With the Bekesy type audiometer, the relationship between the amplitude of Bekesy tracing and the attenuating condition was studied. The attenuating step is changable at 0. 5, 2. 5, and 5.0dB. The attenuating speed is also changable at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5dB/sec. For this study 7 cases with normal hearing and as many with cochlear hearing impairment were chosen.
Based on the results, the optimal attenuating condition to evaluate the recruitment phenomenon was also investigated.
The following results were obtained.
1) The amplitude of Bekesy tracing showed a tendency to decrease with the increase of the attenuating steps. In the test of continous tone of 5dB attenuating step, those with normal hearing showed remarkable narrowing of amplitude. Those with cochlear hearing impairment showed the same narrowing in the test of continuous tone of 2.5dB step.
2) As the attenuating speed X increases, the amplitude Y also increases. The relationship between X and Y was shown as follows, Y=(a)X+(b). (a) is assumed to correspond to the reaction time. The value (a) appears to decrease greatly when the cochlear impaired ears and the normal ones at 5dB attenuating step were stimulated with continuous tone. Hence remarkable narrowing of amplitude, the shortening of reaction time is assumed to concern. (b) is assumed to be a threshold deviation of the duration of tone. The value (b) decreased only when normal ear was stimulated with continuous tone at 5dB step. In the test of 5dB attenuating step, a phenomenon, which is similar to the recruitment, is thought to have taken place.
3) The optimal attenuating condition to test the recruitment phenomenon are as follows. Among 0.5, 2.5, 5.0dB attenuating steps, 2.5dB was the best. Among 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5dB/sec attenuating speeds, 4dB/sec was the best.
4) With the use of this optimal attenuating condition, the accuracy of diagnosis of cochlear hearing impairment and the shortening of examination time are expected.
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