Brief Tone Audiometry In Patients With Acoustic Trauma

Abstract

Temporal integration of acoustic energy has been investigated in 25 persons with an acoustic trauma. The investigation showed a descending ability to integrate acoustic energy with increasing hearing loss for the frequencies 2 000, 4 000 and 8 000 Hz. These results were compared with results from a group of presbyacusis patients, and it was shown that the relationship temporal integration/hearing loss is almost identical. A characteristic feature was normal temporal integration for some frequencies and abnormal temporal integration for others within the same ear. Taking the histopathology on noise-damaged cochleae into consideration, esp. localized hair cell degeneration, it seems a necessary condition that the outer hair cells are intact, in order to achieve a normal temporal integration.