Acoustic measurement: a tutorial for molecular biologists. 2006

Rickie R Davis
Hearing Loss Prevention Team, Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch, Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA. rrd1@cdc.gov

Although skilled in in vitro techniques, the molecular biologist may not understand the finer points of acoustical measurement. Measurement is necessary whenever the auditory system function is being measured using the auditory brainstem response (ABR) or distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) or is being challenged by a noise exposure. While the theory of measuring an acoustic signal with a calibrated measuring microphone is simple, in practice, it can become complex. The present article presents guidelines for measuring acoustic stimuli which is within the abilities of a well equipped laboratory. It also presents a set of links for further information and some sources for procurement of equipment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002138 Calibration Determination, by measurement or comparison with a standard, of the correct value of each scale reading on a meter or other measuring instrument; or determination of the settings of a control device that correspond to particular values of voltage, current, frequency or other output. Calibrations
D005072 Evoked Potentials, Auditory The electric response evoked in the CEREBRAL CORTEX by ACOUSTIC STIMULATION or stimulation of the AUDITORY PATHWAYS. Auditory Evoked Potentials,Auditory Evoked Response,Auditory Evoked Potential,Auditory Evoked Responses,Evoked Potential, Auditory,Evoked Response, Auditory,Evoked Responses, Auditory,Potentials, Auditory Evoked
D006320 Hearing Tests Part of an ear examination that measures the ability of sound to reach the brain. Hearing in Noise Test,Quick Speech-in Noise Test (QuickSIN),Real Ear Measurement,Speech in Noise Hearing Test,Ear Measurement, Real,Ear Measurements, Real,Hearing Test,Measurement, Real Ear,Measurements, Real Ear,Quick Speech in Noise Test (QuickSIN),Real Ear Measurements,Test, Hearing,Tests, Hearing
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000161 Acoustic Stimulation Use of sound to elicit a response in the nervous system. Auditory Stimulation,Stimulation, Acoustic,Stimulation, Auditory
D000162 Acoustics The branch of physics that deals with sound and sound waves. In medicine it is often applied in procedures in speech and hearing studies. With regard to the environment, it refers to the characteristics of a room, auditorium, theatre, building, etc. that determines the audibility or fidelity of sounds in it. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed) Acoustic
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001309 Auditory Threshold The audibility limit of discriminating sound intensity and pitch. Auditory Thresholds,Threshold, Auditory,Thresholds, Auditory
D017084 Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous Self-generated faint acoustic signals from the inner ear (COCHLEA) without external stimulation. These faint signals can be recorded in the EAR CANAL and are indications of active OUTER AUDITORY HAIR CELLS. Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions are found in all classes of land vertebrates. Spontaneous Otoacoustic Emissions,Otoacoustic Emission, Spontaneous,Spontaneous Otoacoustic Emission
D066298 In Vitro Techniques Methods to study reactions or processes taking place in an artificial environment outside the living organism. In Vitro Test,In Vitro Testing,In Vitro Tests,In Vitro as Topic,In Vitro,In Vitro Technique,In Vitro Testings,Technique, In Vitro,Techniques, In Vitro,Test, In Vitro,Testing, In Vitro,Testings, In Vitro,Tests, In Vitro,Vitro Testing, In

Related Publications

Rickie R Davis
February 1993, Trends in biochemical sciences,
Rickie R Davis
April 2014, Current protocols in molecular biology,
Rickie R Davis
December 2003, Nature,
Rickie R Davis
March 1990, Diabetes care,
Rickie R Davis
March 1984, Science (New York, N.Y.),
Rickie R Davis
January 2002, Adapted physical activity quarterly : APAQ,
Rickie R Davis
January 2022, Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.),
Rickie R Davis
January 1990, Trends in biotechnology,
Rickie R Davis
January 2001, Journal of molecular medicine (Berlin, Germany),
Copied contents to your clipboard!