Effects of chronic noise exposure on speech-in-noise perception in the presence of normal audiometry

2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
A J Hope ◽  
L M Luxon ◽  
D-E Bamiou

AbstractObjective:To assess auditory processing in noise-exposed subjects with normal audiograms and compare the findings with those of non-noise-exposed normal controls.Methods:Ten noise-exposed Royal Air Force aircrew pilots were compared with 10 Royal Air Force administrators who had no history of noise exposure. Participants were matched in terms of age and sex. The subjects were assessed in terms of: pure tone audiometry, transient evoked otoacoustic emissions, suppression of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in contralateral noise and auditory processing task performance (i.e. masking, frequency discrimination, auditory attention and speech-in-noise).Results:All subjects had normal pure tone audiometry and transient evoked otoacoustic emissions amplitudes in both ears. The noise-exposed aircrew had similar pure tone audiometry thresholds to controls, but right ear transient evoked otoacoustic emissions were larger and speech-in-noise thresholds were elevated in the noise-exposed subjects compared to controls.Conclusion:The finding of poorer speech-in-noise perception may reflect noise-related impairment of auditory processing in retrocochlear pathways. Audiometry may not detect early, significant noise-induced hearing impairment.

2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (12) ◽  
pp. 1174-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Wooles ◽  
M Mulheran ◽  
P Bray ◽  
M Brewster ◽  
A R Banerjee

AbstractObjective:To examine whether distortion product otoacoustic emissions can serve as a replacement for pure tone audiometry in longitudinal screening for occupational noise exposure related auditory deficit.Methods:A retrospective review was conducted of pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emission data obtained sequentially during mandatory screening of brickyard workers (n = 16). Individual pure tone audiometry thresholds were compared with distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitudes, and a correlation of these measurements was conducted.Results:Pure tone audiometry threshold elevation was identified in 13 out of 16 workers. When distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitudes were compared with pure tone audiometry thresholds at matched frequencies, no evidence of a robust relationship was apparent. Seven out of 16 workers had substantial distortion product otoacoustic emissions with elevated pure tone audiometry thresholds.Conclusion:No clinically relevant predictive relationship between distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitude and pure tone audiometry threshold was apparent. These results do not support the replacement of pure tone audiometry with distortion product otoacoustic emissions in screening. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions at frequencies associated with elevated pure tone audiometry thresholds are evidence of intact outer hair cell function, suggesting that sites distinct from these contribute to auditory deficit following ototrauma.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Martha R. Westman ◽  
Daniel B. Putterman ◽  
Angela C. Garinis ◽  
Lisa L. Hunter ◽  
M. Patrick Feeney

Purpose Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) are often treated with intravenous (IV) aminoglycoside (AG) antibiotics to manage life-threatening bacterial infections. Preclinical animal data suggest that, in addition to damaging cochlear hair cells, this class of antibiotics may cause cochlear synaptopathy and/or damage to higher auditory structures. The acoustic reflex growth function (ARGF) is a noninvasive, objective measure of neural function in the auditory system. A shallow ARGF (small reflex-induced changes in middle ear function with increasing elicitor level) has been associated with synaptopathy due to noise exposure in rodent and human studies. In this study, the ARGF was obtained in CF patients with normal hearing, some of whom have been treated with IV AGs, and a control group without CF. The hypothesis was that patients with IV-AG exposure would have a shallow ARGF due to cochlear synaptopathy caused by ototoxicity. Method Wideband ARGFs were examined in four groups of normal-hearing participants: a control group of 29 individuals without CF; and in 57 individuals with CF grouped by lifetime IV-AG exposure: 15 participants with no exposure, 21 with low exposure, and 21 with high exposure. Procedures included pure-tone audiometry, clinical immittance, wideband acoustic immittance battery, including ARGFs, and transient evoked otoacoustic emissions. Results CF subjects with normal pure-tone thresholds and either high or low lifetime IV-AG exposure had enhanced ARGFs compared to controls and CF participants without IV-AG exposure. The groups did not differ in transient evoked otoacoustic emission signal-to-noise ratio. Conclusion These results diverge from the shallow ARGF pattern observed in studies of noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy and are suggestive of a central mechanism of auditory dysfunction in patients with AG-induced ototoxicity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 474-490
Author(s):  
Jorge Humberto Martins ◽  
Marisa Alves ◽  
Susana Andrade ◽  
Isabel Falé ◽  
António Teixeira

There is an increasing need for state-of-the-art Central Auditory Processing assessment for Portuguese native speakers, applicable as early as possible. As a contribution to answering this need, this paper presents a new battery for Central Auditory Processing assessment for European Portuguese applicable to children aged 5 and above, named BAPA-PE, providing information regarding test selection and development. The battery consists of six behavioral tests: Staggered Spondaic Words (SSW) for European Portuguese, Filtered Speech, Speech in Noise, Detection Interval in Noise, Duration, and Frequency Pattern. The normative data for children aged 5 to 12 are also reported. A sample was obtained of 217 subjects without ear pathology and with typical development. Each age group was composed of at least 30 children. All children were evaluated using pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, impedance, and otoacoustic emissions. Normative scores are reported for each of the six auditory processing tests. The assessment is applicable to young children (aged 5 and 6). The statistical analyses showed significant effects in scores of Age for all tests and of Ear for several tests. The main result from the work presented, the Auditory Processing Assessment Battery—European Portuguese (BAPA-PE), is available for clinical use with normative data. This battery is a new tool for behaviorism assessment of European Portuguese speakers with suspected central auditory pathology and for monitoring the results of auditory training.


