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Modification of the Threshold Equalising Noise (TEN) test for cochlear dead regions for use with steeply sloping high-frequency hearing loss

par Markessis, Emily ;Kapadia, Sarosh;Munro, Kevin;Moore, Brian B.C.J.
Référence International journal of audiology, 45, 2, page (91-98)
Publication Publié, 2006-02

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

Steeply sloping high-frequency hearing loss is often associated with cochlear dead regions. These can be identified by measuring pure-tone thresholds in quiet and in Threshold-Equalising Noise (TEN). However, many patients cannot be adequately tested because the low frequencies in the TEN lead to uncomfortable loudness. We investigated the effect of high-pass filtering on the TEN-test results and the loudness of the TEN. Twenty-four normally hearing subjects and 35 subjects with steeply sloping high-frequency hearing loss were tested, using the standard TEN (TENs), and TEN high-pass filtered at 0.5 kHz (TEN0.5) or 1 kHz (TEN1). For both groups, masked thresholds did not differ across noise types for frequencies above 1 kHz. Over 50% of the hearing-impaired ears tested met the criteria for a dead region at 4 kHz, using all three noise types. However, masked thresholds and the prevalence of positive TEN-test results at 1 kHz were both lower with the TEN1. The TEN1 was judged the most comfortable noise by 68% of the hearing-impaired subjects. We conclude that high-pass filtering would allow testing at higher TEN levels for patients with steeply sloping hearing loss. © 2006 British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society.