Prediction of hearing thresholds: Comparison of cortical evoked response audiometry and auditory steady state response audiometry techniques

The present study evaluated how well auditory steady state response (ASSR) and tone burst cortical evoked response audiometry (CERA) thresholds predict behavioral thresholds in the same participants. A total of 63 ears were evaluated. For ASSR testing, 100% amplitude modulated and 10% frequency modulated tone stimuli at a modulation frequency of 40Hz were used. Behavioral thresholds were closer to CERA thresholds than ASSR thresholds. ASSR and CERA thresholds were closer to behavioral thresholds at higher frequencies than at lower frequencies. Although predictions based on CERA thresholds are slightly more accurate than ASSR thresholds, the differences may not be clinically significant, particularly when the degree of individual variations is considered. Prediction of hearing thresholds became more accurate when hearing loss increased. Due to variations in prediction across participants, a single correction factor cannot be used. Other factors must be considered in selecting whether to use CERA or ASSR in predicting behavioral thresholds.     

不同听力损失耳听觉稳态诱发反应阈值与纯音听阈的比较

目的研究不同听力损失耳的听觉稳态诱发反应(auditory steady-state evoked response,ASSR)与纯音听阈的关系,为客观的听力评估提供指导。方法对67例(103耳)不同听力损失耳分别行ASSR与纯音测听检查,比较ASSR分别在0.5、1、24、kHz频率处的反应阈值与纯音听阈的相关性及差值。结果ASSR的反应阈与纯音听阈在0.5、1、24、kHz频率处的相关系数分别为0.84、0.83、0.89、0.91,呈极显著相关(P<0.01);ASSR的反应阈与纯音听阈在0.5、1、2、4 kHz频率处的差值在轻度耳聋组分别为(11.2±3.5)dBHL、(12.9±3.7)dBHL、(13.6±4.1)dBHL、(13.4±4.5)dBHL;在中度耳聋组分别为(3.4±4.6)dBHL,(4.9±4.3)dBHL,(6.8±5.7)dBHL,(7.1±5.6)dBHL;在重度耳聋组分别为(1.5±3.1)dBHL,(3.4±2.1)dBHL,(2.9±2.3)dBHL,(1.2±2.6)dBHL;其中轻度耳聋组的ASSR的反应阈与纯音听阈的平均差值与重度耳聋组的平均差值有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论ASSR反应阈与纯音听阈有显著相关性,随着听力损失的加重,ASSR反应阈愈接近纯音听阈,ASSR可作为不同听力损失者客观的听力评估。     

Evoked response audiometry in patients with peripheral hearing loss

The acoustically-evoked vertex response has been studied in normally-hearing subjects and those with peripheral hearing losses, including both sensorineural and conductive losses. Comparison of evoked response (ERA) thresholds with those determined by conventional manual (subjective) audiometry give results similar to those obtained by other workers. Of particular note was an ability to demonstrate an increase in amplitude and a reduction in latency of the evoked response when the ear was occluded in subjects with normal sound transmitting mechanisms, but not in cases of conductive hearing losses. Thus we are now able to perform the Bing test objectively.     

声场中记录的听性稳态助听反应阈与行为测试助听听阈的相关性

目的 应用多频听觉稳态反应(ASSR)Chirp刺激信号在声场中测试助听反应阈,观察其阈值与行为测试助听听阈的相关性,探讨多频听觉稳态反应Chirp刺激信号声场测试评估助听器补偿效果的临床意义.方法 选取22例(39耳)重度感音神经性听力损失、已配戴助听器的患儿(听障组)和16例(32耳)听力正常儿童(对照组)为研究对象.应用国际听力Eclipse EP25型多频稳态诱发电位仪及美国GSI-61型听力计,分别对听障组在声场中使用两种仪器测试助听听阈;对对照组进行裸耳行为听阈与声场中听觉稳态反应阈测试.结果 在0.5、1、2、4 kHz处,听障组ASSR助听反应阈与行为助听听阈的相关系数分别为0.65、0.68、0.77和0.82,P值均<0.01,显示两种测试结果有相关性;对照组裸耳行为听阈与声场中记录的听觉稳态反应阈在0.5、1、2、4 kHz配对t检验均呈显著差异(P<0.01),ASSR声场反应阈高于行为听阈20～30 dB HL.结论 应用多频听觉稳态反应Chirp刺激信号声场测试进行助听器补偿效果评估在临床上具有可行性.     

