Selection of Testing Frequency in Bone Vibrator of Audiometer for Measurement of Vivration Perception Threshold

Lee, Jong Young; Park, Wan Seoup; Kim, Yeong Hwan; Kim, Doohie

Abstract

Both to determine testing frequency in bone vibrator of audiometer for measurement of vibration perception threshold(VPT) and to evaluate factors influencing VPT, ninty seven healthy adults were tested on their second metacarpal head of both hands, at 250Hz, 500Hz, 1,000Hz and so on. Measures of the VPTs at 1,000Hz were excluded in analysis because frequency 1,000Hz was not recognized as a vibration sense. Mean and standard deviation(S.D.) of the VPTs in the both hands measured at 250Hz were 19.9+/-6.7dB, 21.0+/-7.3dB, respectively and at 500Hz were 33.6+/-8.3dB, 34.9+/-8.1dB, respectively. Both mean and S.D. tended to be lower at 250Hz than 500Hz, and mean differences of VPTs between the left and the right hand at the both frequencies appeared statistically significant (p<0.01). VPTs were significantly correlated with each other (p<0.01). Age was positively correlated(p<0.001) with VPTs and education was negatively(p<0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that age was the only factor influenced on VPT. These results suggest that, when using the bone vibrator of audiometer for measurement of VPT, the frequency 250Hz as a testing frequency may be more useful than frequency 500Hz, and VPT should be measured on both hands.