MEASUREMENTS OF ACOUSTIC-IMPEDANCE AT THE INPUT TO THE OCCLUDED EAR CANAL

Multi-frequency (multi-component) acoustic impedance measurements may evolve into a sensitive technique for the remote detection of aural pa thologies. Such data are also relevant to models used in hearing aid d esign and could be an asset to the hearing aid prescription and fittin g process. This report describes the development and use of a broad-ba nd procedure which acquires impedance data in 20 Hz intervals and desc ribes a comparison of data collected at two sites by different investi gators. Mean data were in excellent agreement, and an explanation for a single case of extreme normal variability is presented.