多频稳态诱发电位和听性脑干反应对感音神经性聋儿童客观听阈的评估

目的比较多频稳态诱发电位(MASSR)与短纯音听性脑干反应(Tb-ABR)对感音神经性聋儿童客观听阈的评估。方法对37名感音神经性聋儿童分别测试MASSR反应阈、Tb-ABR反应阈和行为听阈,参照行为听阈,比较MASSR反应阈和Tb ABR反应阈对行为听阈评估的准确性。结果MASSR反应阈、Tb-ABR反应阈和行为听阈之间均有较高的相关性。二者在频率为2、4kHz时,对行为听阈的评估具有相似的准确性;但在频率为0.5、1kHz时,MASSR的准确性较Tb ABR的准确性高。结论MASSR和Tb-ABR均可用作感音神经性聋儿童言语频率客观听阈的评估,但MASSR在低频(0.5、1kHz)时较Tb-ABR的准确性高。     

感音神经性聋儿多频稳态诱发电位及短纯音听性脑干反应与行为测听的相关性

目的 比较多频稳态诱发电位（MASSR）、短纯音听性脑干反应（Tb—ABR）与感音神经性聋儿行为测试听阈的差值．研究MASSR和Tb—ABR反应阈与行为听阈之间是否存在相关性以及在不同听力损失聋儿、不同的频率之间的差异。方法 对60名感音神经性聋儿分别测试MASSR和Tb—ABR反应阈和行为听阈，评价MASSR反应阈、Tb—ABR反应阈与行为听阈的相关性。结果 MASSR反应阈、Tb—ABR反应阈和行为听阈之间均有较高的相关性。二者在频率为2、4kHz时，对行为听阈的预测具有相似的、较高的准确性；但在频率为0．5、1kHz时，MASSR的准确性较Tb—ABR高。结论 MASSR和Tb—ABR均可用作感音神经性聋儿言语频率客观听阈的预测，为低龄儿童及难以检测行为听力的患儿提供诊断依据。     

听性稳态反应在新生儿听力评估中的应用

目的 探讨听性稳态反应(auditory steady-state responses,ASSR)在新生儿听力评估中的准确性及应用价值.方法 对30例(60耳)畸变产物耳声发射(distortion product otoacoustic emission,DPOAE)正常的新生儿和45例(78耳)DPOAE异常的新生儿进行ASSR与听性脑干反应(auditory brainstem response audiome-try,ABR)测试,比较ASSR与ABR阈值差异有无统计学意义,并进行两者反应阈的相关性分析.结果 ①DPOAE正常组:ASSR 250 Hz反应阈与ABR阈值差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),ASSR平均阈值及4 000 Hz反应阈与ABR阈值差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),ASSR的250、500、1 000 Hz反应阈与ABR阈值相关性不明显,但2 000、4 000 Hz反应阈与ABR阈值有明显的相关性;②DPOAE异常组:ASSR的250～4 000 Hz阈值及平均阈值与ABR阈值差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).ASSR各频率反应阈与ABR阈值均有显著的相关性.结论 ASSR可以比较准确地评估听力筛查正常新生儿的平均听阈和中、高频听阈以及听力筛查未通过新生儿的各频率听阈.     

