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Intensity discrimination in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners
A C Schroder1, N F Viemeister, D A Nelson
1Clinical Psychoacoustics Laboratory, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|November 1, 1994
Summary
This study investigated loudness perception in hearing loss. Findings suggest that while some individuals with hearing loss perceive loudness normally, others struggle, potentially due to an inability to utilize auditory system mechanisms like spread of excitation.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Psychoacoustics
- Audiology
Background:
- Loudness perception, quantified by Weber fractions (delta I/I), is crucial for understanding auditory function.
- Cochlear hearing loss can impact various aspects of auditory processing, including intensity discrimination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure Weber fractions in quiet and noise for individuals with and without cochlear hearing loss.
- To investigate the role of spread of excitation in loudness perception for hearing-impaired listeners.
Main Methods:
- Measured Weber fractions for 500-ms tones across frequencies (0.3-3 kHz) and sound pressure levels (SPL) in quiet and high-pass noise.
- Included five listeners with cochlear hearing loss and three normal-hearing listeners.
- Analyzed the effects of high-pass noise on Weber fractions to infer the use of spread of excitation.
Main Results:
- Weber fractions were sometimes normal in hearing-impaired listeners, even at a given SPL.
- High-pass noise elevated Weber fractions when they were normal, suggesting spread of excitation.
- Elevated Weber fractions were not further elevated by noise, indicating an inability to use spread of excitation.
- Results generally aligned with audiometric configurations, but some inconsistencies were noted.
Conclusions:
- The ability to use spread of excitation varies in cochlear hearing loss.
- Some hearing-impaired listeners may exhibit enhanced intensity discrimination at equivalent sensation levels.
- These findings highlight the complex nature of loudness perception in hearing loss.