Extended high-frequency bone conduction audiometry Calibration of bone conductor transducers in the conventional and extended high-frequency range

Koenraad S. Rhebergen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To monitor ototoxicity, air conduction (AC) extended high frequency (EHF) thresholds can be measured up to 16 kHz. However, conductive hearing loss might influence these results. This is unfortunate because the EHF thresholds are important to follow the impact of ototoxic medication during therapy. Therefore a suitable bone conduction (BC) transducer and norm values for EHF BC measurements are needed. Design: In this study three different BC transducers were used: the B71 (Radioear), the KH70 (Präcitronic), and the KLH96 (Westra). Hearing thresholds were measured from 0.125 to 16 kHz using AC transducers (Telephonics TDH39, Sennheiser HDA200), and BC thresholds from 0.25 to 8 kHz with the B71, and from 0.25 to 16 kHz with the KLH96 and KH70. Study sample: 60 ears of 30 normal hearing subjects were measured. Results: The KLH96 showed the highest output for the high frequencies, and distortion measurements were similar to the KH70. The results show that EHF measurements are possible using the KLH96 and KH70 bone conductors. Conclusion: EHF BC measurements are reliable when using the KLH96 and KH70 bone conductors. The extended force sensitivity of the used artificial mastoid should be determined for a proper EHF BC calibration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)182-191
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Audiology
Volume62
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Bone conduction thresholds between 250Hz and 16kHz
  • Calibration bone conductors
  • extended high-frequency audiometry
  • ‘false’ air-bone gap at 4kHz

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