20 dB audiogram "improvement" at 8 kHz?

[brec]

@Neville

Test-retest variability is about 5 dB. Fatigue/illness can have a significant impact on speech testing. Water or wax against the eardrum can affect high frequencies a bit. A leak in the seal of the tranducers can affect low frequencies.

At different facilities in different cities:

I’m pretty sure that improvement in my hearing at 8 kHz is not among the plausible explanations for this difference! What might explain it?

[Neville]

Water or wax on the eardrum at the first test. Poor foam insert placement. Canal collapse with over the ear headphones.

It’s unlikely to impact anything. You’re probably not getting gain at 8kHz anyway.

[michael1]

Was it the same equipment?
I was told that some don’t measure accurately at 8khz.

[DaveL]

I had a similar issue. I appreciate your answers.

In my case I lost confidence in the man who tested.

I’m looking forward to my next hearing test

[brec]

@Neville

Water or wax on the eardrum at the first test. Poor foam insert placement. Canal collapse with over the ear headphones.

(On-the-ear headphones in both instances.) Could water/wax/collapse affect only 8 kHz?

[brec]

@michael1

Was it the same equipment?

I don’t know the exact equipment used, but it was two different, unrelated providers. Both used on-the-ear headphones and a sound booth.

[Neville]

Yes it could.

…too short a response for this forum.