The relationship between distortion product otoacoustic emissions and audiometric thresholds in the extended high-frequency range
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and behavioral audiometry are routinely used for hearing screening and assessment. These measures provide related information about hearing status as both are sensitive to cochlear pathologies. However, DPOAE testing is quicker and does not require a behavioral response. Despite these practical advantages, DPOAE testing is often limited to screening only low- and mid-frequencies. Variation in ear canal acoustics across ears and probe placements has resulted in less reliable measurements of DPOAEs near 4 kHz and above where standing waves commonly occur. Stimulus calibration in forward pressure level and responses in emitted pressure level can reduce measurement variability. Using these calibrations, this study assessed the correlation between audiometry and DPOAEs in the extended high frequencies where stimulus calibrations and responses are most susceptible to the effect of standing waves. Behavioral thresholds and DPOAE amplitudes were negatively correlated, and DPOAE amplitudes in emitted pressure level accounted for twice as much variance as amplitudes in conventional sound pressure level units. Both measures were correlated with age. These data show that extended high-frequency DPOAEs are sensitive to differences in audiometric thresholds and highlight the need to consider calibration techniques in clinical and research applications of DPOAEs.
DOI: 10.1121/10.0036143
Institutions: Purdue University West Lafayette, University of Pittsburgh
Language: English
Subfield: Sensory Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4408621379