Updated: March 15, 2006

Investigator:

Glenis Long, Ph.D.

Purpose of this study:

To investigate techniques for improving measurement of cochlear and middle ear function by combining measurements of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) with measures of reflectance.

Project Description:

The combination of these two types of measurement (DPOAE and reflectance) will not only help in the diagnosis of cochlear and middle ear pathology, but will contribute to an improved means for reducing variability in the measurement of DPOAEs. Furthermore, the measurement of distortion product input/output functions may make it possible to obtain estimates of hearing loss, differentiate inner hair cell from outer hair cell pathology, and identify the etiologies of tinnitus.

Project Progress:

Data has been collected and analyzed on normal hearing subjects. Work has started on the development of psychoacoustic procedures for testing for tinnitus in subjects with middle ear problems. The second phase of the experiment, evaluating hearing impaired and tinnitus subjects will begin in the near future.

Recent publications or presentations:

Long, G., Lee, J., & Talmadge, C. Using Sweeping Tones to Evaluate DPOAE Fine Structure. Poster Presentation, Conference of the Association for Research in Otoloaryngology, Feburary, 2004.

Lee, J., Long, G. and Talamdge, C.L. The impact of Cochlear Fine Structure on Hearing Thresholds and DPOAE Levels. J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 115, 2499. Paper at the ASA meeting in NY, May 2004.

Long, G. L. Talmadge, C. L. and Lee, J "Level dependent changes in the generator component and refection components of DPOAE." Poster Presentation Conference of the Association for Research in Otoloaryngology, February, 2005

For more information, contact: Glenis Long, Ph.D.