Reliability of Tinnitus Loudness Matches under Procedural Variation

James A. Henry; Christopher L. Flick; Alison Gilbert; Roger M. Ellingson; Stephen A. Fausti

doi:10.1055/s-0042-1748540

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, Table of Contents

J Am Acad Audiol 1999; 10(09): 502-520
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1748540

Original Article

Reliability of Tinnitus Loudness Matches under Procedural Variation

Authors

James A. Henry

National VA RR&D Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon

Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
Christopher L. Flick

National VA RR&D Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon
Alison Gilbert

National VA RR&D Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon
Roger M. Ellingson

National VA RR&D Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon
Stephen A. Fausti

National VA RR&D Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon

Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon

Abstract

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Abstract

Repeated tinnitus loudness matches (LMs) were obtained to determine response reliability using a computer-automated technique with two procedural variations, fixed or random step sizes, to increase output level during the initial ascending series of tones at each frequency. Twenty subjects with stable, tonal tinnitus were evaluated with both methods during each of two sessions. Response instructions were displayed on a portable computer, and a pen device was used to make response choices that appeared on the touch-sensitive video monitor. For each method, hearing thresholds and LMs were obtained, with 1-dB resolution, at ¹/₃-octave frequencies from 1 to 16 kHz. Analyses revealed reliability of LMs to be equivalent between methods. LM data are reported in both dB SPL and dB SL, with the SPL values providing greater reliability both within and between sessions (all r's ≥ .889, p's ≤ .0001).

Abbreviations: ANOVA = analysis of variance, LAN = local area network, LM = loudness match

Key Words

Loudness - measurement - reliability - tinnitus

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References

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