Bell’s palsy workup:Does audiometry add value?

Objective:To investigate if routine audiometry in Bell’s palsy patients has prognostic value.Methods:Retrospective case review was conducted on all Bell’s palsy patients(n紏191)seen at the tertiary otolaryngology specialist outpatient clinic from 2015 to 2017.Correlation of ipsilesional audiometric thresholds with patients’time-to-recovery and initial clinical severity(measured by House-Brackmann(HB)scoring)were used for the prognostic outcome measure.Audiometry results were analyzed using three contiguous frequency pure-tone average(1kHz,2kHz,4kHz).Statistical analysis was done via Stata(v13.1),significance tests were 2-sided at 5%significance level.Results:There was no significant difference between audiometric thresholds between the ipsilesional ear and the contralateral ear(p=0.87).Time-to-recovery was significantly longer for patients with severe initial presentation as compared to mild and moderate severity(p<0.01).There was no correlation found between the audiometry results and HB score at presentation(p=0.39).There was no correlation found between ipsilesional audiometric thresholds and time-to-recovery(p=0.58).Conclusion:Our study suggests that routine audiometry has limited prognostic value in Bell’s palsy patients.

An Investigation on Feasibility of Pure Tone Sound Field Audiometry

It′s generally believed that the appropriate stimuli for sound field tests are warble tones and narrow band noise, while pure tone can only be a signal used in the free field and earphone listening conditions. In this study, we take a measurement of sound pressure distribution, sound field variability, and effects of frequency shifting on sound pressure levels (SPLs) at reference points of pure tone in an audiometric test room. It was found that the pure tone SPLs were also distributed uniformly at some sound field areas although it was not so well as warble tones. This indicated that the test results were relatively stable to head movement and/or frequency shifting in those regions, which was confirmed by the clinical measurements on 20 subjects with severe sensorineural hearing loss. Our study concluded that pure tones could also be suitable for sound field audiometry if subjects were seated at a proper location on the basis of the sound field calibrations.

Evaluation of SON’OR^(█),a Medical Device for Provoked Otoacoustic Emissions and Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry Made in Cameroon

Background: There is a huge gap in the audiological care in Africa by comparison with Western countries. Its main reason is the prohibitive cost of the medical devices used to screen or diagnose patients. A Cameroonian team tackled this problem by developing a medical device (SON’OR&copy;) which integrates a new instrumentation amplifier structure dedicated to perform otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA). The major technical challenges to perform OAE and BERA are the synchronization and the amplification of signals of very low amplitude. In this work, we emphasize on the general criteria necessary and indispensable to achieve an optimal amplification. The application of a novel instrumentation amplifier structure characterized by its optimized noise factor in the case of BERA and OEA emissions provides simulations and experimental results fully in line with forecasts. The design of SON’OR&copy;is based on general techniques of electronic instrumentation to which we associated the new instrumentation amplifier structure. Objective: To report the clinical evaluation of SON’OR&copy;as a screening and diagnostic tool. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional comparative study in Centre Hospitalier d’Essos in Yaoundé. We tested SON’OR&copy;on two sets of subjects, one for OAE with OTODYNAMICS Echoport ILO 292-II as gold standard and the other for BERA with NEUROSOFT NEURO AUDIO&copy;as gold standard. Each patient was tested with both devices and then we studied the inter device differences and calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for each test. Results: We got 52 subjects for OEA and 51 for BERA testing. Sex ratio was 1 woman for 2 men in both groups. Mean age was 24.86(SD = 10.53) and 26.33 (10.55) for OAE and BERA groups respectively. SON’OR&copy;had good performances, showing sensitivity of 92.85%/95%, specificity of 96.77%/90.47%, positive predictive value of 95.21%/93.44% and negative predictive value of 95.23%/92.68% for OAE/ BERA respectively. Conclusion: SON’OR&copy;has good characteristics as a medical diagnostic tool. Furthermore its stability and performances in poor electrical conditions make it a robust device really suited for resource limited settings.

