High-frequency Bekesy audiometry: III. Reliability and validity revisited.

Normal-hearing young adults (N: 30) produced 3 fixed-frequency monaural audiograms by Bekesy tracking on a Grason-Stadler E-800 audiometer (modified for high frequencies) for pulsed pure tones in 2-kc/s steps progressively from 7-19 kc/s. The earphone was not moved between one pair of audiograms but was removed and replaced between another pair. After 1 mo, 16 Ss returned for retest on the HF E-800 audiometer and on a similar audiometer using the conventional Method of Limits. Maximum group mean retest HTL differences approximated 5 db. Statistical analysis indicated that the arrays of HTLs within and across sessions were equivalent. Reliability and validity coefficients were high and significantly different from zero. It was concluded that the HF E-800 could with such Ss be used with some confidence to assess high-frequency sensitivity.