The masking levels measured by band noise (band noise masking level: BNML) and by pure tones (pure tone masking level: PTML) at the pitch of tinnitus were compared in 121 tinnitus ears without hearing loss or associated with cochlear deafness in those pitch was simulated by band noise. The results obtained were as follows;
(1) The correlation coefficient between PTML and BNML was 0.81 when both masking levels were indicated by sensation level and it was 0.94 when they were indicated by audiometer level.
(2) The correlation coefficient between loudness and masking level was 0.75 in BNML and was 0.61 in PTML when both loudness and masking level were indicated by sensation level. It was 0.94 in BNML and 0.88 in PTML when they were indicated by audiometer level.
(3) The regression line between the loudness (x) and the masking level (y) was estimated. It was y=1.23x+6.43 in BNML and y=1.17x+8.44 in PTML when both loudness and masking level were indicated by sensation level. It was y=0.93x+10.53 in BNML and y=0.89x+19.25 in PTML when they were indicated by audiometer level.
(4) The relationship between the band noise hearing level at the pitch of tinnitus and the loudness, PTML and BNML was analysed. The loudness, PTML and BNML indicated by sensation level became small abruptly when the band noise hearing level exceeded 30-40dB. However, PTML and BNML indicated by audiometer level were slightly influenced by the band noise hearing level at the pitch of tinnitus.
From these results, it was concluded that the BNML indicated by audiometer level could be most useful as an indicator representing the intensity of tinnitus in which pitch was simulated by band noise.
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