Towards the preferred stimulus parameters for distortion product otoacoustic emissions in adults: A preliminary study

• Main Authors: Lucretia Petersen, Wayne J. Wilson, Harsha Kathard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AOSIS 2018-07-01
• Series: South African Journal of Communication Disorders
• Subjects: distortion product otoacoustic emissions; stimulus parameters; adults; test-retest reliability
• Online Access: https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/585
• ISSN: 0379-8046; 2225-4765

Background: Although distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) are useful in evaluating cochlear outer hair cell function, determining the optimal stimulus parameters could result in a more reliable, sensitive and specific diagnostic tool across the range of DPOAE applications.   Objectives: To identify which stimulus parameters warrant further investigation for eliciting the largest and most reliable DPOAEs in adult humans.   Method: A single group, repeated measures design involving a convenience sample of 20 normal-hearing participants between 19 and 24 years of age.   Results: Descriptive statistics and mixed model analyses suggested L1/L2 intensity levels of 65/65 dB sound pressure level (SPL) and 65/55 dB SPL, and f2/f1 ratios of 1.18, 1.20 and 1.22 elicited larger and more reliable DPOAEs in both ears.   Conclusion: Further investigation of the 65/65 dB SPL and 65/55 dB SPL intensity levels and the 1.18, 1.20 and 1.22 f2/f1 ratios is warranted to determine the stimulus parameters for eliciting the largest and most reliable DPOAEs in adult humans across the range of DPOAE applications.