title: Evaluation of a probe-tube insertion technique for measuring the real-ear-to-coupler difference (RECD) in young infants.
abstract: A common strategy for measuring the real-ear response of the real-ear-to-coupler difference (RECD) in the pediatric population is to insert a probe-tube separately from the eartip. This strategy is at times difficult to implement while attempting to obtain the measurement from a young infant. An RECD probe-tube insertion technique that involves connecting the probe-tube to an eartip with plastic film for simultaneous insertion was examined on 30 infants. Repeated measurements were completed on each infant to obtain within-session test-retest reliability data. Probe-tube insertion depth was also examined across participants to provide a guideline for the infant population. Findings indicate that reliable RECD values can be obtained in infants when the probe-tube is extended approximately two to four millimeters (mm) beyond the eartip or 11 mm from the entrance to the ear canal. Clinical implications of this work are discussed.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Audiology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. bagatto@nca.uwo.ca
authors.forename: Marlene P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Bagatto
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Seewald
authors.forename: Susan D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Scollie
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tharpe
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D015203:Reproducibility of Results