Comparison of hearing recovery criteria in sudden sensorineural hearing loss

The countless methods available to analyze hearing recovery in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) cases hinder the comparison of the various treatments found in the literature.ObjectiveThis paper aims to compare the different criteria for hearing recovery in ISSHL found in the literature.Materials and MethodsThis is an observational clinical cohort study from a prospective protocol in patients with ISSHL, treated between 2000 and 2010. Five criteria were considered for significant hearing recovery and four for complete recovery by pure tone audiometry, using non-parametric tests and multiple comparisons at a significance level of 5%. After determining the stricter criteria for hearing recovery, vocal audiometry parameters were added.ResultsThere was a significant difference between the criteria (p < 0.001) as they were analyzed together. Mild auditory recovery occurred in only 35 (27.6%) patients. When speech audiometry was added, only 34 patients (26.8%) showed significant improvement.ConclusionsThere is a lack of consistency among the criteria used for hearing recovery. The criterion of change of functional category by one degree into at least mild hearing recovery was the stricter. Speech audiometry did not prove essential to define significant hearing recovery.     

听力损失与突发性聋预后的关系

目的：探索听力损失对突发性聋预后的影响。方法:对146例（167耳）突聋患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,应用SAS 统计软件对纯音听阈情况与预后的关系进行统计学处理。结果:单因素分析显示,初诊时听力损失曲线为全聋型,纯音高频听阈（4?000?Hz及8?000?Hz）损失较重,高频听阈（4?000?Hz+8?000?Hz）大于低频(250?Hz+500?Hz)听阈的患者预后不佳;多因素分析显示,8?000?Hz的听阈水平与预后关系最为密切,其次为4?000?Hz听阈及听力损失类型。结论：从单、多因素分析的结果可以看出,对突聋应采用多因素逐步分析的方法进行研究,以使预后和疗效评估更具准确性和客观性;高频听力损失程度是突发性聋预后的一个可靠评估因素。     

慢性化脓性中耳炎与感音神经性聋的相关性分析

目的：探讨慢性化脓性中耳炎与感音神经性聋之间的相关性。方法：回顾分析174例单侧慢性化脓性中耳炎患者的骨导阈值改变。采用配对t检验分析0．5kHz，1．0kHz，2．0kHz，4．0kHz患耳与健耳骨导阈值的差异，单因素方差分析法分析胆脂瘤存在及听骨链破坏对语频(0．5kHz，1．0kHz，2．0kHz)和4．0kHz骨导阈值的影响，直线回归法讨论了语频和4．0kHz骨导阈值改变与年龄和病程之间的相关性。结果：患耳与健耳各频率骨导阈值之间差异有统计学意义。语频骨导听力损失程度随着患者年龄的增加而逐渐加重。胆脂瘤的存在以及听骨链破坏亦未增加感音神经性聋的发生概率。结论：慢性化脓性中耳炎可引起感音神经性聋。高频骨导听阈较低频更易受到影响。     

成人感音神经性聋听觉稳态诱发反应阈值与纯音听阈值比较

目的：测定成人感音神经性聋患者听觉稳态诱发反应（ASSR）和纯音听阈值,为临床诊断提供客观依据。方法：选成人感音神经性聋患者33例（65耳）,行ASSR阈值纯音听测试。结果：ASSR、纯音听阈值对比有统计学意义,听阈有显著相关性,0．5、1．0、2．0、4．0kHz频区间相关系数分别为：0．769、0．772、0．743、0．756。ASSR阈值较行为阈值高,ASSR阈值与纯音听阈间差值多在3．0～10．0dB HL之间。在0．5、1．0、2．0、4．0kHz频区间分剐为：4．77、8．83、6．49、3．67dB HL,随频率增高,两者的差异有缩小趋势。结论：成人感音神经性聋患者ASSR阈值与纯音听阈间对比有统计学意义,通过测试ASSR阈值可推断出被检查者纯音听阈的阈值。     

多频稳态诱发电位(ASSR)的临床应用研究(36例极重度感音神经性耳聋幼儿及32例成人感音神经性耳聋患者ASSR测试结果分析)

