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Original Articles

Modification of otoacoustic emissions following ear-level exposure to MP3 player music

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Pages 751-760 | Received 31 Dec 2007, Published online: 07 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine if a pre-determined exposure level and duration of MP3 player music would result in significant changes in cochlear function when measured with audiometric and physiological methods. Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), synchronized spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SSOAEs), and hearing thresholds were measured in 20 normal-hearing adults before and after a 30-minute MP3 player music exposure. DPOAEs were acquired with 65/45 dB SPL primary tones (f2=0.842–7.996 kHz) with a frequency resolution of 8 points/octave. A probe microphone system recorded ear-canal music levels and was used to equalize levels at approximately 85 dBC across individuals during the music presentation. Comparison of pre- and post-exposure measurements revealed no significant differences in hearing thresholds, but DPOAE levels in half-octave bands centered from 1.4–6.0 kHz were significantly reduced following the music exposure. Post-exposure shifts in SSOAE frequency and level were highly variable in individuals identified with SSOAEs. The results for the exposure conditions explored in this study indicate that changes in otoacoustic emissions may precede the development of music-induced hearing threshold shifts.

Abbreviations
ANOVA=

Analysis of variance

DP-Gram=

Distortion-product gram

DPOAE=

Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions

OAE=

Otoacoustic emissions

SOAEs=

Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions

SSOAE=

Synchronized spontaneous otoacoustic emissions

TTS=

Temporary threshold shifts

Abbreviations
ANOVA=

Analysis of variance

DP-Gram=

Distortion-product gram

DPOAE=

Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions

OAE=

Otoacoustic emissions

SOAEs=

Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions

SSOAE=

Synchronized spontaneous otoacoustic emissions

TTS=

Temporary threshold shifts

Sumario

El propósito de este estudio fue examinar si un nivel predeterminado de duración y exposición a un reproductor de música MP3 podría resultar en cambios significativos en la función coclear, medida con métodos audiométricos y fisiológicos. Se midieron emisiones otoacústicas por productos de distorsión (DPOAE) emisiones otoacústicas espontáneas sincronizadas (SSOAE) y umbrales auditivos en 20 sujetos adultos normo-oyentes antes y 30 minutos después de exposición a un reproductor de música MP3. Las DPOAE se obtuvieron con tonos primarios a 65/45 dB SPL (f2=0.842–7.996 kHz) con una frecuencia de resolución de 8 puntos/octava. Un sistema de micrófono sonda, registró los niveles de música en el conducto auditivo y se usó para igualar niveles en aproximadamente 85 dBC en los individuos, durante la presentación de la música. La comparación de las mediciones pre y post-exposición no revelaron diferencias significativas en los umbrales auditivos pero los niveles de las DPOAE en las bandas de media octava centradas de 1.4–6.0 kHz se redujeron significativamente después de la exposición. Los cambios después de la exposición en la frecuencia y nivel de las SSOAE fueron altamente variables en los individuos identificados con las SSOAE. Los resultados de las condiciones de exploración en este estudio indican que los cambios en las emisiones otoacústicas pueden preceder al desarrollo de cambios de los umbrales auditivos inducidos por la música.

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