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Biomedical subjects

H G Dieroff

Publications and source records attributed to H G Dieroff.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Sensorineural hearing loss in children starting school. Results of a representative hearing screening study].

Audiograms in the 0.5-6 kHz frequency range were taken, using improved audiometric screening methods, in 2032 children, 6-7 years old, who were undergoing their pre-school medical examinations. In 151 children (7.4%), the threshold for hearing was above 20 dB for at least one frequency. Of these, 82 children (4% of the overall sample) had a hearing impairment defined as a difference of > or = 10 dB between at least one frequency (3, 4 or 6 kHz) and the mean value from 1+2 kHz. This was evaluated as a sensorineural hearing loss. Unilateral losses (lateral difference > or = 10 dB) were more common than bilateral losses (2.5% vs 1.6% of the overall sample). These unilateral hearing losses in the high-frequency range are essentially regarded as the result of playing with impulse-noise producing toys, such as toy guns with caps.

Audiometry, Pure-Tone↗
PubMed1992

[The definition of "selectivity" in reduced speech discrimination as a sequela of peripheral perceptual damage].

The term "selectivity" means the ability to correctly select speech in the presence of other kinds of noise. In the literature the term "selectivity" is used very differently with regard to the different levels of the hearing system. In actual practice a separation of this term is important for possible audiometric topodiagnosis study. The problems of selectivity in hearing are discussed and different terms are proposed regarding the different planes of hearing system: 1. for the interaural-external ear transfer function, the terms "stereophonic outer ear effect" or "stereophonic outer ear efficiency" are used; 2. for the power of the inner ear, the term "ability of analysis"; 3. for the central auditory pathways, the term "chiasmatic selectivity" or "meshing selectivity"; 4. for the cortical centre, "active selectivity." The audiometric test batteries used clinically for topodiagnosis are discussed and two examples shown to illustrate the usefulness of the distorted Freiburg Word Test for detecting "analytical ability" in cases of inner ear damage.

Attention↗
PubMed1991

[Experiences with high-frequency hearing tests in the selection of personnel for noise occupations].

A total of 181 persons aged between 16 and 18 were checked fully audiometrically (conventional and high-frequency audiogram). Dates of history about hereditary hearing damage, own ear diseases, noise exposure during frequent visits to discothecs or usage of Walkman etc. were ascertained by questionnaires. The evaluation of the results was carried out with the help of discrimination analysis allowing a multi-dimensional classification. As a result there could be made a sure discrimination analytic separation in persons with ear diseases during their childhood, when the high frequencies from 10 to 15 kHz were taken in. Thus the damage of the inner ear was to be found mainly on the base of the cochlea. Also in cases of hereditary influence there was to be seen a clear deminution in the high frequency area. The group of persons, who regularly went to discos (more than three times a month) as well as the group often using Walkman revealed a sure separation, when the high frequencies above 8 kHz were considered in the calculation. Altogether there could be seen an early damage more clearly in the high frequency area after ear diseases in childhood as well as a result of sound overloading than in conventional hearing area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[The accuracy of subjective determination of auditory threshold in the range of 0.5 to 18.0 kHz using different sound transducer systems].

This paper reports on the degree of accuracy of determinations of hearing threshold in the 0.5 to 18 kHz range. As far as possible, these hearing thresholds were compared with those of ISO 389. Furthermore, the study compared determinations of hearing thresholds measured on different days. Reproducibility was very good, particularly of the high-frequency thresholds. The two types of sound transducers used here (a quasi-free field system developed by the authors and a pair of professional headphones) showed an identical transmission of frequencies and good reproducibility of the results of measurements.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

High-frequency audiometry in the evaluation of critical noise intensity.

