摘要:

Several sources of variability inherent in any speech discrimination measurement are outlined. Limitations of the use of the binomial theorem to predict intrasubject (test-retest) variability are examined. First, the underestimation of variability that is caused by the inclusion of items of different degrees of difficulty is quantified by a reanalysis of published data. Second, it is shown that variability will be larger than expected if the subject's ability is different during test and retest sessions. Fortuitously, these two deviations from the model have opposing effects on the score variability. The estimates provided by the binomial theorem are thus better than if only one effect was present. The need for a clear distinction to be maintained between inter- and intrasubject variability and the effect of list differences on test-retest variability are also discussed.

ISSN:0196-0202    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1982

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A short closed-set test of speech discrimination using consonants frequently confused by the hearing impaired and scored on the basis of distinctive features was developed and examined for reliability. In experiment I the Distinctive Feature Difference (DFD) Test and the CID W-22 Test were low-pass filtered and presented in a background of speech noise to 21 subjects with normal hearing. The DFD displayed superior test-retest reliability compared with the CID Auditory Test W-22 as indicated by small S.D.s, narrow range of individual test scores, and a lack of significant difference between means. In experiment II, the unfiltered DFD Test was presented in noise to 20 subjects with sensorineural hearing loss. Results similar to those of experiment I were obtained, indicating good test-retest reliability for the DFD Test with hearing-impaired subjects.

ISSN:0196-0202    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1982

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Relative accuracy was assessed for two methods for predicting preferred listening levels as estimated by measurements of the upper limit of the comfortable loudness range (ULCL). Sixteen hearing-impaired subjects provided ULCL data for eight test stimuli on each of five occasions. The stimuli were four narrow bands of noise centered at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz and four narrow bands of speech babble also centered at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Best estimates of ULCL were determined to be the means of the five measurements for each subject for each of the eight test signals. Results revealed that the mean ULCL for each speech-band stimulus was predicted more accurately from that subject's first measurement of ULCL for that speech-band than from his/her threshold for the same signal. However, the accuracy with which noise-band ULCLs could be used to predict the mean speech-band ULCL varied with frequency and with the number of trials averaged. Relationship of ULCL to preferred listening levels was explored by comparing results obtained in this study with work of previous investigators. Implications of the results for hearing aid gain prescription are discussed.

ISSN:0196-0202    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1982

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The use of the California Consonant Test (CCT) in hearing aid evaluations was considered in this study. The CCT was processed through two hearing aids and presented to 14 normal hearing adults according to two procedures. Initially, an adaptive procedure was used to determine the signal-to-noise ratio that would permit 50 intelligibility. Then, a full list of the CCT was presented at this signal-to-noise ratio for validation purposes. Results suggested that hearing aids can be effectively differentiated with considerable time savings when an adaptive procedure is applied to the CCT. Results of the full list presentation demonstrated the adaptive procedure to be sufficiently accurate.

ISSN:0196-0202    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1982

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The sensitivity prediction from the acoustic reflex (SPAR) test was administered to 90 subjects who were classified according to four levels of mental retardation and five levels of hearing sensitivity. SPAR results showed accurate hearing level prediction for 58% of the subjects, one-category errors for 29%, and two- or three-category errors for 13%. Audiometric slope predictions were also made and were accurate for 58% of the subjects. SPAR results indicated that the greater the hearing loss, the less likely that normal hearing would be predicted. Hearing level predictions for the retarded population were of comparable accuracy but slightly poorer than those previously reported for the non-retarded. The SPAR is suggested as a useful addition to the audiologist's repertoire, particularly for retarded individuals who are difficult to test.

ISSN:0196-0202    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1982

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Auditory brain stem response (ABR) evaluations were conducted on 255 patients with suspected retrocochlear involvement. Twenty-six patients (10%) had surgically confirmed tumors, and ABRs were abnormal in 25 (96%) of these cases. The remaining 229 patients had nontumor medical diagnoses, but 25% of these were found to have abnormalities in ABR recordings. The most common ABR abnormality in the nontumor patients was large wave V interaural latency difference, followed by no response or poor waveform resolution and delayed absolute wave V latency. Peripheral hearing loss, including decreased sensitivity at 2000 and 4000 Hz, appears to have influenced waveform morphology and component latency.

ISSN:0196-0202    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1982

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

At the time of their discharge from a tertiary intensive care nursery, 890 babies were screened for hearing loss by the auditory brain stem response method. Of those who failed (N = 141), 43% were retested within a year; of those then found by auditory brain stem response to suffer binaural hearing loss (N = 331, 16 now wear hearing aids. We conclude that at least 10% of such babies, all of whom are by definition at risk for hearing loss, may leave the hospital with reduced sensitivity in one or both ears which, for at least 2%, is so severe that hearing aids may be necessary to optimize language and psychosocial development.

ISSN:0196-0202    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1982

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Monaural bone conduction thresholds were obtained with a circular tipped vibrator (Radioear B-71) employing forehead and mastoid placement on 26 normal listeners. The forehead minus mastoid threshold differences for the B-71 were very similar to those associated with hearing aid type vibrators in the lower frequencies. However, in the higher frequencies, threshold differences were greater for the B-71 than those associated with hearing aid type vibrators, especially at 4000 Hz. The results would indicate that the interim threshold calibration differences for forehead minus mastoid placement would not be appropriate for a 8–71 circular tipped vibrator in the higher frequencies.

ISSN:0196-0202    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1982

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Acoustic reflex thresholds (ARTS) elicited by tonal activators of 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz were studied in 14 patients (28 ears) having documented brain lesions affecting auditory perceptual skills. Reflex thresholds ranged from 75 to 125 dB hearing level (re: ANSI-1969) in a manner consistent with established findings on ARTs in patients without brain damage. The results indicated that disorders of the higher central nervous system do not affect tonally activated ARTs.

ISSN:0196-0202    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1982

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Tympanostomy tube insertion as a treatment for otitis media, in the hands of capable surgeons and competent anesthetists and anesthesiologists, is almost free of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Myringotomy and tympanostomy tube insertion can effectively eliminate the conductive hearing loss of middle ear effusion and reduce the incidence of recurrent acute purulent otitis media and its sequelae. With proper patient selection (intractable middle ear effusion), appropriate treatment of associated conditions (maxillary sinusitis, allergy, nasopharyngeal infections), sterilization of the external auditory canal, and the use of least easily infected materials, tympanostomy tube insertion is an efficacious procedure.

ISSN:0196-0202    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1982

数据来源: OVID