Occluded insertion loss from intracochlear pressure measurements during acoustic shock wave exposure

Auditory injuries are a common result of high intensity noise exposure, and hearing protective devices (HPDs) can mitigate this injury. Current evaluation methods use manikins to measure ear canal SPLs, but neglect alternate sound conduction pathways. We have previously reported intracochlear pressures in cadaveric human specimens to high-level impulse noise, revealing a substantial bone conducted component. Here, we estimate insertion loss during HPD use from intracochlear pressures in those same specimens. Cadaveric specimens were exposed to shock waves with peak overpressures of 7–83 kPa. Fiber optic pressure sensors were placed in the external, middle, and inner ears and responses measured with ears unoccluded and with four HPDs. Spectral insertion loss was calculated for each exposure level in the frequency domain. Insertion losses calculated from EAC pressures were comparable across levels, consistent with results from acoustic manikins. In contrast, insertion loss calculated from intracochlear pressures were generally lower in magnitude, but increased with the exposure level, likely due to substantial contributions of secondary transmission pathways. Unfortunately, variability in intracochlear pressures limit insertion loss estimate utility. As a proof of concept, we show that averaging multiple exposures increased signal-to-noise considerably, similar noise reduction strategies should be utilized in future studies.