Is 'Normal Hearing' Truly Normal? Temporal Processing and Speech Perception in Noise Abilities Amongst Relatively
Ritik Srivastava1, Swati Goyal, Jayashree Bhat
1Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH), Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
Objective:
Whilst occupational noise is known to affect suprathreshold auditory processing abilities, the concern regarding non-occupational noise exposure, such as recreational or environmental noise, is growing. This study investigates temporal auditory processing and speech perception in noise (SPiN) abilities amongst young adults with normal hearing but varying non-occupational noise exposure.
Methods:
The participants were recruited between September 2024 and December 2024. A total of 64 college-going normal hearing participants were classified into low noise exposure (LNE, n = 32) and high noise exposure (HNE, n = 32) groups on the basis of their annual noise exposure levels. SPiN (signal-to-noise ratio [SNR] 50) was assessed by presenting nonsense consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel words. Gap detection thresholds (GDTs) for 500 ms broadband noise were assessed in quiet and background noise conditions (+10 and +5 dB SNR) by using an adaptive procedure.
Results:
The HNE group demonstrated significantly increased SNR 50 thresholds compared with the LNE group (P < 0.001). GDT showed increased thresholds in the HNE group across all testing conditions (quiet, +10 and +5 dB SNR). However, a prominent increase was observed for the +5 dB SNR condition. Two-way repeated measure analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of stimulus condition (P < 0.001) and noise exposure (P < 0.001). The interaction effects between stimulus conditions and noise exposure were significant (P < 0.001).
Conclusion:
The study shows that frequent exposure to high-intensity non-occupational noise can adversely affect suprathreshold auditory processing. The findings underscore the need for increased awareness and prevention to reduce the long-term impact of noise on hearing.
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