目的旨在探讨ASSR与ABR在极重度感音神经性耳聋幼儿及成人感音神经性耳聋患者测试中的临床应用价值.方法对36例(72耳)小于3岁极重度感音神经性耳聋幼儿分别行ASSR和ABR测试;对32例(64耳)成人感音神经性耳聋患者分别行ASSR和电测听测试.结果①极重度感音神经性耳聋幼儿ABR均未引出V波,而ASSR在0.5 kHz、1 kHz、2 kHz、4 kHz的引出率分别为66.67%、86.11%、88.89%、94.44%,ASSR在0.5 kHz、1 kHz、2 kHz、4 kHz的阈值均数、标准差分别为82.56±9.26 dB HL、90.31±6.94 dB HL、88.12±7.93 dB HL、88.62±8.12 dB HL.②对成人感音神经性耳聋患者0.5 kHz、1 kHz、2 kHz、4 kHz ASSR测试阈值与电测听语频听阈(dB HL)进行配对两两比较的t检验,各组P值均大于0.05,无显著性差异.结论ASSR有助于极重度感音神经性耳聋幼儿残余听力的客观评估,尤以高频听阈为佳;ASSR与电测听在感音神经性耳聋诊断上有良好的一致性.     

Clinical features of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in diabetic patients

OBJECTIVES: Clinical studies of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) rarely focus on diabetic patients. We attempted to elucidate the clinical features of SSNHL in diabetic patients and to evaluate the factors influencing hearing deficits. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS: A retrospective review of diabetic patients with SSNHL was conducted at National Taiwan University Hospital from 1984 to 2003. The demographic and clinical characteristics, audiometries, and course of hearing recovery were reviewed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients (38 men and 29 women) with a mean age of 60.1 +/-11.9 years were recruited. The mean duration of diabetes was 7. 5 +/- 7.7 years. The mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) at admission were 12.4 +/- 5.3 mmol/L, 14.5 +/- 5.4 mmol/L, and 9.9 +/- 2.9 mmol/L, respectively. Profound hearing loss was very common in this series (44.8%). Hearing impairment was also noted in the opposite ear, especially in the high frequencies. Presenting symptoms, the duration of diabetes, the FPG, and the HbA1C had no significant correlations with the severity of hearing loss. After adjusting for sex and age, a high PPG level was significantly associated with opposite-ear hearing deficits in the middle frequencies. In follow-up, the low and middle tone hearing thresholds in the lesion ears improved more than that at high frequencies, but they still did not return to baseline. Hearing consistently improved within 2 months after disease onset, but improvements were rare thereafter. With suitable treatment, optimal glycemic control could be achieved even under high-dose steroid regimens. CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic patients with SSNHL, hearing loss in the contralateral ear and the profound type hearing loss in the lesion ear were commonly noted. The age and PPG level had significant correlations to contra-ear hearing loss. The poor prognosis of sudden deafness in diabetes patients may be caused by preexisting microvascular lesions in the inner ear, and the PPG level could be a risk factor indicator for cochlear dysfunction in diabetic patients. High-dose glucocorticoid should not be contraindicant in diabetic patients with SSNHL. Whether a longer duration of treatment will result in more hearing improvement is worthy of further study.     

False air-bone gaps at 4 kHz in listeners with normal hearing and sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Objective: This report presents data from four studies to examine standard bone-conduction reference equivalent threshold force levels (RETFL), especially at 4 kHz where anomalous air-bone gaps are common. Design: Data were mined from studies that obtained air- and bone-conduction thresholds from normal-hearing and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) participants, using commercial audiometers and standard audiometric transducers. Study sample: There were 249 normal-hearing and 188 SNHL participants. Results: (1) Normal-hearing participants had small air-bone gaps at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz (‐1.7 to 0.3 dB) and larger air-bone gaps at 4 kHz (10.6 dB). (2) SNHL participants had small air-bone gaps at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz (‐0.7 to 1.7 dB) and a larger air-bone gap at 4 kHz (14.1 dB). (3) The 4-kHz air-bone gap grew with air-conduction threshold from 10.1 dB when the air-conduction threshold was 5–10 dB HL to 21.1 dB when the air-conduction threshold was greater than 60 dB. (4) With the 4-kHz RETFL corrected by the average SNHL air-bone gap, the relationship between RETFL and frequency is linear with a slope of ? 12 dB per octave. Conclusions: The 4-kHz air-bone gaps for listeners with SNHL could be avoided by adjusting the 4-kHz RETFL by ? 14.1 dB.     