Correlation of semi-quantitative findings of endolymphatic hydrops in MRI with the audiometric findings in patients with Meniere's disease

Purpose:To investigate the correlation between vestibular hydrops(VH),cochlearhydrops(CH),vestibular aqueduct non-visibility(VANV),and visually increased perilymphatic enhancement(VIPE)with the findings of pure-tone audiometry(PTA)in Meniere’s disease(MD)patients.Methods:In this cross-sectional study,53 ears belonging to 48 patients were divided into two groups and evaluated.In group“MD patients,”there were 24 ears of 19 patients diagnosed with the definite MD(14 patients with unilateral and 5 patients withbilateral involvements).The“control group”consisted of 29 non-symptomatic ears belonging to patients diagnosed with unilateral sudden sensory-neural hearing loss or unilateral schwannoma.All the patients underwent 2 sessions of temporal bone MRI using the same 3T system:an unenhanced axial T1,T2,and 3D-FLAIR MRI,an intravenous gadoliniumenhanced axial T1 fat-sat,and 4 h after the injection,an axial 3D-T2 cube and 3D-FLAIR session.VH,CH,VANV,and VIPE were assessed.Subsequently,the correlation between EH indices and PTA findings(in three frequency domains of low,middle,and high)were evaluated,and the predictive value of MRI was calculated.Results:VH was significantly correlated with the hearing threshold in the low,middle,and highfrequency domains.CH was also correlated with the hearing threshold in the low and middle domains.Contrarily,VIPE was not associated with hearing thresholds,and VANV was only correlated with the hearing threshold in low frequencies.Conclusion:The grade of VH,CH,and VANV were significantly correlated with the hearing thresholds in PTA.

Audiometric Profile of Deafness at the University Hospital Center Gabriel Toure of Bamako

Objective: To determine the audiometric profile of deafness in our practice. Materials and Methods: Longitudinal prospective study was conducted out in the ENT department and cervicofacial surgery of Gabriel Toure University Hospital in Bamako, we made an exhaustive sampling of all the patients who consulted for hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, hiring report, medical expertise and whose deafness was confirmed to tonal audiometry with an age greater than or equal to 15 years. It was spread over 10 months (June 2016 to March 2017). A total of 200 patients were collected. Exclusion criteria were all patients under 15 years of age as well as deafness related to earwax or foreign bodies, and refusal to participate in the study Results: During our study period, 6055 outpatients were admitted out of which 734 patients underwent audiometric testing and 200 patients (3.30%) met our criteria. The male sex was the most represented with a rate of 60%. The sex ratio was 1.5 or 3 men for 2 women. The 15 to 25 age group was the most represented at 37.5%. The average age was 37.18 years old with extremes ranging from 15 to 83 years old. Pupils/students were the most represented with a rate of 29.5%, followed by housewives in 23%, farmers in 10.5% and military in 10%. As antecedent 26% of our patients had a chronic otitis media (OMC), against 23% who had no antecedent otological and 17% had a traumatic antecedent. Bilateral deafness was the most common with a rate of 64.5%. The mode of progressive appearance was the most frequent in 74.5%. As functional signs 46.22% of our patients had a hearing loss associated with tinnitus. Otoscopic examination was pathological in 34.5% of our patients. Mixed deafness was the most common in 43.35%, followed by perception deafness in 32.19% and transmission deafness 24.46%. Mean deafness was the most common with a rate of 48.91%, was severe in 20.22%, mild in 18.31%, deep in 11.47% and cophotic in 01.09%. Asymmetrical curves were the most found in 65.89% of our patients. Conclusion: Deafness is a sensory disability responsible for communication disorder, sometimes disabling. Audiometry, although subjective, remains essential in the diagnosis of deafness.

SARS-CoV-2 and hearing:An audiometric analysis of COVID-19 hospitalized patients

Purpose COVID-19 associated hearing loss is still an ongoing matter of debate.No original studies exist on audiological effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients.The main objective was to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 may affect auditory function in clinically ill COVID-19 patients.Materials and methods COVID-19 patients with moderate-severe disease and without prior history of hearing abnormalities were enrolled from a tertiary referral center,and matched with controls.Participants performed an audiometric evaluation,and thresholds were compared.Results 120 ears from 60 patients were enrolled.Patients with COVID-19 showed worse mean auditory thresholds starting from 1000 Hz through higher frequencies,when compared to controls(1000 Hz:18.52±5.49 dB HL in controls vs 25.36±6.79 dB HL in COVID-19,p<0.001;2000Hz:17.50±5.57 dB HL in controls vs 21.96±7.05 dB HL in COVID-19,p=0.010;3000Hz:17.97±8.07 dB HL in controls vs 25±9.38 dB HL in COVID-19,p=0.003;4000 Hz:20.16±10.12 dB HL in controls vs 29.55±11.26 dB HL in COVID-19,p=0.001;8000 Hz:31.09±12.75 dB HL in controls vs 40.71±19.40 dB HL in COVID-19,p=0.030;Pure Tone Average:20.42±4.29 dB HL in controls vs 24.85±5.62 dB HL in COVID-19,p=0.001).Statistical significance persisted after adjusting for confounders such as age,gender and various comorbidities(p<0.05).Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 may affect hearing in COVID-19 patients with moderate-severe disease.Results are in line with the previous suggested effects of COVID-19 on auditory system.This study is expected to encourage further research on this topic.