Author(s):  
Eva Eadle D’Souza ◽  
Krishna Yerraguntla

Abstract Introduction Human auditory and vestibular systems change due to noise exposure. Professional musicians are often subjected to loud music and longer durations as part of their practice. Although the effects of music have been explored extensively on the auditory system, it is important to understand changes in the vestibular system also. The current study is aimed to compare cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) findings in nonmusicians and violinists to understand if there are any changes in the P1 and N1 latencies and absolute amplitudes in the violinists’ groups because of their exposure to violin music. Materials and Methods Twelve participants (6 nonmusicians and 6 violinists) of both genders were included in the study. Pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were performed on all the participants. cVEMP P1 and N1 latencies and absolute amplitudes were obtained, and overall mean differences were compared within and between groups. Results Pure tone average and DPOAE were within the normal range between and within the groups. Results indicate that P1 and N1 absolute amplitudes and latencies were slightly prolonged in the violinists’ group; however, the mean difference was not statistically significant. Comparison of mean absolute amplitudes and latencies between the ears in the violinists’ group showed longer latencies and greater absolute amplitudes in the left ear of violinists as compared with the right ear. In the study, the violinists’ group consisted of participants who had an average daily exposure of about one-and-a-half hours and had an experience of playing the instrument for more than 5 years. Conclusion cVEMP is useful in detecting early changes in the saccule that may occur due to noise exposure. It can be concluded that, even before a clinically detectable hearing loss or vestibular damage, changes in saccule are observed with the help of cVEMP and should be included in the audiovestibular test for early identification.


Author(s):  
Małgorzata Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska ◽  
Małgorzata Zamojska-Daniszewska ◽  
Adam Dudarewicz ◽  
Kamil Zaborowski

The objective of this study was to assess the hearing of music students in relation to their exposure to excessive sounds. A standard pure-tone audiometry, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were determined in 163 students of music academies, aged 22.8 ± 2.6 years. A questionnaire survey and sound pressure level measurements during solo and group playing were also conducted. The control group comprised 67 subjects, mainly non-music students, aged 22.8 ± 3.3 years. Study subjects were exposed to sounds at the A-weighted weekly noise exposure level (LEX,w) from 75 to 106 dB. There were no significant differences in the hearing thresholds between groups in the frequency range of 4000–8000 Hz. However, music students compared to control group exhibited lower values of DPOAE amplitude (at 6000 and 7984 Hz) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (at 984, 6000, and 7984 Hz) as well as SNR of TEOAE (in 1000 Hz band). A significant impact of noise exposure level, type of instrument, and gender on some parameters of measured otoacoustic emissions was observed. In particular, music students having LEX,w ≥ 84.9 dB, compared to those with LEX,w < 84.9 dB, achieved significantly lower DPOAE amplitude at 3984 Hz. Meanwhile, both TEOAE and DPOAE results indicated worse hearing in students playing percussion instruments vs. wind instruments, and wind instrument players vs. students playing stringed instruments.


2011 ◽  
Vol 125 (7) ◽  
pp. 692-695
Author(s):  
O T Dale ◽  
L J McCann ◽  
D Thio ◽  
S C Wells ◽  
A J Drysdale

AbstractObjective:This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing as a screening tool for hearing loss in children, after grommet insertion.Method:A prospective study was conducted of 48 children (91 ears) aged three to 16 years who had undergone grommet insertion for glue ear. At post-operative review, pure tone audiometry was performed followed by transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing. Outcomes for both tests, in each ear, were compared.Results:The pure tone audiometry threshold was ≤20 dB in 85 ears (93.4 per cent), 25 dB in two ears (2.2 per cent) and ≥30 dB in four ears (4.4 per cent). Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions were detected in 69 ears (75.8 per cent). The sensitivity of transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing for detecting hearing loss was 100 per cent for ≥30 dB loss but only 66.7 per cent for ≥25 dB loss.Conclusion:Transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing offers a sensitive means of detecting hearing loss of ≥30 dB following grommet insertion in children. However, the use of such testing as a screening tool may miss some cases of mild hearing loss.


