Abstract
AbstractAcoustic radiation is the sound energy escape from a bone vibrator that may be detected by air conduction mechanisms. The presence of acoustic radiation may result in an unreal bone conduction threshold, promoting an unreal air/bone gap in the high frequencies. Aimaim to analyze the acoustic radiation effect on the extension of air/bone gap at 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 Hz. Materials and Methodour clinical and experimental study had a sample of 101 individuals, who matched inclusion criteria: to have an air/bone gap higher than 10 dB in the frequencies of 2,000; 3,000 and 4,000 Hz. All of them had their bone conduction threshold measured in two conditions: open ear canal and closed ear canal. Resultswe found that major differences between the two conditions evaluated occurred at the 4,000 Hz; data analysis showed significant difference in the extension for the air/bone gap; analysis of the number of cases of mixed hearing loss that changed to sensorineural was significant too. ConclusionThese studies concluded that when the MAE is occluded, the acoustic radiation phenomenon is controlled or avoided, enabling bone measures at the frequencies of 3,000 and 4,000Hz to be more accurate.
Highlights
Speech and hearing therapists are professionals who study hearing, its mechanisms, the way through which the auditory system processes sounds and the procedures used to evaluate its disorders
4,000 Hz; data analysis showed significant difference in the extension for the air/bone gap; analysis of the number of cases of mixed hearing loss that changed to sensorineural was significant too. These studies concluded that when the MAE is occluded, the acoustic radiation phenomenon is controlled or avoided, enabling bone measures at the frequencies of 3,000 and
This study proved the phenomenon of the acoustic radiation on the frequencies of 2, 3 and 4 kHz when the bone conduction was evaluated, especially at 3 kHz, in 70% of the cases.[10]
Summary
Speech and hearing therapists are professionals who study hearing, its mechanisms, the way through which the auditory system processes sounds and the procedures used to evaluate its disorders. Audiometric tests, or threshold tonal audiometry, are considered the most basic test to assess hearing. Based on the measures of hearing thresholds obtained from air and bone conductions, it is possible to establish the first topodiagnosis in audiology. The examiner is responsible for knowing the strategies which will help him/her obtain such results. The literature on bone conduction measures presents studies associated with: the technical limits of the bone vibrator; the pressure and placement of the vibrator on the mastoid; use of masking; the influence of the middle ear diseases and the phenomena of occlusion and acoustic radiation. Practice in clinical audiology leads us to question to what extent the results from the bone conduction assessment of an individual is true or if it is the product of interference of actions or facts which occur during audiometry.[1]
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