scholarly journals Acceptable Noise Level Stability Over a One-Year Period of Time

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (05) ◽  
pp. 336-341
Author(s):  
Melinda F. Bryan ◽  
Susan Gordon-Hickey ◽  
Ashton L. Hay ◽  
Shelby T. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Auditory Nervous System ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level ◽  
Listening Levels ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Stability

Abstract Background The acceptable noise level (ANL) is a measure of willingness to listen to speech in the presence of background noise and is thought to be related to success with amplification. To date, ANLs have only been assessed over short periods of time, including within a session and over a 3-week and 3-month time period. ANL stability over longer periods of time has not been assessed. Purpose The purpose was to examine the stability of ANL over a 1-year time period. Research Design A repeated-measures, longitudinal study was completed. Study Sample Thirty young adults with normal hearing served as participants. The participants were tested at two different sites. Data Collection and Analysis Two trials of most comfortable listening levels (MCLs), background noise levels (BNLs), and ANLs were assessed for each participant during three experimental sessions: at 0 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Results Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variances revealed no significant change in MCLs, BNLs, or ANLs within a session or over a 1-year time period. These results indicate that ANLs remain stable for 1 year in listeners with normal hearing. Conclusions The finding that the ANL is stable over a longer period of time supports the theory that the ANL is an inherent trait of the listener and mediated at in the central auditory nervous system.

Acceptable Noise-Level Stability Over a One-Year Period of Time

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda F. Bryan ◽  
Susan Gordon-Hickey ◽  
Ashton L. Hay ◽  
Shelby T. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Auditory Nervous System ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Repeated Measures Analysis ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level ◽  
Listening Levels ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Stability

Background: The acceptable noise level (ANL) is a measure of willingness to listen to speech in thepresence of background noise and is thought to be related to success with amplification. To date, ANLshave only been assessed over short periods of time, including within a session and over a three-week andthree-month time period. ANL stability over longer periods of time has not been assessed.<br />Purpose: The purpose was to examine the stability of ANL over a one-year time period.<br />Research Design: A repeated-measures, longitudinal study was completed.<br />Study Sample: Thirty young adults with normal hearing served as participants. The participants weretested at two different sites.<br />Data Collection and Analysis: Two trials of most comfortable listening levels (MCLs), background noiselevels (BNLs), and ANLs were assessed for each participant during three experimental sessions: at0 months, six months, and one year.<br />Results: Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variances revealed no significant change in MCLs,BNLs, or ANLs within a session or over a one-year time period. These results indicate that ANLs remainstable for one year in listeners with normal hearing.<br />Conclusions: The finding that the ANL is stable over a longer period of time supports the theory that theANL is an inherent trait of the listener and mediated at in the central auditory nervous system.<br />

The Influence of Listener's Gender on the Acceptance of Background Noise

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (07) ◽  
pp. 372-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deanna S. Rogers ◽  
Ashley W. Harkrider ◽  
Samuel B. Burchfield ◽  
Anna K. Nabelek
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Hearing Status ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level ◽  
Listening Levels ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Difference

The acceptance of background noise can be assessed by having participants select the maximum background noise level (BNL) to which they are willing to listen while following speech at their most comfortable listening level (MCL). The difference between the selected BNL and MCL is the acceptable noise level (ANL). Preliminary investigations have revealed large between-participant ANL differences that are not related to age, hearing status, preference for background noise, or uncomfortable listening level. This study investigated listener's gender as a possible factor contributing to these between-participant differences. Comfortable listening levels for speech and accepted levels of speech-babble background noise were obtained binaurally, via the sound field, from 50 (25 male, 25 female) young, acoustically naive adults with normal hearing sensitivity. Results indicate that, although males had higher comfortable listening levels and accepted higher levels of background noise than females, ANL values were not different between males and females.

