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Abstract
Objective: To investigate repeatability, agreement, and clinical feasibility of the threshold equalizing noise (TEN) test and fast psychophysical tuning curve (PTC) measurements to detect off-frequency listening, an indicator of cochlear dead regions (DRs). Design: The TEN-test was carried out from 0.5 to 4 kHz and fast PTCs were carried out at ≥ 2 frequencies. Study sample: The TEN-test was completed on 70 ears; fast PTCs were measured on 20 ears. Results: TEN-test findings were repeatable in terms of meeting the criteria for a DR (97%) and identifying the same edge frequency (fe) (87%). In all cases, fast PTCs were repeatable in terms of meeting the criteria for DRs. There was 87% agreement between the two procedures in terms of the presence of off-frequency listening, and there was 73% agreement in terms of fe. Fast PTCs had a 10% lower ‘conclusive finding’ rate than the TEN-test and the test duration was typically 40 minutes longer. Conclusions: Both the TEN-test and fast PTCs have high test-retest repeatability. The TEN-test is more clinically feasible due to its shorter test duration and higher interpretation rate, but it may underestimate the extent of a DR because of its inability to precisely identify fe.
Acknowledgements
This paper presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme (Grant reference number PB-PG-0408-15055) and facilitated by the Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and the Greater Manchester Comprehensive Clinical Research Network. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest.