Calibration of Ipsilateral Acoustic Reflex Stimuli: A Comparison of Loudness Balance and Equal Reflex Response Methods

Abstract

Hearing levels for ipsilateral impedance probes have not yet been established. This study compares two techniques for “transfer of threshold” from the standardised TDH-39 earphone to the unstandardised probe. Ten normal hearing subjects participated, using both a loudness balance technique and a reflex measurement technique. The reflex measurement technique involved comparing the intensity required from each transducer to produce an equal reflex response, whereas the loudness balance technique compared the intensity required from each transducer for equal loudness. The two techniques were found to differ significantly in terms of the Hearing Level values which they produced. Differences between techniques amounted to approximately 3 dB at 1 000 Hz, 11 dB at 2 000 Hz, and 7 dB at 3 000 Hz. As a comparison of the two techniques, the day to day variances were statistically estimated. The reflex measurement technique was shown to be more reliable than the loudness balance technique.