Relationship between distortion product otoacoustic emissions and frequency modulation difference limens.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and frequency modulation difference limens (FMDLs) in normal-hearing subjects.


METHODS
Fifteen normal-hearing adult subjects (age range = 20 to 29 yr; mean age = 21 yr, 6 mo) participated in the study. Each subject met the following criteria: 1) hearing thresholds <20 dB HL bilaterally at frequencies 0.25 to 8 kHz; 2) type A tympanograms bilaterally; and 3) no history of otologic disease. To reduce gender-related differences, only female subjects were recruited as subjects. DPOAE amplitudes and FMDLs were measured in both ears of 15 female adults at 1, 2, and 4 kHz. Ears were classified on the basis of DPOAE amplitude into large DPOAEs and small DPOAEs.


RESULTS
Results indicated that ears with larger DPOAEs showed better frequency discrimination (smaller FMDLs) than did ears with smaller DPOAEs at 2 kHz.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of the current study support frequency discrimination models that predict a relationship between frequency selectivity and frequency discrimination.
Krishnamurti
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Department of Communication Disorders, Auburn University, Alabama 36849, USA.
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone / Q000379:methods; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000502:physiology*; D011571:Psychoacoustics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results