An alternate approach to constructing distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) suppression tuning curves.

DPOAE suppression tuning curves (STCs) typically are constructed using suppression criteria of 3 or 6 dB. This paper describes a technique for generating DPOAE STCs using criteria ranging from 3 dB to complete suppression. The criterion effect was examined at various primary levels (f = 4 kHz) in normal-hearing ears. As expected, Q and tip-to-tail differences decreased as probe level (L) increased. Q values were not systematically dependent on criterion. For low L’s, tip-to-tail differences decreased as criterion increased. Given similarities in methodology, DPOAE STCs constructed from completely suppressed responses might be most appropriate for comparison to psychophysical tuning curves.