The equivalent threshold sound pressure levels and test-retest threshold variability of a consumer-grade insert earphone fitted with stock, foam, and otoacoustic emission probe ear tips

Abstract

Objective

Consumer-grade insert earphones (IEs) can be utilised for audiometry, but their calibration values and threshold reliability may differ from the audiometric IE. This study measured the equivalent threshold sound pressure levels (ETSPLs), and the test-retest threshold variation when a consumer IE (Sennheiser CX100) was fitted with: (1) silicone stock ear tips that came along with the earphone, (2) replacement foam ear tips (KZ acoustics) and (3) silicone otoacoustic emission (OAE) probe ear tips.

Design and study sample

Study 1 determined ETSPL values in 25 normal-hearing subjects aged 18–25 years at seven test frequencies (500–8000 Hz). Study 2 assessed the intra- and inter-session test-retest threshold reliability in a separate group of 50 adult subjects.

Results

The ETSPL values for the consumer IE deviated from the reference values for audiometric IEs, with the largest differences (7–9 dB) observed at 500 Hz across ear tips. This is likely related to shallow tip insertions. However, test-retest threshold variations were comparable to those reported for audiometric transducers.

Conclusions

Ear tip-specific corrections to the reference thresholds in the standards are required for calibration of consumer IEs used in low-cost audiometry when their ear tips only allow superficial insertion into the ear canal.

Keywords:

• Insert earphones
• affordable audiometry
• ear tips
• hearing loss screening
• earphone calibration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Malaya Faculty Research Grant [GPF005A-2020].