Reference threshold sound-pressure levels for the TDH-50 and ER-3A earphones

Abstract

Reference threshold sound-pressure levels were established for a new insert earphone, the ER-3A tubephone, and for the TDH-50 earphone. In test-retest comparisons, the tubephone produced estimates of auditory threshold as reliable as the thresholds produced by the supraaural earphone. Reference thresholds were developed for the two earphones from data contributed by three laboratories. While the TDH-50 data are in good agreement with the provisional ANSI 6-cc coupler reference levels (ASHA, 1982), the ER-3A data are at variance with the manufacturer's provisional recommendation for 2-cc coupler reference thresholds for frequencies below 1 kHz. The differences are attributed to physiologic noise that masked the lower frequency thresholds.

Influência do tipo de transdutor na deficiência auditiva de grau profundo

“…As the external auditory meatus is smaller and shorter in women than in men, it can be inferred that the residual space in the auditory meatus after the insertion of the sponge plug is also smaller in women, which would contribute toward a reduction in the amount of physiological noise in this space and would consequently enable obtaining lower thresholds. (9) This may explain the finding in the present study of significantly poorer thresholds with insert earphones among men when compared to the supra-aural earphones, whereas, for women, the results between transducers were similar or better with the insert earphones when compared to the supra-aural earphones.…”

“…(4,5,6,7) However, a number of authors cite the disadvantages of insert earphones, such as the geometric variability of the external auditory meatus, insufficient dynamic range at high frequencies and problems related to hygiene with the use of sponge plugs. (1,8,9,10) The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of transducer type on the acquisition of hearing thresholds in individuals with severe neurosensory hearing impairment, comparing the responses between the use of TDH-39 supra-aural earphones and ER-3A insert earphones.…”

Fones De Inserção E Fones Supra-Aurais: Avaliação Audiológica Em Idosos

“…Finally, the use of insert earphones allows greater attenuation of external noise, reflected in lower auditory thresholds [8][9][10][11][12][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] .…”

“…For use of the ER-3A insert earphones in equipment calibrated to the supra-aural and/or without automatic conversion headphones, the equipment manufacturer has recommended the use of correction factors to be added to the hearing threshold as described below 21 .…”

A comparison of test–retest variability and time efficiency of auditory thresholds measured with pure tone audiometry and new early warning test

“…Results revealed high test-retest consistency for the three transducers in both group of subjects. Another study reported test-retest data for 30 normal hearing adults using a standard clinical audiometer equipped with Telephonics TDH-50 supra-aural headphone and an Etymotic ER-3A insert earphone [20]. They concluded that insert ER-3A insert earphones produced estimates of auditory threshold similar to the TDH-50 earphone.…”