Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effect of tinnitus and/or hyperacusis on distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measures in adults with normal hearing thresholds from 0.25 to 8 kHz, while accounting for extended high-frequency (EHF) thresholds. Design: A behavioural study consisted of comprehensive audiological assessment, validated tinnitus and hyperacusis questionnaires, DPOAE amplitudes and input/output (I/O) functions. Study sample: Data of 56 participants with normal hearing were included for the analysis. Participants were categorised into four groups: (1) without tinnitus or hyperacusis, (2) with tinnitus only, (3) with hyperacusis only, and (4) with both tinnitus and hyperacusis. Results: The groups with tinnitus showed elevated EHF thresholds compared with those without tinnitus. DPOAE amplitudes were not significantly affected by tinnitus and/or hyperacusis status; however, they were significantly affected by EHF thresholds. Further, no appreciable differences in DPOAE I/O functions were found across groups. Conclusions: The reported non-significant differences in DPOAEs in individuals with tinnitus and/or hyperacusis do not support a peripheral mechanism or an interaction between peripheral and central mechanisms underlying tinnitus or hyperacusis. Our findings, however, suggest the need to assess basal cochlear function (e.g. EHF thresholds) for a better understanding of differences in DPOAE measures in tinnitus and/or hyperacusis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 442-452 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | International Journal of Audiology |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | Apr 19 2022 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2023 |
Keywords
- Tinnitus
- extended high-frequency hearing thresholds
- normal hearing
- distortion product otoacoustic emissions
- hyperacusis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Speech and Hearing
- Language and Linguistics
- Linguistics and Language