The value of the speech audiometry in diagnosis of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy

To the editor: Sir,X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a hereditary metabolic disease with an incidence rate of 1:16,800.1 Mutations in the ABCD1 gene in X-q28 causes the presence of high levels of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in the serum and tissues.X-ALD presents with adrenal insufficiency as well as severe cognitive and neurologic disability.

To Evaluate the Correlation between Preoperative Otoscopic Features, Pure Tone Audiometric Findings and Intraoperative Ossicular Chain Status in Patients with Chronic Otitis Media

Aim: Chronic otitis media (COM) is chronic muco purulent discharge through a perforated tympanic membrane. Theossicular chain damage is found in both mucosal and squamosal types of COM. We aim to evaluate relationship between preoperative otologic features, pure tone audiometric findings and intraoperative ossicular chain status in patients with chronic otitis media. Material and Methods: 100 patients of either sex aged between 12 to 60 years operated for active or inactive, squamosal or mucosal chronic otitis media attending Ram Lal Eye and ENT Hospital, Government Medical College Amritsar were taken. The preoperative ossicular chain status based on set parameters was compared with the intraoperative ossicular chain status. Results: The ossicular chain integrity is more commonly compromised in squamosal COM and the most common ossicle eroded is Incus. Pure tone audiogram has got a very important role in determining the ossicular chain integrity preoperatively and must be done in all cases with accuracy. Conclusion: It is concluded that on the basis of otoscopic examination and pure tone audiometry values, we can accurately classify the COM as mucosal or squamosal type and get an idea of the ossicular chain integrity preoperatively hence planning the extent of surgery.

17例耳硬化症患者的临床与影像学分析

目的分析17例耳硬化症患者的临床特征、影像学表现及手术治疗效果。方法收集2020年5月~2023年5月在湖州市中心医院接受手术治疗的17例(17耳)耳硬化症患者临床、影像学资料,分析其临床表现、颞骨CT影像学表现及手术前后纯音测听结果变化。结果17例(17耳)患者中,11耳(64.71%)为前庭窗型,表现为进行性传导性听力损失,其中9耳有耳鸣,3耳有轻微平衡问题;混合型6耳(35.29%)显示混合性听力损失,5耳有耳鸣,3耳有偶发性平衡障碍。影像学上,前庭窗型显示镫骨底板区域骨质增厚、前庭窗密度增加;混合型则显示镫骨底板增厚及耳蜗周围密度减低,1耳可见“双环征”,两种类型耳硬化症患者骨密度差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后均未见耳鸣加重或其他严重并发症,仅2例(11.76%)出现暂时性头晕,术后随访显示术区恢复良好,无感染或其他迟发性并发症;术后听力测试显示气导阈值、气骨导差较术前显著改善(P均<0.05)。结论前庭窗型和混合型耳硬化症的影像学和临床表现各有特点,镫骨成形术可显著改善听力,降低气导阈值和气骨导差,且手术安全、并发症少。

Development of SC-10: A psychometrically equivalent Singapore Mandarin disyllabic word list for clinical speech audiometry use