Analysis of p1 latency in normal hearing and profound sensorineural hearing loss

Objectives

P1 is a robust positivity at a latency of 50-150 msec in the auditory evoked potential of young children. It has been reported that over the first 2-3 years of life, there is a rapid decrease of the latency and the mean P1 latency in adults with normal hearing is approximately 60 msec. This study was designed to evaluate the change of the P1 latency in Koreans with normal hearing according to age and to compare this with the P1 latency of young patients with profound sensorineural hearing loss before and/or after cochlear implantation.

Methods

Among the patients who visited the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Seoul National University Hospital from June 2007 to September 2009, the P1 response was recorded in 53 patients in the normal hearing group, in 13 patients in the pre-cochlear implantation (CI) group and in 10 patients in the post-CI group. A synthesized consonant-vowel syllable /ba/ was used to elicit the evoked responses. The evoked responses were collected using the center of the frontal head. For each subject, an individual grand average waveform was computed by averaging the ten recordings. The P1 latency was visually identified as a robust positivity in the waveform.

Results

For the normal hearing group, the P1 latency showed the pattern of shortening as the age increased (coefficient, -0.758; P<0.001). For the pre-CI group, 10 cases showed delayed latencies and 3 cases did not show the P1 wave. For the post-CI group, the P1 latencies showed a less delayed tendency than those of the pre-CI group, but this was not statistically different.

Conclusion

This report provides the standard value of the P1 latency at each age in Koreans for the first time and the findings support that the maturation of the central auditory pathways could be measured objectively using the P1 latency.     

双侧与单侧突发性聋的临床特点及疗效分析

目的：分析与比较双侧与单侧突发性聋的临床特点与疗效。方法：对333例突发性聋患者（单侧315例，双侧18例）资料进行回顾性研究。结果：双侧突发性聋占突发性聋患者的5．4％，单侧和双侧突发性聋的发病年龄、性别比例、就诊时间、伴随症状差异无统计学意义。5例（27．8％）双侧突发性聋患者并发有糖尿病，概率高于单侧的9．8％（P〈0．05）。单侧者突发性聋的听力损失程度比双侧者严重，但它的疗效较好（二者总有效率分别为58．4％和13．9％）。就诊越早，越早使用激素，突发性聋的疗效越好。结论：单侧突发性聋更常见，双侧突发性聋并发糖尿病者更多。双侧突发性聋预后比单侧差。越早激素治疗疗效越好。     

Speech perception with steeply sloping hearing loss: effects of frequency transposition

Six adults with a very steeply sloping high-frequency hearing loss listened to monosyllabic words in several conditions. In the first condition, their ability to identify phonemes with a signal-to-noise ratio of 6 dB was measured. Results were similar to those of normally hearing subjects listening to the same material through low-pass filters having comparable cut-off frequencies. In the remaining two conditions, four of the hearing-impaired subjects, and a control group of five normally hearing subjects, listened to speech in quiet with and without frequency transposition. The transposition lowered all speech frequencies by a factor of 0.6. Specific auditory training with transposed speech materials different from the materials used in the tests of speech perception was provided in 10 sessions, each of one hour's duration, which were scheduled at weekly intervals. Despite this training, no significant differences were found between the two conditions in these subjects' recognition of words. It is concluded that such a frequency-transposition scheme, if implemented in a wearable hearing aid, would be unlikely to benefit people with a sloping hearing impairment of this type.