Pure-Tone-Spondee Threshold Relationships in Functional Hearing Loss: A Test of Loudness Contribution
Robert S Schlauch1, Heekyung J Han1, Tzu-Ling J Yu1
1University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR
|December 16, 2016
Summary
Differences in hearing loss measurements for pure tones versus spondees are mainly due to calibration standards. Functional hearing loss assessments must account for the higher recognition threshold of spondees compared to pure tones.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Psychoacoustics
- Hearing Science
Background:
- Functional hearing loss can present with discrepancies between pure-tone average and spondee thresholds.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of hearing impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying reasons for the observed differences between pure-tone average and spondee thresholds in cases of functional hearing loss.
- To evaluate the role of loudness perception and calibration standards in these threshold discrepancies.
Main Methods:
- Loudness magnitude estimation functions were collected from 24 participants using pure tones, vowels, spondees, and speech-shaped noise at various sound pressure levels (SPL).
- A computational, dynamic loudness model was employed to predict loudness for the same stimuli.
- Equal-loudness levels were determined by fitting loudness functions.
Main Results:
- Speech-shaped noise was perceived as louder than vowels/spondees, which were perceived as louder than pure tones at equivalent SPL.
- A 2.1-dB difference at equal loudness between spondees and tones increased to 12.1 dB when converted from SPL to hearing level (HL).
Conclusions:
- Pure-tone average-spondee threshold differences in functional hearing loss are largely explained by calibration differences for 0 dB HL between tones (detection) and speech (recognition).
- Individuals feigning hearing loss often overlook the approximately 9 dB higher recognition threshold for spondees compared to speech detection thresholds.
- The dynamic loudness model demonstrated superior accuracy compared to a static model in predicting loudness.
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