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.
Key Words
Acceptance of noise - acceptable noise level - children - preschool children
