1.5.2 Setting stimulus intensity levels
The levels of stimuli F1 and F2 (L1 and L2 respectively) are important test
parameters.
In general, higher L1 and L2 levels lead to higher DPOAE responses but
result in tests which are less sensitive to hearing loss.
However an increase in just one of the stimulus levels (L1 or L2) can cause
a decrease in DPOAE. At the higher stimulus levels (e.g. 70dBSPL) L1=L2
gives nearly the maximum DPOAE, but when for example L2 = 50dBSPL
an L1 of around 60dBSPL gives the best DPOAE level. The lower the
intensity of L2, the more L1 needs to be raised above L2 in order to give
the maximum DPOAE response.
This is due to the way the cochlear travelling wave changes shape. The
maximum DP occurs when the two waves are of equal size in the area of
the cochlea where F2 peaks. F1 reaches its peak further along the cochlea
than F2 and so for equal stimulus levels is smaller than F2 around the peak
of F2. Presenting L1 at a higher level than L2 compensates for this. With
high stimulus levels the peaks become broader and optimum increment in
L1 over L2 become smaller.
1.5.3 DP level and test sensitivity
Higher DP stimulus levels result in tests that are less sensitive to small
amounts of cochlear damage but nevertheless remain sensitive to outer
hair cell loss.
DPOAEs with L2 of 70dBSPL are less sensitive to hearing loss than
TEOAEs conducted with 84dBpe clicks. For sensitivity comparable to
TEOAE, L2 should be 60dBSPL or lower.
Higher stimulus levels can be clinically useful; if good DPOAEs are
obtained at high levels but not at low levels of stimulation, outer hair cell
function can be said to be present even though not completely normal (see
Multiple level DPOAEs below, also Gorga MP, Neely ST, et al.. Distortion
product otoacoustic emissions in relation to hearing loss. In: Robinette
RM, Glattke T (eds). Otoacoustic Emissions - Clinical Applications (Third
Edition). New York: Thieme, 2007; 197-225.)
DPgrams may be obtained for multiple stimulus intensities. This has
several advantages. Unusual features (peaks or troughs) can be conî‚¿rmed
as being either a robust feature of the ear or as very speciî‚¿c to particular
stimulus frequencies and levels and therefore of lesser signiî‚¿cance.
Introduction
Otoport OAE+ABR
User Manual for Advance and Screener
17