Ablb/Fowler - Interacoustics Affinity 2.0 Additional Information

2.0
Affinity Additional Information

1.7.12 ABLB/Fowler

ABLB (Alternate Binaural Loudness Balancing) is a test to detect perceived loudness differences between
the ears designed for people with unilateral hearing loss. It serves as a possible test for recruitment.
The test is performed at frequencies where recruitment is presumed. The same tone is presented
alternatively to both ears. The intensity is fixed in the impaired ear (20 dB above pure tone threshold). The
task of the patient is to adjust the level of the better ear until the signal in the two ears is of equal intensity.
Note however that the test may also be performed by fixing the intensity in the normal hearing ear and
having the patient set the tone for the impaired ear.
Required Items:
•
2.0
The Affinity hardware
•
Licensed AC440 Audiometry module within your Affinity
•
Calibrated Headphones or insert phones
•
A patient response button
Test Procedure:
1) Open the AC440 module through your patient management system, Noah or OtoAccess™.
2) Choose settings for ABLB/Fowler using the input and output for channel 1 and channel 2 as
illustrated below:
Note: Man (Manual) and Multi Pulse should be selected for channel 1 and Alt (Alternate) for channel 2.
3) Clarify the test procedure to the patient. Explain that he/she will now hear tones in both ears. The
assignment is to determine when the two tones sound equal in intensity/loudness
4) The ABLB is performed at frequencies where recruitment is assumed. Set the intensity level on the
impaired ear to 20 dB above the pure tone threshold using channel 2.
5) Adjust the intensity level in the better ear until the perceived loudness is identical to the impaired ear
using channel 1.
6) Use the arrow buttons on the PC keyboard or the dedicated audiometry keyboard to set the frequency
and intensity. If preferred choose Mouse operated audiometry
the mouse. Left click to stimulate and right click to store the threshold.
7) The ABLB/Fowler test cannot be saved. Results must therefore be noted manually. The reporting/
comment function in the AC440 software may also be of help.
2.0
hardware
and perform the test using only
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