Clinical measures for investigating hidden hearing loss

Authors

  • Pernille Holtegaard Hearing Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
  • Josefine J. Jensen Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Bastian Epp Hearing Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Keywords:

Hidden hearing loss, Auditory brainstem response, noise-induced neural degeneration, Speech recognition in noise, Tinnitus

Abstract

The present study compared clinical measures of auditory function in two listener groups prone to hidden hearing loss relative to a control group: a) listeners with tinnitus, and b) listeners with a history of noise-exposure. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave I, III and V were measured in response to a 4-kHz tone burst to quantify the level-growth of wave I and the amplitude difference between waves I-III and I-V. In addition, speech-in-noise performance using “Dantale I” and the Danish hearing in noise test (HINT) were assessed. The ABR wave-I level growth showed no difference between the tinnitus-, noise-exposed- and control group. The listeners with tinnitus had, however, significantly larger wave I-III differences indicating a gain at brainstem level. While the ABR results support that the wave I-III difference can be used as a physiological indicator of tinnitus, none of the applied audiological methods show signs of a noise-induced hidden hearing loss in the tested listener groups.

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Adaptive processes in hearing

Additional Files

Published

2018-02-06

How to Cite

Holtegaard, P., Jensen, J. J., & Epp, B. (2018). Clinical measures for investigating hidden hearing loss. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, 6, 199–206. Retrieved from https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2017-24

Issue

Vol. 6 (2017): Adaptive Processes in Hearing

Section

2017/4. Assessment of specific auditory functions and hearing ability

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