measures ANOVA with RECD value, coupler type, and frequency as within-participants factors. Post hoc comparisons with Bonferroni corrections were used when appropriate to locate the frequencies at which differences occurred. A 3-dB criterion was defined to locate differences of clinical significance.Average absolute test–retest differences were within ±3 dB within each coupler and coupling configuration, and between the RECD and wRECD. The RECD and wRECD were in absolute agreement following HA-1-referenced transforms, with most frequencies agreeing within ±1 dB, except at 0.2 kHz for the earmold, and 0.2–0.25 kHz for the foam tip, where the average RECD exceeded the average wRECD by slightly >3 dB.Test–retest repeatability of the RECD (up to 8 kHz) and wRECD (up to 12.5 kHz) is acceptable and similar to previously reported data. The RECD and wRECD are referenced to different couplers, but can be rendered comparable with a simple transform, producing values that are in accordance with the ANSI S3.46-2013 standard.

Extra-High-Frequency Auditory Thresholds: Fine Structure, Reliability, Temporal Integration and Relation to Ear Canal Resonance

1985 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth R. Henry ◽  
Gary A. Fast ◽  
Hanh H. Nguyen ◽  
Marcie C. Paolinelli ◽  
Natalie M. Ayars
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Temporal Integration ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Auditory Thresholds ◽  
Structure Reliability

scholarly journals Effect of Middle-Ear Pathology on High-Frequency Ear Canal Reflectance Measurements in the Frequency and Time Domains

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 529-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle R. Merchant ◽  
Jonathan H. Siegel ◽  
Stephen T. Neely ◽  
John J. Rosowski ◽  
Hideko H. Nakajima
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ear ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Time Domains ◽  
Reflectance Measurements

Coupling of FM Systems to Individuals With Unilateral Hearing Loss

1992 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy G. Kopun ◽  
Patricia G. Stelmachowicz ◽  
Edward Carney ◽  
Laura Schulte
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Significant Attenuation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Delivery Options ◽  
Speech Information ◽  
The Relationship

This study examined the attenuation characteristics of five FM system sound delivery options for a group of 10 adults and 15 children (5–13 years). Sound delivery options included a tube-fitting, lightweight headphones, a CROS earmold with tubing, a CROS earmold with a snap-ring, and a standard snap-ring earmold with a vent. Attenuation was defined as the difference between probe-tube microphone measures of the ear canal resonance and the SPL in the ear canal with each sound delivery option in place. A statistically significant but clinically inconsequential difference in attenuation for the CROS earmold with tubing was noted between adults and children. No significant differences in attenuation for any of the other sound delivery options were noted between adults and children. An investigation of the relationship between magnitude of attenuation and percentage of the ear canal occluded suggests that degree of occlusion is a major factor in determining degree of attenuation provided by a particular sound delivery option. Results also indicate that significant attenuation of high-frequency signals can occur with earmolds commonly considered nonoccluding. Caution should be used in fitting hearing aids or FM systems to individuals with normal high-frequency hearing sensitivity to prevent attenuation of unamplified high-frequency speech information.

Effect of middle-ear pathology on high-frequency ear-canal reflectance measurements in the frequency and time domains

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle R. Merchant ◽  
Jonathan H. Siegel ◽  
Stephen T. Neely ◽  
John J. Rosowski ◽  
Hideko H. Nakajima
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ear ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Time Domains ◽  
Reflectance Measurements
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