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J Am Acad Audiol 2021; 32(01): 003-009
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1719092
Research Article

Acceptable Noise Levels Determined by Traditional and Self-Assessed Methods

Megan Barnett
1   Department of Communication Disorders, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
,
Alisha L. Jones
1   Department of Communication Disorders, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
,
Erin Westbrook
1   Department of Communication Disorders, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
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Abstract

Background Many apps have been developed for users to screen their hearing in their own home. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and efficiency of a self-assessed acceptable noise level (ANL) in comparison to the traditional ANL measurements.

Research Design A within-subject repeated measures research design was utilized.

Data Collection and Analysis Sixty-two adults with normal hearing were recruited from Auburn University and the surrounding community. ANLs were measured utilizing the traditional measurement as well as the self-assessed ANL via the Unitron uHear app.

Results Within-subject repeated measures of variance revealed no significant differences between traditional ANL measurements and self-assessed ANL measurements. Significant differences were found for time required for testing in each condition, revealing self-assessed testing to be significantly faster.

Conclusion The self-assessed ANL measurement via the Unitron uHear app is a valid and efficient measurement of ANL in adults with normal hearing.

Keywords

hearing aids - assistive listening devices - acceptable noise levels

Note

Parts of this manuscript were presented as a poster at the 2018 American Academy of Audiology conference in Nashville, TN.




Publication History

Received: 02 January 2019

Accepted: 21 April 2020

Article published online:
15 February 2021

© 2021. American Academy of Audiology. This article is published by Thieme.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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