Objective::The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate a set of psychometrically equivalent disyllabic wordlist(SC-10)in Singapore Mandarin for clinical use.Study design::A preliminary set of 1000 words were obtained from a dictionary of frequently used words by Singapore students.Ten native judges rate the familiarity level of each word.This is followed by a face-to-face public survey to rank the shortlisted word set from most to least familiar.The final 108 disyllabic words were recorded by a native female talker.20 normal hearing subjects were used to obtain the percentage of correct word recognition at 24 intensity levels(-10 dB HL to 26 dB HL in 2 dB increment).Psychometric function slopes were calculated for each word.100 words were eventually chosen and assigned into ten 10-word lists based on a psychometric balancing protocol.Minor digital adjustments were made to the intensity of each wordlist to improve their auditory homogeneity.Results::The calculated regression slopes in the psychometric functions for the ten lists are between 8.0 and 9.8%/dB.Single factor ANOVA analysis showed no significant difference in both the mean intensity required to obtain 50%recognition score(f=0.109,df=9,p=0.999)and the slopes of the psychometric functions(f=0.078,df=9,p=0.999)between the ten word lists.List validation on 25 normal hearing participants(PTA=11.0 dB HL,SD=4.3)showed a mean speech recognition threshold(SRT)of 9.3 dB HL(SD=3.5)and regression slope of 8.395%/dB.Quadratic regression analysis showed a positive correlation(r^(2)=0.923)between presentation level and word recognition score(WRS).The difference between PTA and SRT of each subject all fall within the clinically acceptable difference of 10 dB HL.Test-retest reliability,carried out on 20 subjects at three levels(SRT-5,SRT,and SRT+5 dB),showed no significance difference between word recognition score when the same participant is tested again at the same intensity level using a different wordlist.Conclusion::All in all,it shows that the SC-10 speech materials are valid for clinical use for Mandarin speech audiometry in Singapore.

Sound transducer calibration of ambulatory audiometric system utilizing delta learning rule

An efficient calibration algorithm for an ambulatory audiometric test system is proposed. This system utilizes a personal digital assistant (PDA) device to generate the correct sound pressure level (SPL) from an audiometric transducer such as an earphone. The calibrated sound intensities for an audio-logical examination can be obtained in terms of the sound pressure levels of pure-tonal sinusoidal signals in eight-banded frequency ranges (250, 500, 1 000, 2 000, 3 000, 4 000, 6 000 and 8 000 Hz), and with mapping of the input sound pressure levels by the weight coefficients that are tuned by the delta learning rule. With this scheme, the sound intensities, which evoke eight-banded sound pressure levels by 5 dB steps from a minimum of 25 dB to a maximum of 80 dB, can be generated without volume displacement. Consequently, these sound intensities can be utilized to accurately determine the hearing threshold of a subject in the ambulatory audiometric testing environment.

远程测听技术的研究与应用进展

远程医疗是指利用信息和通信技术提供医疗保健服务。随着互联网技术的发展和普及,远程医疗得到了广泛认可和应用。远程测听技术是利用信息和通信技术提供测听服务,具有便捷性、高效性、低成本、自动化等优势,可为资源不足的地区提供测听服务,降低测听成本,提高筛查效率,为大规模大范围的听力服务提供可能。但远程测听仍存在许多局限性,可能影响测听结果的准确性和普及性。本文回顾远程测听技术的发展历程、应用现状,探讨其优势与局限性,为远程测听的进一步研究与应用提供参考。

Effect analysis of unilateral deaf adults wearing bone-conduction hearing aids:A case report

The prevalence of unilateral deafness(SSD)or asymmetric hearing loss(AHL)among patients with hearing impairments ranges from 7.2%to 15.0%,indicating a relatively significant proportion.However,these individuals often overlook their hearing loss,resulting in delayed or inadequate treatment.This oversight can lead to a lack of binaural summation and squelch effect,as well as the head shadow effect,which can significantly impact their speech recognition and sound localization abilities,especially in noisy environments.Recently,a groundbreaking Sound Bite™Pinyin®Bone Conduction Hearing Aid(HA)device has been has been introduced as a viable alternative to traditional percutaneous stimulation hearing assistance devices.This innovative device harnesses bone conduction technology to convey sound vibrations directly to the inner ear via the bones of the jaw and skull,effectively bypassing the air conduction pathway that is commonly compromised in individuals with hearing loss.This report details the evaluation and adjustment process of a HA device worn by a 31-year-old female patient who suffers from a congenital ossicular chain deformity in her right ear,while maintaining normal hearing in her left ear.The report comprehensively covers the hearing thresholds of the 31-year-old female patient on the day of fitting the hearing aid and one month later.It also presents assessments of the hearing aid’s performance through the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit(APHAB)questionnaire,conducted three days after adjustment,one month later,and one year later.Furthermore,the report details the evaluation of the patient’s sound localization ability,comparing her performance before and after wearing the hearing aid device.Additionally,it includes measurements of her speech recognition ability for monosyllabic words and Yang Yang Ge words,which are specific tests in the Chinese language,conducted two years after the initial fitting of the hearing aid.The discovery that bone-anchored hearing devices can significantly enhance hearing thresholds in patients with unilateral conductive hearing loss represents a significant milestone.These devices not only improve speech recognition ability but also enhance sound localization in noisy environments.This improvement is accompanied by a high level of subjective satisfaction among patients,indicating a positive impact on their overall quality of life.

