Threshold of hearing (0.125–20 kHz) in children and youngsters

Abstract

Pure-tone air-conduction audiometry has been performed in three groups of children and youngsters aged 10, 14 and 18 years old. The complete frequency range of 0.125 to 20 kHz was measured, and number of different questions were raised. Firstly, the hearing threshold in the conventional frequency range was compared to the international standard ISO 389. Significant differences from ISO zero were found for all groups and at all frequencies of 0.125 to 8 kHz. Secondly, possible noise damage, shown as dips in the audiograms at 3, 4 or 6 kHz was examined; and thirdly, high-frequency (8-20 kHz) sensitivity between groups was compared. Only a few audiograms, the majority being in the youngest age group, were found to be a result of possible noise damage, and in the extra-high-frequency range, a systematic decrease in sensitivity was found for the two older groups compared to the 10-year-old children at frequencies higher than 14 kHz.

Are some people suffering as a result of increasing mass exposure of the public to ultrasound in air?

“…They found the average threshold at 20 kHz of the younger group was 20 dB more sensitive than that of the older group. Burén et al [61] conducted pure tone audiometry on three groups, having median ages 11, 14 and 19 (to the nearest six months, the respective cohort size being 172, 94 and 69). At 20 kHz, the average threshold of the youngest group was 10 dB more sensitive than that of the oldest group.…”

Avaliação dos limiares de audibilidade das altas freqüências em indivíduos entre 18 e 29 anos sem queixas otológicas

“…Burén et al 15 did pure tone audiometry at 250 to 20000 Hz in three groups with mean ages of 10.1, 14.6, and 18.8 years, totaling 335 subjects. They used an Interacoustics AS 10HF audiometer for high frequencies and a Koss/1A earphone.…”

“…The author tested the reliability of auditory thresholds using two devices and different tests, and correlated the results at common frequencies between both audiometers. The study included 15 North American soldiers from Fort Knox, Kentucky, aged between 18 and 25 years. These subjects underwent auditory threshold investigation done with two audiometers, a Békésy-type ARJ-4 HF, that examined frequencies between 4 and 18 KHz, developed by Doctor Wayne Rudmose and manufactured by Tracor, Inc., and a conventional Rudmose ARJ-5 audiometer, used for comparison.…”

Processamento auditivo e audiometria de altas freqüências em escolares de São Paulo

“…Hearing thresholds of children 17 compared to the reference values for the high frequencies hearing thresholds. 2001); and that the best auditory sensitivity, above 14 kHz, was observed in ten years old children (Burén et al, 1992). This way, it is believed that evaluating ten years old children may exclude the possibility of the beginning of the high frequencies auditory sensitivity deterioration process and the immaturity to respond to the test.…”