Conventional audiometry, extended high-frequency audiometry, and DPOAEs in youth recreational firearm users

Abstract

To determine if conventional audiometry, EHFA, and pDPOAEs are useful as early indicators of cochlear damage from recreational firearm impulse noise exposure in youth firearm users. Quantitative cross-sectional descriptive pilot study. Descriptive statistics and MANOVA with post hoc Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test were used to compare pDPOAEs (1–10 kHz), conventional audiometry (0.25–8 kHz), and EHFA (10–16 kHz) in YFUs. 25 YFUs (n = 11 7–12 years; n = 14 13–17 years) with self-reported poor compliance with hearing protector device wear. Conventional audiometric thresholds at 2-, 3- and 4 kHz were significantly poorer than normal but did not distinguish between older and younger YFUs or between the GBE and the contralateral ear. EHFA thresholds at 14- and 16 kHz were significantly poorer than for other frequencies, and differentiate between older and younger youths, but do not distinguish the GBE from the contralateral ear. Finally, pDPOAE levels were significantly reduced at 8- and 10 kHz but did not show any differences for the younger versus older YFUs or for the GBE from the contralateral ear. Conclusion: Both EHFA and pDPOAEs provide early evidence of NIHL in YFUs, and may be useful for the early detection of NIHL in YFUs.

Keywords:

• Otoacoustic emissions
• hearing conservation/hearing loss prevention
• extended high-frequency audiometry
• firearm impulse noise

Acknowledgements

Portions of this study were shared as graduate student presentations, and as conference presentations at both the 2018 National Hearing Conservation Association annual conference and the 2018 American Academy of Audiology annual meeting. Extended high-frequency pure tone audiometric outcomes in youth firearm users, 15–17 February 2018, Orlando, FL. The effects of youth firearm shooting habits on hearing, 18–21 April, Nashville, TN.

Combat-Arms earplugs were donated by 3M.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies at Central Michigan University and the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Central Michigan University. The National Hearing Conservation Association Scholarship Foundation also awarded the Student Research Award to assist with travel expenses for presentation.