The Effect of Speech Presentation Level on Acceptance of Background Noise in Listeners with Normal Hearing

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (02) ◽  
pp. 141-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford A. Franklin ◽  
James W. Thelin ◽  
Anna K. Nabelek ◽  
Samuel B. Burchfield
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Presentation Level ◽  
Background Noise Level ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Speech Presentation

A method has been established to measure the maximum acceptable background noise level (BNL) for a listener, while listening to speech at the most comfortable listening level (MCL). The acceptable noise level (ANL) is the difference between BNL and MCL. In the present study, the ANL procedure was used to measure acceptance of noise, first, in the presence of speech at MCL and, then, for speech presented at much lower and higher levels in listeners with normal hearing. This study used the term ANL to describe the results obtained at MCL and also at other speech presentation levels. The mean ANL at MCL was 15.5 dB, which is comparable to results obtained by previous investigators. ANL increases systematically with speech presentation level. Mean ANLs ranged from 10.6 dB when speech was presented at 20 dB HL to 24.6 dB when speech was presented at 76 dB HL. The results indicated that the acceptance of noise depends significantly on speech presentation level.

scholarly journals Acceptable noise levels in Arabic-Persian bilinguals

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fateme Taheri ◽  
Ahmad Geshani ◽  
Jamileh Fatahi ◽  
Shohreh Jalaie ◽  
Mojtaba Tavakoli
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Persian Version ◽  
Background Noise Level ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level ◽  
The Difference ◽  
E Mail

Background and Aim: Acceptable noise level (ANL) test is a reliable measure of people’s abi­lity to tolerate background noise. Central ner­vous system is one of the determinant factors in subject’s tolerance of noise. Bilinguals’ diffe­rent central activity pattern may yield different ANL test results from monolinguals. This study aims to compare noise tolerance function in Arabic-Persian bilinguals with Persian monolin­guals via Persian version of ANL. Methods: In the present study, the Persian ver­sion of ANL was administered on 115 cases with normal hearing (56 male, 59 female) aged 18–37 years in three groups of the Persian mon­olingual, sequential Arabic-Persian bilinguals, and simultaneous Arabic-Persian bilinguals. Results: The statistical analysis revealed sig­nificant difference in most comfortable level (p = 0.002) and background noise level (p = 0.011) among three groups, i.e. between Persian monolinguals and sequential Arabic-Persian bil­inguals and between Persian monolinguals and simultaneous Arabic-Persian bilinguals. In other words, mean scores of bilingual were higher than monolingual scores. There was no signifi­cant difference among three groups with regard to ANL scores (p = 0.114). * Corresponding author: Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Piche-Shemiran, Enghelab Ave., Tehran, 1148965141, Iran. Tel: 009821-77530636, E-mail: [email protected] Conclusion: Despite the difference between Persian monolinguals and Arabic-Persian bilin­guals in most comfortable level and background noise level, there is no significance difference in ANL results. Therefore, auditory central proce­ssing acts similarly in normal hearing monolin­gual and bilingual subjects. As a result, Persian version of ANL can be used for Arabic-Persian bilinguals, too.

Acceptable Noise Levels in Preschool Children with Normal Hearing

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (09) ◽  
pp. 823-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda Freyaldenhoven Bryan ◽  
Clifford Franklin ◽  
Krystal Sullivan Ware ◽  
Rachel Horne
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Noise Level ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Good Test ◽  
Speech Stimuli ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Background: The acceptable noise level (ANL) measure is an indicator of hearing aid use. The majority of research in this area has focused primarily on adults. Research using school-aged listeners, specifically 8 and 12 yr old children, demonstrated that the average ANL values, standard deviations (SDs), and distribution of ANL values for these children were similar to those of adult listeners. Additionally, the ANL measure is reliable over time, even in school-aged listeners. Although ANL values from adult and school-aged listeners have been investigated, no research to date has been conducted using preschool children. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine if ANLs could be obtained in preschool children, aged 4 and 5 yr, with normal hearing. This study also aimed to investigate the reliability and distribution of ANL measurements from preschool children, as well as any effect that background noise might present in the listening environment. Research Design: Seated in a sound-treated test suite, listeners were tasked with adjusting speech stimuli to their most comfortable listening level; then, with speech present, listeners were tasked with adjusting the background noise to their most acceptable background noise level. Three trials of each measure were averaged and were used to calculate each listener's ANL. Study Sample: ANLs were attempted on 23 children, ages 4 yr (N = 14) to 5 yr (N = 9), with normal hearing. Results: Less than half of the 4 yr old listeners performed the ANL task, whereas all of the 5 yr old listeners completed the task successfully. Good test-retest reliability was found for those preschool children who were able to complete the task. Mean ANLs, SDs, ranges, and distributions demonstrated that these values agree with ANL data collected from older school-aged listeners. Conclusions: Although ANL values were reliably measured in all of the 5 yr old listeners, this was not the case for 4 yr old listeners. ANL values were not reliably obtained from 4 yr old listeners; however, the ANL procedure is appropriate for use for 5 yr old listeners. Furthermore, ANL means, SDs, ranges, and distributions were in agreement with those from older school-aged children and adults, and ANLs in preschool listeners were unaffected by the type of background noise stimuli.

