Abstract
A minature probe microphone was developed for use with earmolds to measure eardrum SPL. The probe has been designed using the earmold as an integral part of its acoustic system and no part of the probe itself projects into the ear canal. Previous ear simulator data indicated accurate (±2 dB) eardrum SPL measurements at frequencies up to 5.0 kHz. To determine the effects of ear-canal variations on probe measurement accuracy, tests were performed on normal hearing adults. Assuming that pure tone thresholds are not different for the ear either open or occluded, thresholds measured (tracking procedure) with an earphone were compared to those measured via a hearing-aid receiver and earmold-probe assembly at frequencies between 500 Hz and 6.0 kHz. Both systems were calibrated on the same simulator. No significant differences were observed between the two sets of threshold measurements up to frequencies of 6.0 kHz. Subsequent measurements indicated that a large parallel vent in the earmold had no effect on the probe microphone accuracy. Results suggest that the probe-earmold procedure can be used to measure occluded eardrum SPL up to frequencies of 6.0 kHz.
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