Comparison of SSPL90 selection procedures

Recommended SSPL90 values were determined at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz for 16 subjects with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing losses using six different selection procedures, including an Upper Limit of Comfortable Listening (ULCL) and threshold-based procedure by Cox (1988), a threshold-based procedure by Seewald and Ross (1988), and loudness discomfort procedures by Berger (1988), McCandless and Lyregaard (1983), and Hawkins et al (1987) and Libby (1985). Statistically significant differences were found among the procedures at 500 and 2000 Hz. Analysis of individual data showed that while some subjects obtained similar recommended SSPL90s across the procedures, others showed dramatically different values.