We investigated a total of 537 subjects (68 men, 469 women) working in the textile industry to ascertain their hearing level in the conventional hearing range as well as in the high-frequency (HF) range. The persons we tested work at three different noise-levels [80-84, 85-89, 90-94 dB (A), measured as leq). The differences in the hearing thresholds between this three groups mentioned were checked by means of discriminant analysis. The first hearing level changes at a noise-level below 90 dB (A) leq develop mainly in the HF range. In the conventional hearing range, however, the hearing levels remain unchanged even over long exposure times. Noise-induced hearing loss in the conventional range occurs only in the sound level group of 90 to 94 dB (A) leq without attaining any social importance. The tests show that, if the noise-level 90 dB (A) leq is not exceeded, no noise-induced hearing impairments involving social hearing loss are to be observed. Thus we assume that an auditory risk criterion of 85 dB (A) leq is sufficient to prevent hearing loss of any social importance.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Experiences with the distorted Freiburg Speech Test--diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing disorders].

In accordance with the description of an extended technique of distorted speech at different values - 15 dB, - 10 dB, - 5 dB and 0 dB with the plotted frequency characteristic, we used the procedure with different kinds of sensorineural hearing loss. The method analyse the peripheral hearing system very simply. In cases of acoustic tumours the quotient is very large and it is better to reduce the degree of distortion (-10, -5 and 0 dB). Generally, it is possible to detect the phase of degeneration of the inner hair-cells and afferent nerve fibres in all cases of sensorineural hearing loss. The test is also of very good help in fitting hearing aids because method picks out the hard hearing persons with very disturbed discrimination of speech.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Manifestations of inactivity in unilateral hearing aid management of patients with a high degree of hearing loss].

Concluding from audiometrical practice using hearing aids unilaterally we could find an inactivity of the unused contralateral ear. We have investigated if it is possible to measure this inactivity by common psychoacoustic methods. We tested 92 persons with advanced combined hearing loss. We had to state that the inactivity is not measurable by mean tone hearing loss according to HAIC (0.5, 1 and 2 kHz), the percentage hearing loss according to Fowler-Sabine, the percentage of hearing loss calculated by speech-audiogram according to Boenninghaus and Röser 1973 and the value of hearing loss for speech (a1). It is only a big discrimination loss that points to the presence of inactivity. The discrimination loss was compared in two groups concerning "used" and "unused" ears. We could clearly measure the biggest discrimination loss in the group of unused ears. The clinical consequences were discussed.

Attention↗
PubMed1989

[High-frequency audiometry for the early diagnosis of occupational acoustic trauma].

We investigated a total of 537 patients (68 men, 469 women) working in the textile industry to ascertain their hearing level in the conventional hearing range as well as in the HF range. The persons tested work at 3 different noise levels (80-84, 85-89 and 90-94 dB [A] Leq). The differences in the hearing thresholds of the three sound level groups mentioned above were checked by means of discrimination analysis. The first hearing level changes noise levels below 90 dB develop mainly in the HF range; in the conventional hearing range, however, the hearing levels remain unchanged even during long exposure times. Hearing level impairment in the conventional range occurs only in the sound level group of 90-94 dB (A) Leq without attaining any social importance. The tests clearly show that if the noise level damage risk criterion of 85 dB (A) Leq at which hearing is impaired, is not exceeded any hearing lesions involving social hearing loss are definitely avoided.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Assessment of social hearing with a questionnaire in relation to average hearing loss].

In 86 patients with sensorineural hearing loss we checked if the measuring results obtained by conventional audiometric procedures correlate with the subjective impression of hard hearing ascertained via a special questionnaire. For this purpose we compared the average hearing loss (500, 1000, 2000 Hz) of the puretone audiogram with the results obtained via the questionnaire developed by v. Wedel and Tegtmeier for assessing the social hearing handicap (SHH). We can see that there is good correlation between the SHH index values and the average hearing loss with frequencies of 0.5, 1.2 kHz in pancochlear perception hearing loss, whereas in patients with basocochlear perception hearing loss the SHHI cannot be calculated with the help of the puretone audiogram, nor will a widening of the frequency range up to 6 kHz lead to a better correlation between the average hearing loss and SHHI.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Influence of different kinds of noise on the ear and some physiological and psychological parameters.

