This paper summarizes recent research on functions of the cochlea of the inner ear. The cochlea is described as the seat of the first step in the auditory sound analysis and transduction of mechanical vibration into electrochemical processes leading to the generation of neural action potentials. The cochlea is also described as a frequent seat of…

Text and graphs describe the Dynamic Range Configuration audiogram developed at the Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, Missouri. The audiogram displays the portion of the average speech spectrum audible to the child, with and without amplification, and can be effective in counseling parents and planning appropriate amplification.…

A simple procedure for measuring changes in the acoustic impedance of the ear is described. The technique has several applications, including simulation using a standard coupler of changes in real ear impedance produced by the acoustic reflex, and calibration of response time of an otoadmittance meter. (Author/DB)

The role of audiologist in a medical clinic includes administering hearing tests to patients of all ages, counseling patients and/or parents, and determining the suitability of hearing aids. (LS)

The emphasis among audiologists on audiological evaluation rather than aural rehabilitation is noted and deficiencies in current audiological services are identified in the areas of availability and rapidity of services and the lack of adequate hearing aid evaluation programs. (GW)

The study investigated whether the lower audible frequencies (often perceived by the deaf) contained sufficient prosodic features for 32 normal hearing listeners to correctly identify the intended emotions of the speakers. (Author)

Audiologic test results were reviewed for 30 patients whose hearing was preserved following eighth nerve tumor surgery. Improved auditory brainstem response tracings were seen as probably indicating increased neural synchrony due to reduced pressure on the cochlear nerve following surgery, whereas reduced hearing sensitivity probably reflects…

This paper describes a new "class" of auditory tests designed to evaluated the ability of young children to detect commonly encountered sounds; localize sound sources; and understand speech in noise. The tests appear to be sensitive to the effects of auditory pathology and to the normal development of auditory processing skills. (DB)

Sixteen experienced cochlear-implant patients with a range of speech-perception abilities received the SPEAK processing strategy in the Nucleus Spectra-22 cochlear implant. After six months' experience with SPEAK, patients showed significantly improved mean performance on a range of speech recognition measures in quiet and noise. Improvements were…

Occlusion effects were determined and compared on three groups of subjects (20 normal hearers, 20 with conductive hearing loss, and 20 with sensorineural hearing loss). (Author)