Test-retest reliability of tone-burst-evoked otoacoustic emissions

Acta Otolaryngol. 2000 Oct;120(7):825-34. doi: 10.1080/000164800750061679.

Abstract

In this study, the short- and long-term test-retest reliabilities of tone-burst-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TBOAEs) with 12 different tone-burst stimuli (4 frequencies [1, 1.5, 2 and 3 kHz] at 3 stimulus levels [approximately 76, approximately 67 and approximately 55 dB pcSPL]) were examined in 30 normal hearing subjects. Click-evoked and spontaneous OAEs were recorded in parallel with TBOAEs to facilitate cross-comparisons and the generalization of results. Findings for click-evoked and spontaneous OAEs were comparable with most literature data. High reliability for TBOAEs was established for high and mid stimulus levels at all frequencies tested with reference to test-retest prevalence rate, test retest occurrence, intra-subject test retest difference and correlation coefficient. Derived half-octave band analysis at the frequency corresponding to the stimulus was found to reflect real TBOAE performance more reliably than broadband analysis. No significant difference between short- and long-term reliabilities was noted from all results. Similar test-retest reliabilities for high-level TBOAEs and click-evoked OAEs was obtained, suggesting that TBOAEs could potentially contribute to clinical assessment.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation*
  • Adult
  • Audiology / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Time Factors