Table 2.
Maximum Detectable Hearing Loss Based on Control Group Mean to Lowest Detectable OAE
| … | Frequency Group | Low 1, 1.5, 2 kHz | Mid 3, 4, 5 kHz | Mid-high 6, 7, 8 kHz | High 9, 10 kHz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| … | Lowest OAE Level | −10 dB | −15 dB | −13 dB | −16 dB |
| Age group | Sex | … | … | … | … |
| 18–29 y | F | 22.3 db | 25.4 dB | 14 dB | 11.1 dB |
| M | 18.4 dB | 19.0 dB | 6.8 dB | 9.6 dB | |
| 30–39 y | F | 16.7 dB | 19.4 dB | 7.4 dB | 5.3 dB |
| M | 19.2 dB | 18.0 dB | 2.3 dB | 4.7 dB | |
| 40–49 y | F | 17.2 dB | 15.2 dB | 2.0 dB | 4.7 dB |
| M | 14.8 dB | 15.1 dB | 2.4 dB | 4.3 dB | |
| 50–59 y | F | 12.5 dB | 14.8 dB | 0.5 dB | 0.4 dB |
| M | 16.0 dB | 9.7 dB | 0 dB | 2.1 dB | |
| 60–69 y | F | 13.3 dB | 13.6 dB | 0.2 dB | 0 dB |
| M | 13.8 dB | 4.0 dB | 0 dB | 2.4 dB | |
| 70–79 y | F | 7.0 dB | 4.3 dB | 0 dB | 0 dB |
| M | 6.8 dB | 1.1 dB | 0 dB | 2.7 dB | |
| >80 y | F | 2.9 dB | 1.1 dB | 0 dB | 0 dB |
| M | 2.2 dB | 0 dB | 0 dB | 0.5 dB |
Only values in bold were included in the data-analysis of hearing loss in meningitis patients. The range from the control group mean emission threshold levels to the noise floor with an added SNR of 3 dB for the low to mid-high frequencies and 6 dB in the high frequency spectrum is shown for both sexes in decennials from 18 y to 80+.
Abbreviations: OAE, otoacoustic emission; SNR, signal-to-noise ratio.