Clinical characteristics and analysis of vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss in different ages

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have found that patients experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSHL),with or without accompanying vertigo,often show impaired vestibular function.However,there is a dearth of studies analyzing vestibularevoked myogenic potentials(VEMPs)in SSHL patients across various age groups.AIM To investigate vestibular condition in SSHL patients across various age demographics.METHODS Clinical data of 84 SSHL patients were investigated retrospectively.Audiometry,cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials(c-VEMPs),and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials(o-VEMPs)were conducted on these patients.Parameters assessed included the latencies of P1 and N1 waves,as well as the amplitudes of P1–N1 waves.Moreover,the study evaluated the influence of factors such as sex,affected side,configuration of hearing loss,and presence of accompanying vertigo.RESULTS Among the 84 SSHL patients,no significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of gender,affected side,and the presence or absence of vertigo.Group II(aged 41–60 years)had the highest number of SSHL cases.The rates of absent o-VEMPs in the affected ears were 20.83%,31.58%,and 22.72%for the three age groups,respectively,with no statistically significant difference among them.The rates of absent c-VEMPs in the affected ears were 8.3%,34.21%,and 18.18%for the three age groups,respectively,with significant differences.In the unaffected ears,there were differences observed in the extraction rates of o-VEMPs in the unaffected ears among the age groups.In the three age groups,no significant differences were noted in the three age groups in the latencies of P1 and N1 waves or in the amplitude of N1–P1 waves for c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs,either on the affected side or on the unaffected side,across the three age groups.CONCLUSION The extraction rate of VEMPs is more valuable than parameters.Regardless of the presence of vertigo,vestibular organs are involved in SSHL.Notably,SSHL patients aged 41–60 appear more susceptible to damage to the inferior vestibular nerve and saccule.

不同分型鼓室硬化的听力学特点与术后疗效分析

目的 分析不同分型鼓室硬化患者的听力学特点,探讨其手术治疗效果,为术前评估提供参考。方法 回顾性分析135例(135耳)鼓室硬化手术患者,对比手术前后听力学资料。结果 Ⅰ、Ⅱ型鼓室硬化患者多表现为传导性耳聋(分别为71.4%、68.8%),Ⅳ型鼓室硬化患者中混合性耳聋出现的比例更高(66.7%)。各型鼓室硬化的听力曲线以平坦型为主。卡哈切迹出现率为13.3%(18/135),Ⅳ型鼓室硬化患者中38.9%患者听力图出现了卡哈切迹。各型鼓室硬化患者(除Ⅲ型鼓室硬化外)术后气骨导差(ABG)和气导平均听阈(PTA)均较术前降低。Ⅰ型鼓室硬化的手术成功率最高(79.0%),Ⅳ型鼓室硬化的手术成功率最低(63.9%)。结论 各型鼓室硬化患者听力图多呈现平坦型曲线,混合性耳聋最多见于Ⅳ型鼓室硬化,卡哈切迹的出现可提示镫骨的固定。手术清除鼓室内硬化灶是主要的治疗方式,Ⅰ型鼓室硬化术后成功率最高,Ⅳ型鼓室硬化最低。

言语测听与助听器干预及效果评估

言语测听是一种以标准化言语信号为基础的听力学测试方法,旨在评估听障患者对言语的辨别和理解能力。相比纯音测听,言语测听不仅能反映患者是否能听懂言语,还能反映患者的中枢听觉功能、认知功能等整合能力。言语测听在听力干预及康复中极为重要,尤其是在助听器干预方面。本文重点阐述言语测听在助听器验配前后及听力康复效果评估全过程中的应用,包括预测听障患者助听效果、辅助精准调试、评估助听干预效果、制订个性化康复方案以及提供长期随访量化指标等,旨在整体提升听障患者对听力干预效果的满意度。此外,未来的言语测听将借助个性化康复、社会参与和心理支持等方面的新技术和模式,进一步提升听障患者的生活质量和听力康复效果。

