Short-term variability of pure-tone thresholds obtained with TDH-39P earphones.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To estimate the short-term variability and correlates of variability in pure-tone thresholds obtained using audiometric equipment designed for occupational use, and to examine the justification for excluding 8 kHz as a mandatory threshold in occupational hearing conservation programs.

Method

Pure-tone thresholds and other hearing-related tests (e.g. noise dosimetry, otoscopy, middle-ear assessment) were conducted with a group of 527 adults between 20 and 69 years of age. Five measurement visits were completed by participants within 14 days.

Results

The 50% critical difference boundaries were - 5 and 0 dB at 4 kHz and below and - 5 and 5 dB at 6 and 8 kHz. The likelihood of spurious notches due to test-retest variability was substantially lower than the likel

SUBMITTER: Flamme GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4668587 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature