Deafness is predominantly at the high-pitched frequencies and becomes socially perturbing when the audiometric threshold is superior to 30 dB HL at the 2 000 Hz frequency.
Campus ORL
Item 60 : Neurosensory deficit in the elderly: deafness and vertigo
Collège Français d'ORL et de Chirurgie Cervico-faciale
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Fig.1 : Graph showing the progression of average auditory thresholds in tonal audiometry as a function of the patient’s age
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Fig.2 : Tonal audiometry showing perception deafness beginning at the high-pitched frequencies
Early presbycusis; CO: bone conduction; CA: air conduction.
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Fig.3 : An air conductive hearing aid permits the amplification of the spoken signal in case of deafness
The sound is captured by a microphone, and the signal is then treated by an electronic circuit before being delivered in the external auditive conduit by the transducer. The intra-conduit aid contains the three elements (microphone, electronics, and transducer) molded in a small rigid shell that is inserted in the external auditive conduit (small size – limited amplification). The intraconque aid contains the same elements in the shell placed in the conque; it has a larger size and allows for greater amplification. The around the ear aid contains the three elements, and the sound is delivered via a silicone ear tip placed in the conduit; it is the type of aid that permits the maximum amplification.