Relationship between pure-tone and speech loudness discomfort levels among hearing-impaired subjects

The purpose of this study was to investigate how accurately pure-tone (250-6000 Hz) loudness discomfort levels (LDLs) predict speech (CID Test W-22) LDLs. One ear was tested in each of 50 elderly subjects with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss. The results revealed poor-to-fair correlations (r = 0.00 to 0.42) and large standard errors of estimate (approximately 9.5 dB). Thus, it was concluded that pure-tone LDLs are not accurate predictors of the speech LDL, and, if the clinician wants to ascertain the upper intensity for listening to speech, this measurement must be made directly.