Test-Retest Reliability of Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions in the 1 to 7 kHz Range

What is it about?

Very short-term and short-term reliability was assessed, with measures conducted 20 minutes, and an average of 15 days later, respectively. The test resolution setting for the DP-gram measurements was varied between 1 to 8 points per octave in each test series. DPOAE amplitudes in the default frequency range (1 to 6 kHz) between test and short-term retest were highly correlated, with average r=0.81. Standard error of measurement (SEM) was found to average 2.64 dB for DPOAE amplitude in the default frequency range. DPOAE amplitudes in the higher frequency range of 6.5 to 7 kHz were also significantly correlated between test and short-term retest; r ranged from 0.80 to 0.82 and SEM ranged from 2.59 to 3.04 dB.

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Why is it important?

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) are regularly used to measure cochlear status in the high frequency range, as when monitoring ototoxic medication or for assessing noise-induced hearing loss. This study measured default DP-gram protocols and user-defined DP spectrum protocols in 35 normal hearing young adults using Otodynamics ILO96 equipment. The various resolution and retest conditions showed no significant differences in reliability.

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