Acceptable Noise Levels Determined by Traditional and Self-Assessed Methods.

BACKGROUND: Many apps have been developed for users to screen their hearing in their own home. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and efficiency of a self-assessed acceptable noise level (ANL) in comparison to the traditional ANL measurements. RESEARCH DESIGN: A within-subject repeated measures research design was utilized. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Sixty-two adults with normal hearing were recruited from Auburn University and the surrounding community. ANLs were measured utilizing the traditional measurement as well as the self-assessed ANL via the Unitron uHear app. RESULTS: Within-subject repeated measures of variance revealed no significant differences between traditional ANL measurements and self-assessed ANL measurements. Significant differences were found for time required for testing in each condition, revealing self-assessed testing to be significantly faster. CONCLUSION: The self-assessed ANL measurement via the Unitron uHear app is a valid and efficient measurement of ANL in adults with normal hearing.

Could the Use of Acoustic Reflexes Prior to Administering Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs) Affect the Results of DPOAEs?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether acoustic reflex threshold testing before administration of distortion product otoacoustic emissions can affect the results of the distortion product otoacoustic emissions testing using an automated protocol. METHOD: Fifteen young adults with normal hearing ranging in age from 19 to 25 years participated in the study. All participants had clear external ear canals and normal Jerger Type A tympanograms and had passed a hearing screening. Testing was performed using the Interacoustics Titan acoustic reflex threshold and distortion product otoacoustic emissions protocol. Participants underwent baseline distortion product otoacoustic emissions. RESULTS: A paired-samples t test was conducted for both the right and left ears to assess within-group differences between baseline distortion product otoacoustic emissions and repeated distortion product otoacoustic emissions measures. No significant differences were found in distortion product otoacoustic emission measures following administration of acoustic reflexes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a protocol when using an automated system that includes both acoustic reflexes and distortion product otoacoustic emissions is important. Overall, presentation of acoustic reflexes prior to measuring distortion product otoacoustic emission did not affect distortion product otoacoustic emission results; therefore, test sequence can be modified as needed.

Nursing students: Training and maintaining universal newborn hearing screening knowledge.

The purpose of the study was to obtain information concerning the effectiveness of a training program to equip nursing students in administering universal newborn hearing screening procedures, correctly recording results and clearly explaining outcomes to parent/guardians. First semester and third semester nursing students completed the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) Utah State University™ Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) training as an in-class assignment. Students were surveyed and knowledge assessed prior to and post training. Overall results showed that all student benefited from the training.