Relationship between distortion product otoacoustic emissions and frequency modulation difference limens
Krishnamurti, S.
Ear and Hearing 21(4): 305-309
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0196-0202 PMID: 10981606 Document Number: 512634
Objective: To explore the relationship between distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and frequency modulation difference limens (FMDLs) in normal-hearing subjects. Design: Fifteen normal-hearing adult subjects (age range = 20 to 29 yr; mean age = 21 yr, 6 mo) participated in the study. Each subject met the following criteria: 1) hearing thresholds <20 dB HL bilaterally at frequencies 0.25 to 8 kHz; 2) type A tympanograms bilaterally; and 3) no history of otologic disease. To reduce gender-related differences, only female subjects were recruited as subjects. DPOAE amplitudes and FMDLs were measured in both ears of 15 female adults at 1, 2, and 4 kHz. Ears were classified on the basis of DPOAE amplitude into large DPOAEs and small DPOAEs. Results: Results indicated that ears with larger DPOAEs showed better frequency discrimination (smaller FMDLs) than did ears with smaller DPOAEs at 2 kHz. Conclusions: Results of the current study support frequency discrimination models that predict a relationship between frequency selectivity and frequency discrimination.