不同修补技术在较大鼓膜穿孔患者中的治疗效果及对听阈、鼓膜愈合的影响

目的探讨不同修补技术在较大鼓膜穿孔(TMP)患者中的治疗效果及对听阈、鼓膜愈合的影响。方法选取2022年1月至2023年2月120例较大TMP,按照随机数字表法分为3组,各40例。A组采取筛状软骨-软骨膜技术修补,B组采取软骨膜-软骨岛修补,C组采取栅栏软骨-软骨膜技术修补,术后均使用碱性成纤维细胞生长因子凝胶治疗。比较3组鼓膜愈合情况、围术期指标、手术前后听力情况[500、1000、2000、4000 Hz纯音听阈(PTA)、气-骨导差(ABG)平均值]、耳闷及并发症发生情况。结果A组鼓膜愈合率高于B组、C组,术中出血量少于B组、C组,手术时间、耳屏愈合时间、住院时间、术后干耳时间短于B组、C组(P<0.05)。A组术后1、3、6个月PTA、ABG平均值低于B组、C组(P<0.05);A组术后6个月耳闷程度低于B组、C组(P<0.05);A组并发症总发生率较B组、C组降低(P<0.05)。B组与C组上述指标比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论筛状软骨-软骨膜技术治疗较大TMP,能缩短手术时间,减少术中出血量,促进鼓膜愈合,改善耳闷,提高听力,并降低并发症风险。

航空机务人员噪声性听力损失的现状调查

目的探究噪声接触时长对听觉功能的影响,分析不同工龄航空机务人员的高频听力变化,明确噪声性听力损失的演变状况。方法依据工龄时间将187例男性航空机务人员分为0~5年(97例)、6~10年(43例)、>10年(47例)3组,进行纯音听力测试,分析各组单耳高频、双耳高频噪声性听力损失的发生率、高频平均听阈及听力损失演变情况。结果0~5年工龄组听力损失者26例,高频平均听阈为15.99±11.42 dB,单耳高频听力损失者12例,双耳高频听力损失者14例。6~10年工龄组听力损失者12例,高频平均听阈为15.90±10.89 dB,单耳高频听力损失者7例,双耳高频听力损失者5例。>10年工龄组听力损失者16例,高频平均听阈为20.56±12.61 dB,单耳高频听力损失者5例,双耳高频听力损失者11例。结论航空机务人员噪声性听力损失的发病率并未随工作时间延长而增加,高频气导平均听阈与工作时间呈显著相关性,发病多以单耳6 kHz开始,逐渐向其他高频扩展,随着噪声接触延长而发展为双耳噪声性聋且噪声性听力损失的程度逐渐加重。

听力正常的噪声暴露者1/24倍频程精细化纯音测听结果分析

目的用1/24倍频程精细化纯音测听对听力正常的噪声暴露者进行听力测试,了解听力正常的噪声暴露者的隐性听力损伤,为职业病的早期精准防护提供客观依据。方法选取2023年1月至10月我院228例听力正常的噪声暴露者和216例非噪声暴露者为研究对象,用1/24倍频程精细化纯音测听对其进行测试。结果结果显示,听力正常的噪声暴露者1/24倍频程精细化纯音测听异常率高于非噪声暴露者,并伴有焦虑、抑郁及睡眠障碍。结论听力正常的噪声暴露者存在隐性听力损失,建议对常规纯音测听检测听力正常的噪声暴露者加做1/24倍频程精细化纯音测听,以早期发现可能存在隐性听力损失的人群,为职业病的早期精准防护提供一种新的客观依据。

采用自动纯音测听的骨导听阈评估

实现了一种对非测试耳实施自适应掩蔽的骨导听阈自动测听方案,并开发了一套完整的基于个人终端的自动纯音测听程序。对20名正常听力受试者进行了自动测听,并与AC40临床听力计测听的结果对照。所估计的大多数气导听阈(96%)和骨导听阈(90%)与临床听力计测听结果差异在10 dB之内;且二者所测气、骨导听阈和气骨导(听阈)差的Bland-Altman图中数据基本位于95%置信区间范围内。与临床听力计测听的骨导听阈差的平均差均值和平均绝对差均值分别为-0.17 dB和4.52 dB,普遍小于已有的自动测听系统与临床听力计间的差异。