Open AccessAir-Leak Effects on Ear-Canal Acoustic Absorbance
Author(s) -
Katherine A. Groon,
Daniel M. Rasetshwane,
Judy G. Kopun,
Michael P. Gorga,
Stephen T. Neely
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
ear and hearing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.577
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1538-4667
pISSN - 0196-0202
DOI - 10.1097/aud.0000000000000077
Subject(s) - absorbance , ear canal , leak , materials science , acoustics , volume (thermodynamics) , biomedical engineering , optics , environmental science , medicine , physics , quantum mechanics , environmental engineering
Accurate ear-canal acoustic measurements, such as wideband acoustic admittance, absorbance, and otoacoustic emissions, require that the measurement probe be tightly sealed in the ear canal. Air leaks can compromise the validity of the measurements, interfere with calibrations, and increase variability. There are no established procedures for determining the presence of air leaks or criteria for what size leak would affect the accuracy of ear-canal acoustic measurements. The purpose of this study was to determine ways to quantify the effects of air leaks and to develop objective criteria to detect their presence.