AAO-HNSF Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel

Review - When to mask? Speech Audiometry –

Mask if the difference between SRT’s is 40 dB or greater. Mask if the difference between SDS’s is 40 dB or greater. Mask if difference between presentation level of the SDS is 40dB or more than the SRT or PTA of the better (non test) ear General rule: Mask for speech if you mask for air conduction.

AAO-HNS/F

Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel Workshop

16

Occlusion Effect An artificial improvement in low frequency threshold when the ear canals are covered

Occurs when testing bone conduction with the headphones on the non-test ear

AAO-HNS/F

Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel Workshop

17

Occlusion Effect (Continued) Does NOT occur when unmasked bone is tested

Occurs at 250, 500, 1kHz

Must add to initial masking levels in order to eliminate the effect

AAO-HNS/F

Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel Workshop

18