Influence of Music and Music Preference on Acceptable Noise Levels in Listeners with Normal Hearing

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (05) ◽  
pp. 417-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Gordon-Hickey ◽  
Robert E. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Maximum Level ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Music Preference ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level ◽  
Acceptable Noise Levels ◽  
Better Than

Acceptable noise level (ANL) is defined as the maximum level of background noise that an individual is willing to accept while listening to speech. The type of background noise does not affect ANL results with the possible exception of music. The purpose of this study was to determine if ANL for music was different from ANL for twelve-talker babble and investigate if there was a correlation between ANL for music samples and preference for those music samples. Results demonstrated that ANL for music tended to be better than ANL for twelve-talker babble, indicating listeners were more willing to accept music as a background noise than speech babble. The results further demonstrated that ANL for the music samples were not correlated with preference for the music samples, indicating that ANL for music was not related to music preference. Therefore, music appeared to be processed differently as a background noise than twelve-talker babble. Un nivel aceptable de ruido (ANL) esta definido como el máximo nivel de ruido de fondo que un individuo esta dispuesto a aceptar mientras escucha el lenguaje. El tipo de ruido de fondo no afecta el ANL, con la posible excepción de la música (Nabelek y col., 1991). El propósito de este estudio fue determinar si el ANL para la música era diferente del ANL ante un balbuceo de doce hablantes, e investigar si existía una correlación entre los ANL para muestras de música, y para la preferencia con respecto a estas muestras de música. Los resultados demostraron que el ANL para la música tendió a ser mejor que el ANL para el balbuceo de doce hablantes, indicando que los sujetos estaban más dispuestos a aceptar la música como ruido de fondo que el lenguaje en balbuceo. Los resultados además demostraron que el ANL para las muestras de música no correlacionaba con la preferencia para las muestras de música, indicando que los ANL para la música no tenía que ver con la preferencia musical. Por lo tanto, la música parece procesarse diferente como ruido de fondo que el balbuceo de doce hablantes.

scholarly journals Comparison of Acceptable Noise Level Generated Using Different Transducers and Response Modes

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Liang Xia ◽  
Jingchun He ◽  
Yuanyuan Sun ◽  
Yi Chen ◽  
Qiong Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Presentation Modes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Response Modes ◽  
Chinese Subjects

The acceptable noise level (ANL) was defined by subtracting the background noise level (BNL) from the most comfortable listening level (MCL) (ANL = MCL − BNL). This study compared the ANL obtained through different methods in 20 Chinese subjects with normal hearing. ANL was tested with Mandarin speech materials using a loudspeaker or earphones, with each subject tested by himself or by the audiologist. The presentation and response modes were as follows: (1) loudspeaker with self-adjusted noise levels using audiometer controls (LS method); (2) loudspeaker with the subject signaling the audiologist to adjust speech and noise levels (LA method); (3) earphones with self-adjusted noise levels using audiometer controls (ES method); and (4) earphones with the subject signaling the audiologist to adjust speech and noise levels (EA method). ANL was calculated from three measurements with each method. There was no significant difference in the ANL obtained through different presentation modes or response modes sound. The correlations between ANL, MCL, and BNL obtained from each two methods were significant. In conclusion, the ANL in normal-hearing Mandarin listeners may not be affected by presentation modes such as a loudspeaker or earphones nor is it affected by self-adjusted or audiologist-adjusted response modes. Earphone audiometry is as reliable as sound field audiometry and provides an easy and convenient way to measure ANL.

