Creator

Katie Ranshaw

First Advisor

Meinke, Deanna K.

Second Advisor

Bright, Kathryn

Date Created

5-2019

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide extended high-frequency (EHF) data using two methods of automated Békésy audiometry performed on the MADSEN Astera 2 audiometer. Thirty-two adult participants were divided into 4 age groups: 18-30 (n = 10), 31-40 (n = 9), 41-50 (n = 4), and 51-65 years (n = 9). Participants were selected based on normal hearing (25 dB HL or better for the 250 Hz to 4,000 Hz frequency range) and absence of significant history for middle ear disorders, family hearing-related disease, excessive noise exposure, and use of ototoxic drugs. EHF hearing thresholds were delivered via Sennheiser HDA200 headphones for frequencies between 6,000 Hz and 16,000 Hz. Thresholds were compared using two test methods: the conventional manual Hughson-Westlake test method and automated Békésy fixed-frequency audiometry with a pulsed stimulus. The results were consistent with past research indicating that hearing thresholds worsen with advancing age. Hearing thresholds for the two test methods differed by 0-10 dB. Additionally, two Békésy tracking methods were completed using pulsed and continuous pure tones: a fixed-frequency method and a sweeping frequency method. The threshold tracings for fixed-frequency Békésy tracking audiometry were analyzed for visual observational differences in the pulsed and continuous tracings. For the majority of the participants (n = 17), tracings were iv comparable for all frequencies. Pulsed and continuous tracings for automated Békésy tracking audiometry in the sweeping condition were categorized by Jerger (1960) type classifications. Results for 90% (n = 29) of the participants were classified as Jerger type I, while results for three participants were classified as Type II (associated with cochlear hearing losses). The results and data collected in this study fill a gap in the literature for this type of automated testing and frequency range on the MADSEN Astera 2 audiometer.

Extent

114 pages

Local Identifiers

RanshawCapstone19.pdf

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Share

COinS