Pseudoauditory Bone-Conduction Thresholds

Effect of bone-conduction harmonic distortions on hearing thresholds

“…Previous studies tested tactile responses of partially or totally deaf subjects on non-auditory areas (Nober, 1964), unilateral deaf subjects on the mastoid (Boothroyd and Cawkwell, 1970), or subjects with profoundly hearing losses (Dean and Martin, 1997), whereas in this study, normal hearing subjects were tested and masking was used to increase the hearing threshold. The determined tactile thresholds are in good agreement with the generally accepted tactile levels for low frequencies at 35 and 55 dB HL for 250 and 500 Hz, respectively (Roeser and Valente, 2007).…”

“…Contrarily to this hypothesis, Von Bekesy (1959) previously pointed out that a connection between the sensation of skin and hearing exists. Additionally, Nober (1964) as well as Boothroyd and Cawkwell (1970) argued that thresholds at low frequencies are related to tactile responses. Nober (1964) tested BC thresholds in non-auditory areas and, therefore, supported his suggestion of the existence of a vibrotactile sensation.…”

“…Additionally, Nober (1964) as well as Boothroyd and Cawkwell (1970) argued that thresholds at low frequencies are related to tactile responses. Nober (1964) tested BC thresholds in non-auditory areas and, therefore, supported his suggestion of the existence of a vibrotactile sensation. In 1970, Nober applied a skin-injection to prevent tactile responses from influencing the threshold and showed that air thresholds of totally deaf people vanished (Nober, 1970).…”

“…First, the level of tactile response was tested. According to Nober (1964), auditory thresholds shift in the presence of a masking noise, whereas nonauditory sensations are not affected by the masking noise. Under this assumption, the signal was masked with an AC noise to make it inaudible.…”

Audiological characteristics of the Monge family of Costa Rica

“…Similarly, Nober (1964) has observed pseudoauditory bone conduction thresholds at low frequencies among the deaf that he associated with tactile perception. He conjectured that the large displacement of the bone conduction oscillator associated with high intensity, low frequency stimulation creates a tactile vibration that can be perceived and resp:>nd-ed to by individuals unable to hear tonality.…”