The reactions of the human organism to noise are complicated and difficult to separate from other stressors, with the exception of hearing damage. After thorough experimental planning and a rigorous selection of sample persons, the reaction to noise of varying structures was studied by reactions of heart rate, blood pressure, reaction time, the temporary threshold shift (TTS) of hearing and the psychological parameters "Mood" (in German "Befinden"). We found a special kind of TTS dependent on the structure o noise and no effect of physiological parameters. The psychological parameter tended to have a significant influence on individual factors.

Audiometry↗
PubMed1986

High frequency hearing following otitis media with effusion in childhood.

78 children had been treated for secretory otitis media at the age of 4.4, on the average. At the age of 18.6, their hearing was checked by means of conventional and high frequency (HF) audiometry. In the conventional range, the average hearing level was nearly normal and no air-bone gap could be found. In HF-range, the average hearing level decreased clearly but the HF-hearing level was significantly affected only in cases in which an air-bone gap exceeding 40 dB and more had existed during the active secretory otitis.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1986

[The problem of critical intensity].

We investigated a total of 537 patients (68 men, 469 women) working in the textile industry to ascertain their hearing level in the conventional hearing range as well as in the HF range. The persons tested work at 3 different noise levels (80-84, 85-89 and 90-94 dB (A) Leq. The differences in the hearing thresholds of the three sound level groups mentioned above were checked by means of discrimination analysis. The first hearing level changes noise levels below 90 dB develop mainly in the HF range; in the conventional hearing range, however, the hearing levels remain unchanged even during long exposure times. Hearing level impairment in the conventional range occurs only in the sound level group of 90-94 dB (A) Leq without attaining any social importance. The tests clearly show that if the noise level damage risk criterion of 85 dB (A) Leq at which hearing is impaired, is not exceeded any hearing lesions involving social hearing loss are definitely avoided.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

[Distorted Freiburg Speech Test].

In 107 patients with different types of hearing loss (air conduction, sensorineural and combined) we ascertained the monaural discrimination loss of monosyllables with the help of the normal and distorted Freiburg speech test. It was evident that the quotient obtained from the measured discrimination is a very good and useful measure to characterise the ability to analyse the peripheral hearing system. Compared with normal hearing individuals and patients with air conduction hearing loss or combined loss of hearing, persons with perception hearing loss show a much greater and more divergent quotient. The discrimination of distorted speech depends more on age than that of normal speech; however, it is considerably reduced from the sixth decade of life onwards. The distortion test offers the expertising the possibility of improved assessment of speech discrimination by workers in a noisy environment in case of unfavourable hearing conditions, but it is also of considerable importance in fitting hearing aids and in the diagnosis of acoustic tumours.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Efficiency of subjective audiometry in children up to the third year of age.

After a discussion of possible methods for measuring the hearing of infants, we present a more appropriate method which we have developed and used over a number of years. The method applied is called "sound orientation audiometry" and is based on the readiness of infants to seek out the sources of sounds. As the infants are observed by means of a one-way mirror, no distraction is possible. In the light of our experience, the proof of intentional application is most favorable when the infants are 5-6 months or 3-4 years old. The application threshold is at 40-50 dB SPL. The results gained by this measuring method are compared wtih sound threshold audiometric results gained 4-9 years after the first examination. Judging from the evaluation, we can see a good correlation of the measuring results obtained by sound orientation audiometry during the first examination with audiometric hearing loss values determined later. The correlation coefficient of the group examined is r = 0.77. The procedure is being discussed as to its value and is considered especially valuable because the whole auditory apparatus as far as the central auditory center is under control. This method is clinically appropriate without much expenditure and may be applied at any time.

Audiometry↗