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Effect of Sound Preference on Loudness Tolerance and Preferred Listening Levels Using Personal Listening Devices
Yula C Serpanos1,2, Thomas DiBlasi3, Jasmin Butler1,2
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Adelphi University, Hy Weinberg Center, 158 Cambridge Avenue, Room 122, Garden City, NY 11530, USA.
Audiology Research
|June 25, 2025
Summary
Sound preference significantly impacts preferred listening levels (PLLs) when using personal listening devices (PLDs). Enjoyable sounds lead to higher, potentially risky, listening volumes, highlighting a need for targeted hearing health counseling.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Personal listening devices (PLDs) are widely used, raising concerns about safe listening levels.
- Understanding how sound preference influences loudness perception is crucial for hearing health promotion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sound preference and loudness tolerance (LTLs) and preferred listening levels (PLLs) with PLDs.
- To discuss implications for hearing health counseling regarding PLD usage.
Main Methods:
- 50 participants (normal hearing or hearing loss, aged 21-90) rated sound samples (music, speech, noise) by preference.
- Participants adjusted volume to their LTL and PLL for sounds in each preference category using PLDs.
Main Results:
- Music was mostly enjoyable (70%), speech acceptable (54%), and noise unpleasant (84%).
- No significant difference in LTLs based on sound preference.
- PLLs were significantly higher for enjoyable sounds compared to acceptable or unpleasant sounds.
Conclusions:
- Sound preference affects loudness perception and listening levels with PLDs.
- Higher PLLs for enjoyable sounds suggest a risk of overexposure.
- Hearing health counseling should address altered loudness perception and higher listening levels for enjoyable sounds from PLDs.
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