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.

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 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.

Comparison of Speech Perception in Background Noise With Acceptance of Background Noise in Aided and Unaided Conditions

2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1001-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna K. Nabelek ◽  
Joanna W. Tampas ◽  
Samuel B. Burchfield
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Noise Level ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Speech Perception In Noise ◽  
Speech Understanding In Noise ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level

Background noise is a significant factor influencing hearing-aid satisfaction and is a major reason for rejection of hearing aids. Attempts have been made by previous researchers to relate the use of hearing aids to speech perception in noise (SPIN), with an expectation of improved speech perception followed by an increased acceptance of hearing aids. Unfortunately, SPIN was not related to hearing-aid use or satisfaction. A new measure of listener reaction to background noise has been proposed. The acceptable noise level (ANL), expressed in decibels, is defined as a difference between the most comfortable listening level for speech and the highest background noise level that is acceptable when listening to and following a story. The ANL measure assumes that speech understanding in noise may not be as important as is the willingness to listen in the presence of noise. It has been established that people who accept background noise have smaller ANLs and tend to be "good" users of hearing aids. Conversely, people who cannot accept background noise have larger ANLs and may only use hearing aids occasionally or reject them altogether. Because this is a new measure, it was important to determine the reliability of the ANL over time with and without hearing aids, to determine the effect of acclimatization to hearing aids, and to compare the ANL to well-established measures such as speech perception scores collected with the SPIN test. Results from 50 listeners indicate that for both good and occasional hearing aid users, the ANL is comparable in reliability to the SPIN test and that both measures do not change with acclimatization. The ANLs and SPIN scores are unrelated. Although the SPIN scores improve with amplification, the ANLs are unaffected by amplification, suggesting that the ANL is inherent to an individual and can be established prior to hearing aid fitting as a possible predictor of hearing-aid use. KEY WORDS : background noise, hearing aids, acceptable noise level, speech perception in noise

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.

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.

The Role of the Medial Olivocochlear Reflex in Acceptable Noise Level in Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah M. Jamos ◽  
Blair Hosier ◽  
Shelby Davis ◽  
Thomas C. Franklin
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Broadband Noise ◽  
Noise Tolerance ◽  
Medial Olivocochlear Reflex ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level ◽  
Medial Olivocochlear ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background The acceptable noise level (ANL) is a measurement used to quantify how much noise a person is willing to accept while listening to speech. ANL has been used to predict success with hearing aid use. However, physiological correlates of the ANL are poorly understood. One potential physiological correlate is the medial olivocochlear reflex (MOCR), which decreases the output of the cochlea and is thereby expected to increase noise tolerance. Purpose This study investigates the relationship between contralateral activation of the MOCR and tolerance of background noise. Research Design This study recruited 22 young adult participants with normal hearing. ANL was measured using the Arizona Travelogue recording under headphones presented at the most comfortable level (MCL) with and without multitalker babble noise. The MOCR strength was evaluated in all participants by measuring the cochlear microphonic (CM) with and without 40 dB sound pressure level contralateral broadband noise (CBBN). Data Analysis The CM observed in response to a 500-Hz tone was measured with and without CBBN, and changes in response to fast Fourier transform amplitude at 500 Hz were used as an indicator of the MOCR effect. The ANL was calculated by subtracting the maximum acceptable background noise level from the MCL. Participants were divided into two groups based on their ANL: low-ANL (ANL < 7 dB) and moderate-ANL (ANL ≥ 7 dB). An independent samples t-test was used to compare CM enhancement between low-ANL and moderate-ANL groups. Additionally, Pearson's correlation was used to investigate the relationship between the ANL and the MOCR effect on the CM. Results The results indicated that presentation of CBBN increased the CM amplitude, consistent with eliciting the MOCR. Participants in the low-ANL group had significantly larger CM enhancement than moderate-ANL participants. The results further revealed a significant correlation between the ANL and the MOCR effect on the CM. Conclusion This study suggests that a stronger MOCR, as assessed using CM enhancement, is associated with greater noise tolerance. This research provides a possible objective measure to predict background tolerance in patients and adds to our understanding about the MOCR function in humans.

Acceptable Noise Level as a Predictor of Hearing Aid Use

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (09) ◽  
pp. 626-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna K. Nabelek ◽  
Melinda C. Freyaldenhoven ◽  
Joanna W. Tampas ◽  
Samuel B. Burchfield ◽  
Robert A. Muenchen
Keyword(s):  
Time Use ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Noise Level ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Acceptable Noise Level ◽  
Part Time

Acceptable noise level (ANL) measures a listener's reaction to background noise while listening to speech. Relations among hearing aid use and ANL, speech in noise (SPIN) scores, and listener characteristics (age, gender, pure-tone average) were investigated in 191 listeners with hearing impairment. Listeners were assigned to one of three groups based on patterns of hearing aid use: full-time use (whenever hearing aids are needed), part-time use (occasional use), or nonuse. Results showed that SPIN scores and listener characteristics were not related to ANL or hearing aid use. However, ANLs were related to hearing aid use. Specifically, full-time hearing aid users accepted more background noise than part-time users or nonusers, yet part-time users and nonusers could not be differentiated. Thus, a prediction of hearing aid use was examined by comparing part-time users and nonusers (unsuccessful hearing aid users) with full-time users (successful hearing aid users). Regression analysis determined that unaided ANLs could predict a listener's success of hearing aids with 85% accuracy.

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.

Use of a Mild-Gain Hearing Aid by Middle-Age Normal-Hearing Adults Who Do and Do Not Self-Report Trouble Hearing in Background Noise

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-428
Author(s):  
Jasleen Singh ◽  
Karen A. Doherty
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Hearing Handicap ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Hearing Problems

Purpose The aim of the study was to assess how the use of a mild-gain hearing aid can affect hearing handicap, motivation, and attitudes toward hearing aids for middle-age, normal-hearing adults who do and do not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. Method A total of 20 participants (45–60 years of age) with clinically normal-hearing thresholds (< 25 dB HL) were enrolled in this study. Ten self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise, and 10 did not self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. All participants were fit with mild-gain hearing aids, bilaterally, and were asked to wear them for 2 weeks. Hearing handicap, attitudes toward hearing aids and hearing loss, and motivation to address hearing problems were evaluated before and after participants wore the hearing aids. Participants were also asked if they would consider purchasing a hearing aid before and after 2 weeks of hearing aid use. Results After wearing the hearing aids for 2 weeks, hearing handicap scores decreased for the participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise. No changes in hearing handicap scores were observed for the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. The participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise also reported greater personal distress from their hearing problems, were more motivated to address their hearing problems, and had higher levels of hearing handicap compared to the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. Only 20% (2/10) of the participants who self-reported trouble hearing in background noise reported that they would consider purchasing a hearing aid after 2 weeks of hearing aid use. Conclusions The use of mild-gain hearing aids has the potential to reduce hearing handicap for normal-hearing, middle-age adults who self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. However, this may not be the most appropriate treatment option for their current hearing problems given that only 20% of these participants would consider purchasing a hearing aid after wearing hearing aids for 2 weeks.

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.

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