Author(s):  
Nuriye Yıldırım Gökay ◽  
Bülent Gündüz ◽  
Fatih Söke ◽  
Recep Karamert

Purpose The effects of neurological diseases on the auditory system have been a notable issue for investigators because the auditory pathway is closely associated with neural systems. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the efferent auditory system function and hearing quality in Parkinson's disease (PD) and to compare the findings with age-matched individuals without PD to present a perspective on aging. Method The study included 35 individuals with PD (mean age of 48.50 ± 8.00 years) and 35 normal-hearing peers (mean age of 49 ± 10 years). The following tests were administered for all participants: the first section of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale; pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflexes; and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and contralateral suppression of DPOAEs. SPSS Version 25 was used for statistical analyses, and values of p < .05 were considered statistically significant. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the pure-tone audiometry thresholds and DPOAE responses between the individuals with PD and their normal-hearing peers ( p = .732). However, statistically significant differences were found between the groups in suppression levels of DPOAEs and hearing quality ( p < .05). In addition, a statistically significant and positive correlation was found between the amount of suppression at some frequencies and the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale scores. Conclusions This study indicates that medial olivocochlear efferent system function and the hearing quality of individuals with PD were affected adversely due to the results of PD pathophysiology on the hearing system. For optimal intervention and follow-up, tasks related to hearing quality in daily life can also be added to therapies for PD.


Author(s):  
Л. Е. Голованова ◽  
Е. А. Огородникова ◽  
Н. С. Белокурова ◽  
Е. С. Лаптева ◽  
М. Ю. Бобошко

Целью исследования был сравнительный анализ жалоб и аудиологических показателей у пациентов сурдологического центра в зависимости от возраста. Представлены результаты обследования 300 первичных пациентов (случайная выборка), обратившихся к сурдологу-оториноларингологу в течение 1 мес. В группу молодых пациентов (19-44 года) вошли 40 человек; в группу среднего возраста (45- 59 лет) - 62 человека; в группу пожилых (60-74 года) - 100 человек; в группу старческого возраста (75-90 лет) - 98 человек. Обследование включало сбор жалоб и анамнеза, ЛОР-осмотр, тональную пороговую аудиометрию, импедансометрию, речевую аудиометрию в наушниках для выявления признаков центральных слуховых расстройств или в свободном звуковом поле для оценки эффективности слухопротезирования. Установлено, что для ранней диагностики тугоухости и профилактики возрастных сенсорнокогнитивных дисфункций целесообразно использовать не только результаты тональной пороговой аудиометрии, но и данные речевой аудиометрии, а также анализ субъективных жалоб. Результаты работы свидетельствуют о необходимости организации скрининга состояния слуха в рамках диспансеризации населения старше 60 лет. The aim of the study was a comparative analysis of complaints and audiological findings in patients of the audiological center depending on their age. The results of the examination of 300 fi rstly consulted patients (random sample) are presented. The group of young patients (19-44 years) included 40 people; middle age (45-59 years) - 62 people; elderly (60-74 years) - 100 people; senile age (75-90 years) - 98 people. The survey included the collection of complaints and anamnesis, ENT checkup, pure tone audiometry, impedancemetry, speech audiometry in headphones to detect the signs of Central Auditory Processing Disorder or in the free sound field to assess the effectiveness of hearing aids. It was found that for early diagnosis of hearing loss and prevention of age-related sensory-cognitive dysfunction, it is advisable to use not only the results of pure tone audiometry, but also the data of speech audiometry, as well as the analysis of subjective complaints. The results of the work indicate the need for hearing screening in the population over 60 years old.


2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Marlanie Govender ◽  
Cyril Devdas Govender ◽  
Glenda Matthews

Objective: To evaluate cochlear functioning in patients (18 - 45 years old) with varying stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Using purposive sampling, 50 participants, 10 in each of the 5 stages of CKD, were selected and underwent pure tone audiometric testing and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs).Results: Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between pure tone audiometry and DPOAEs in detecting early cochlear dysfunction in the high-frequency range in stages 3 (6 000/5 000 Hz; p=0.00), 4 (6 000/5 000 Hz; p<0.03) and 5 (4 000/3 333 Hz; p<0.01, 8 000/6 667 Hz:p<0.05) with DPOAEs being more sensitive in identifying early cochlear dysfunction. Patients in stages 1 and 2 presented with normal puretone thresholds and DPOAEs, suggesting that cochlear functioning in these patients was normal. Early cochlear dysfunction, thereby indicating a subclinical hearing loss, was identified in stages 3, 4 and 5 by DPOAE testing. In addition, blood test results, drug intake and concomitant conditions were recorded and analysed which suggested a relationship between reduced cochlear functioning and increased electrolyte levels, treatment regimens and concomitant conditions.Conclusion: Participants in the later stages of CKD presented with early cochlear dysfunction, presenting with subclinical hearing loss. It was postulated that this subclinical hearing loss resulted from a combination of electrolytic, urea and creatinine imbalances, together with concomitant medical conditions and ototoxic drug intake. It was concluded that audiological monitoring be included in the management of patients with CKD and that DPOAEs be introduced as part of the test battery to monitor cochlear function in patients with varying degrees of CKD.


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