AVERAGE HEARING THRESHOLD IN HIGH FREQUENCY EXTENDED RANGE FOR NORMAL HEARING TEENAGERS, BOTH SEXES, BETWEEN 14 TO 17 YEARS OF AGE CONTRIBUTION FOR THE STANDARDIZATION OF REFERENTIAL HEARING THRESHOLDS IN THE HIGH FREQUENCY EXTENDED RANGE

Abstract

Objetive:
This study intends to determine mean reference values of hearing threshold ranging from 8000 Hz to 16000 Hz for age groups at 14, 15, 16, and 17 years old.

Material and Methods: In order to form the sample, hearing normality was established through a hearing condition questionnaire, otoscopy, and an audiometry was performed in the conventional range of frequencies, in wich only those with threshold lower than or equal to 20 dB participated. The sample was formed with 852 ears.

Then, the audiometry was used in the extended high frequency range to evaluate the frequencies of (8000; 9000; 10000, 11200; 12500; 14000; and 16000) Hz.

Results and Discussion: Mean reference values in high frequencies were determined. Al the middle hearing threshold level, a tendency to improve was observed in both sexes in the frequencies of 14000 Hz and 16000 Hz, at all ages, and in relation to the remaining frequencies; although there was a tendency to rise as age increased, being the mean hearing threshold higher in men than in women.

By means of the data obtained, it is revealed the importance of high frequency audiometry as a tool for early detection of perceptive hypoacusia, as well as the undeniable need to count on mean reference values of hearing threshold in audiology practice.