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Biomedical subjects

J B Spitzer

Publications and source records attributed to J B Spitzer.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Effect of tinnitus masker noise on speech discrimination in quiet and two noise backgrounds.

Use of masking devices is achieving recognition as a means of providing tinnitus relief. While palliative results have been described, possible disruptive consequences have not yet received attention. The present study examined the effects of tinnitus masker noise on speech intelligibility. Twenty young normals listened to NU-6 word lists presented in sound field in quiet white noise, and cocktail party noise backgrounds (S/N = O dB) with and without a tinnitus masker. Although there was little impairment while wearing the masker in quiet, substantial discrimination loss was observed in the two noise backgrounds. The potential disruption in communication function while wearing a masking device is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Auditory effects of chronic alcoholism.

Clinical reports of hearing loss, tinnitus, and auditory hallucinations, as well as empirical studies of auditory phenomena, have sparked interest in the auditory effects of chronic alcoholism. The auditory system, owing to its multi-synaptic course through the central nervous system and to the many techniques available for diagnostic evaluation, affords a special opportunity for examination of transmission breakdown in alcoholics. The present paper reviews several different approaches to the study of disrupted hearing: histologic evidence: threshold measurement, evoked potential data; acoustic reflex studies; and behavioral central auditory evaluation. The review explores effects attributed to both peripheral and central loci, and outlines the ramifications for research and treatment.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1980

Central auditory dysfunction among chronic alcoholics.

The relationship between chronic alcoholism and auditory processing problems was examined using a central auditory test battery. Fifteen carefully selected alcoholic subjects and 15 age-matched nonalcoholic control subjects were evaluated using pure-tone thresholds, spondee thresholds, speech discrimination, acoustic reflex thresholds, performance-intensity function, Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW) test, Synthetic Sentence Identification (SSI), and temporal summation. Significant differences between the groups were obtained for acoustic reflex measurement, SSW, and SSI. A significant subject-related interaction was obtained for temporal summation measurement. Approximately half of the alcoholics yielded results consistent with brainstem pathologic features.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

The development of a picture speech reception threshold test in Spanish for use with urban U.S. residents of Hispanic background.

The need for an development of a test for measurement of Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) in Spanish are described. The test consists of 51 familiar bisyllabic words, some of which are cognates of English. The aim is development of a test, the vocabulary and procedure of which could be used with patients of diverse Hispanic backgrounds, and for which the administering audiologist need not be able to speak or understand Spanish.

Hispanic or Latino↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The contribution of the acoustic reflex to the ascending-descending most comfortable loudness gap.

The contribution of the acoustic reflex (AR) contraction to the ascending-descending (A-D) gap was explored. 15 normal listeners traced ascending and descending most comfortable loudness (MCL) levels for continuous (C) and interrupted (I) tones at 250, 1000 and 4000 Hz. Reflex thresholds were obtained for each subject at the test frequencies. No evidence was found to implicate the AR as the causative agent in the A-D gap. Two important trends emerged: (1) an ordering of MCL conditions occurred which was consistent across frequencies and (2) there was a consistent difference between AR level and MCL for a given stimulus condition which was constant across frequencies. The findings suggest that a predictive relationship may exist between AR and pure-tone MCL.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Eustachian tube efficiency of geriatric subjects.

The effects of age on Eustachian tube efficiency were examined using a tympanometric swallow procedure. Ten aged males and 10 young controls served as subjects. Tympanograms were examined for middle ear pressure and amplitude after a swallow maneuver and manipulation of external auditory meatus pressure. Statistical analysis of pressure peak findings revealed a significant interaction effect (age X tympanometric condition), which reflected less extreme pressure shifts obtained from geriatric subjects. Lack of shift and shift in the opposite direction from expectation among the geriatric subjects were both observed. The authors suggested that further exploration of possible hypofunction of the aged Eustachian tube relative to that of the young controls is warranted.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reliability of a measure of eustachian tube function in normal subjects.

Short-term reliability of a tympanometric pressure-swallow technique for assessing eustachian tube (ET) ventilating efficiency was measured in 20 normals with intact tympanic membranes on otoadmittance and impedance instruments. Tympanograms were examined for middle ear pressure and amplitude after a swallow maneuver and manipulation of ear canal pressure in a repeated measures design. Test-retest correlations were examined for both pressure shift and amplitude. Poor reliability was obtained for pressure measures with otoadmittance, while high reliability was observed for pressure values on impedance trials and amplitude for both instruments. Findings suggested significant probability of misclassification of normals for repeated measures of ET efficiency, using the currently accepted criterion for minimum pressure shift.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Speaking fundamental frequency of postlingually profoundly deaf adult men.

We investigated the speaking fundamental frequency (F0) of 21 postlingually profoundly sensorineurally deaf men. Results indicated that speaking F0 was significantly higher for the deaf group than for normal-hearing, age-matched men. Neither duration of profound deafness nor hearing aid usage affected speaking F0 values significantly. The findings of the present study provide a baseline for determining the effects of rehabilitation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A central auditory evaluation protocol: a guide for training and diagnosis of lesions of the central system.

The current paper is a tutorial regarding central auditory evaluation (CAE). Evaluation of lesions of the central auditory nervous system is an area of growing interest and activity. A variety of behavioral and electrophysiological methods has been described to detect lesions affecting auditory structures and tracts of the brain stem and cortical levels. In order to foster an organized and rational approach to CAE, the following topics are discussed: prerequisite knowledge needed to perform CAE; the role of history and the basic evaluation; hypothesis formulation; a two-stage CAE protocol, presented in a coded, diagrammatic fashion; and several caveats regarding factors which may complicate test interpretation. Subject variables and additional criteria to be considered in test selection and data interpretation are described. The tutorial is presented in an effort to promote development and refinement of the CAE battery through its systematic application.

Audiometry↗