Ear-EEG-Based Objective Hearing Threshold Estimation Evaluated on Normal Hearing Subjects. 2018

Christian Bech Christensen, and James Michael Harte, and Thomas Lunner, and Preben Kidmose

Hearing threshold levels have been estimated successfully in the clinic using the objective electroencephalogram (EEG) based technique of auditory steady-state response (ASSR). The recent method of ear-EEG could enable ASSR hearing tests to be performed in everyday life, rather than in a specialized clinic, enabling cheaper and easier monitoring of audiometric thresholds over time. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility of ear-EEG in audiometric characterization of auditory sensitivity thresholds. An ear-EEG setup was used to estimate ASSR hearing threshold levels to CE-chirp stimuli (with center frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) from four different electrode configurations including conventional scalp configuration, ear electrode with scalp reference, ear electrode with reference in the opposite ear and ear electrode with reference in the same ear. To evaluate the ear-EEG setup, ASSR thresholds estimated using ear-EEG were compared to ASSR thresholds estimated using standardized audiological equipment. The SNRs of in-ear ear-EEG recordings were found to be on average 2.7 to 6.5 dB lower than SNRs of conventional scalp EEG. Thresholds estimated from in-ear referenced ear-EEG were on average 15.0 ± 3.4, 9.1 ± 4.4, 12.5 ± 3.7, and 12.1 ± 2.6 dB above scalp EEG thresholds for 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz, respectively. We demonstrate that hearing threshold levels can be estimated from ear-EEG recordings made from electrodes placed in one ear. Objective hearing threshold estimation based on ear-EEG can be integrated into hearing aids, thereby allowing hearing assessment to be performed by the hearing instrument on a regular basis.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D004569 Electroencephalography Recording of electric currents developed in the brain by means of electrodes applied to the scalp, to the surface of the brain, or placed within the substance of the brain. EEG,Electroencephalogram,Electroencephalograms
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001300 Audiometry, Evoked Response A form of electrophysiologic audiometry in which an analog computer is included in the circuit to average out ongoing or spontaneous brain wave activity. A characteristic pattern of response to a sound stimulus may then become evident. Evoked response audiometry is known also as electric response audiometry. Audiometry, Electroencephalic Response,Electrocochleography,Evoked Response Audiometry,Audiometries, Electroencephalic Response,Audiometries, Evoked Response,Electrocochleographies,Electroencephalic Response Audiometries,Electroencephalic Response Audiometry,Evoked Response Audiometries,Response Audiometries, Electroencephalic,Response Audiometries, Evoked,Response Audiometry, Electroencephalic,Response Audiometry, Evoked
D001309 Auditory Threshold The audibility limit of discriminating sound intensity and pitch. Auditory Thresholds,Threshold, Auditory,Thresholds, Auditory
D012815 Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted Computer-assisted processing of electric, ultrasonic, or electronic signals to interpret function and activity. Digital Signal Processing,Signal Interpretation, Computer-Assisted,Signal Processing, Digital,Computer-Assisted Signal Interpretation,Computer-Assisted Signal Interpretations,Computer-Assisted Signal Processing,Interpretation, Computer-Assisted Signal,Interpretations, Computer-Assisted Signal,Signal Interpretation, Computer Assisted,Signal Interpretations, Computer-Assisted,Signal Processing, Computer Assisted
D055815 Young Adult A person between 19 and 24 years of age. Adult, Young,Adults, Young,Young Adults

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