Assessing the effect of headphone position on pure tone audiometry thresholds in conventional frequency range

Undoubtedly، pure tone audiometry is the most reliable test for the evaluation of auditory system disorders. Headphone position is among the factors affecting the precise detection of hearing thresholds. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of headphone position on pure tone audiometry thresholds. In this cross-sectional study، 50 adults (25 men and 25 women) were randomly selected. At first، all participants underwent otoscopic and tympanometry evaluations and their histories were obtained. Then، hearing thresholds in conventional frequency range (with 1- and 5-dB stepwise increase in the intensity of these stimulus frequencies) were detected for both ears. Thresholds were detected and recorded in a descending order while headphones were first mounted by patients and then by examiners. The data were statistically analyzed via Paired t test. The threshold difference pertaining to the shifts in headphone position was significant in all frequencies for both ears (P < 0. 05). Headphone position affects the pure tone audiometry thresholds in conventional frequencies implying the necessity of mounting headphones by a professional audiologist during all clinical evaluations.