An Electrophysiological Measure of Binaural Hearing in Noise

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (06) ◽  
pp. 481-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Weihing ◽  
Frank E. Musiek
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Otoacoustic Emissions ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Binaural Hearing ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Different Levels

Background: A common complaint of patients with (central) auditory processing disorder is difficulty understanding speech in noise. Because binaural hearing improves speech understanding in compromised listening situations, quantifying this ability in different levels of noise may yield a measure with high clinical utility. Purpose: To examine binaural enhancement (BE) and binaural interaction (BI) in different levels of noise for the auditory brainstem response (ABR) and middle latency response (MLR) in a normal hearing population. Research Design: An experimental study in which subjects were exposed to a repeated measures design. Study Sample: Fifteen normal hearing female adults served as subjects. Normal hearing was assessed by pure-tone audiometry and otoacoustic emissions. Intervention: All subjects were exposed to 0, 20, and 35 dB effective masking (EM) of white noise during monotic and diotic click stimulation. Data Collection and Analysis: ABR and MLR responses were simultaneously acquired. Peak amplitudes and latencies were recorded and compared across conditions using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: For BE, ABR results showed enhancement at 0 and 20 dB EM, but not at 35 dB EM. The MLR showed BE at all noise levels, but the degree of BE decreased with increasing noise level. For BI, both the ABR and MLR showed BI at all noise levels. However, the degree of BI again decreased with increasing noise level for the MLR. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the ability to measure BE simultaneously in the ABR and MLR in up to 20 dB of EM noise and BI in up to 35 dB EM of noise. Results also suggest that ABR neural generators may respond to noise differently than MLR generators.

Most Comfortable Listening Levels, Background Noise Levels, and Acceptable Noise Levels for Children and Adults with Normal Hearing

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (05) ◽  
pp. 286-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Moore ◽  
Susan Gordon-Hickey ◽  
Alisha Jones
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Noise Level ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Developmental Change ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Difference

Background: For adults the acceptable noise level (ANL) has been shown to be a strong predictor of hearing aid success. ANL is calculated as the difference between most comfortable listening level (MCL) and background noise level (BNL). No studies have made direct comparisons of these measures between adults and children. Purpose: To evaluate and compare MCLs, BNLs, and ANLs in children and young adults. Research Design: A cross-sectional design was used in this study. Two groups (children and adults) were tested for each dependent variable. MCLs and BNLs were measured for each participant, and ANLs were computed from these two measurements. Study Sample: The participants were 34 children (8–10 yr) and 34 young adults (19–29 yr) with normal hearing. Results: Significant main effects were found for MCLs and BNLs. There was no main effect for ANLs. MCLs and BNLs were significantly lower for the children than for the adults. Conclusions: These results suggest that while ANLs are unchanged from childhood to adulthood, there appears to be a developmental change in MCLs and BNLs. These findings have implications for the use of ANLs in the pediatric population.

Intertester Reliability of the Acceptable Noise Level

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (07) ◽  
pp. 534-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Gordon-Hickey ◽  
Elizabeth Adams ◽  
Robert Moore ◽  
Ashley Gaal ◽  
Katie Berry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Instruction Set ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background: The acceptable noise level (ANL) serves to accurately predict the listener's likelihood of success with amplification. It has been proposed as a pre–hearing aid fitting protocol for hearing aid selection and counseling purposes. The ANL is a subjective measure of the listener's ability to accept background noise. Measurement of ANL relies on the tester and listener to follow the instructions set forth. To date, no research has explored the reliability of ANL as measured across clinicians or testers. Purpose: To examine the intertester reliability of ANL. Research Design: A descriptive quasi-experimental reliability study was completed. ANL was measured for one group of listeners by three testers. Study Sample: Three participants served as testers. Each tester was familiar with basic audiometry. Twenty-five young adults with normal hearing served as listeners. Data Collection/Analysis: Each tester was stationed in a laboratory with the needed equipment. Listeners were instructed to report to these laboratories in a random order provided by the experimenters. The testers assessed most comfortable listening level (MCL) and background noise level (BNL) for all 25 listeners. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients were significant and revealed that MCL, BNL, and ANLs are reliable across testers. Additionally, one-way ANOVAs for MCL, BNL, and ANL were not significant. These findings indicate that MCL, BNL, and ANL do not differ significantly when measured by different testers. Conclusions: If the ANL instruction set is accurately followed, ANL can be reliably measured across testers, laboratories, and clinics. Intertester reliability of ANL allows for comparison across ANLs measured by different individuals. Findings of the present study indicate that tester reliability can be ruled out as a factor contributing to the disparity of mean ANLs reported in the literature.

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