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Loudness and the acoustic reflex: normal-hearing listeners.
Journal of the American Audiology Society
|January 1, 1979
Summary
This study explored loudness perception in normal-hearing individuals. Results show the most comfortable listening level (MCL) is affected by noise, unlike the acoustic reflex (AR).
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Psychoacoustics
- Hearing Science
Background:
- Understanding loudness perception is crucial for audiological rehabilitation.
- The acoustic reflex (AR) serves as a protective mechanism against loud sounds.
- Relationships between auditory thresholds and loudness perception require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interplay between most comfortable listening level (MCL), loudness discomfort level (LDL), and the acoustic reflex (AR) to speech.
- To examine these relationships under both earphone and sound field conditions.
- To assess the impact of background noise on these auditory parameters.
Main Methods:
- Normal-hearing listeners participated in the study.
- Stimuli included recorded sentences presented monaurally.
- Testing was conducted in quiet and with cafeteria noise (55 dB SPL) using earphones and a sound field setup.
Main Results:
- The MCL in a quiet sound field was approximately 70 dB SPL, with the AR occurring 16 dB higher.
- Earphone MCL was 7 dB lower than sound field MCL, possibly due to calibration.
- The AR to speech occurred at intensities between MCL and LDL in quiet.
- Noise elevated MCL, but AR remained constant, indicating no absolute loudness-AR relationship.
Conclusions:
- The most comfortable listening level (MCL) is influenced by background noise.
- The acoustic reflex (AR) demonstrates independence from loudness perception changes.
- No fixed relationship exists between perceived loudness and the acoustic reflex intensity.