Stimuli and Normative Data for Detection of Ling-6 Sounds in Hearing Level Purpose The purpose of this work was to develop and evaluate a calibrated version of the Ling-6 sounds for evaluation of aided detection thresholds. Stimuli were recorded, and data from calibration values in dB HL were developed. Aided performance was characterized in adults and children. Method Stimuli were ... Research Article
Research Article  |   December 01, 2012
Stimuli and Normative Data for Detection of Ling-6 Sounds in Hearing Level
Susan Scollie, Danielle Glista, Julianne Tenhaaf, Andrea Dunn, April Malandrino, Kelley Keene, and Paula Folkeard
 
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Susan Scollie
    University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
  • Danielle Glista
    University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
  • Julianne Tenhaaf
    University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
  • Andrea Dunn
    University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
  • April Malandrino
    University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
  • Kelley Keene
    University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
  • Paula Folkeard
    University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
  • Correspondence to Susan Scollie: scollie@nca.uwo.ca
  • Editor and Associate Editor: Larry Humes
    Editor and Associate Editor: Larry Humes×
  • Copyright © 2012 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Article Information
Hearing Disorders / Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants & Assistive Technology / Research Articles
Research Article   |   December 01, 2012
Stimuli and Normative Data for Detection of Ling-6 Sounds in Hearing Level
American Journal of Audiology, December 2012, Vol. 21, 232-241. doi:10.1044/1059-0889(2012/12-0020)
History: Received April 17, 2012 , Revised June 14, 2012 , Accepted June 24, 2012
 
American Journal of Audiology, December 2012, Vol. 21, 232-241. doi:10.1044/1059-0889(2012/12-0020)
History: Received April 17, 2012; Revised June 14, 2012; Accepted June 24, 2012
Web of Science® Times Cited: 9

Purpose The purpose of this work was to develop and evaluate a calibrated version of the Ling-6 sounds for evaluation of aided detection thresholds. Stimuli were recorded, and data from calibration values in dB HL were developed. Aided performance was characterized in adults and children.

Method Stimuli were recorded, prepared, and transferred to a CD for testing. Initial testing was completed on 29 normally hearing young adults to determine typical responses in dB SPL and reliability. Corrections to dB HL were determined for each stimulus. Twenty-seven adults and 5 children with hearing losses were tested.

Results Average normal sound field thresholds were 1 dB HL. Aided thresholds for adults varied with unaided hearing level and were better for low-frequency sounds. Adults and children performed differently, possibly because of greater hearing aid gain for children.

Conclusions Stimulus preparation and shaping resulted in a recorded, calibrated set of Ling-6 stimuli that provide flat normal thresholds in hearing level for normally hearing listeners. Typical performance ranges may vary with hearing level and prescription. More data are required to fully characterize this trend in the pediatric population.

Acknowledgments
The development of this test was financially supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council/Canadian Institutes of Health Research Collaborative Health Research Program, the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network Summer Studentship program, and the Hearing Foundation of Canada. Ongoing support for clinical evaluation of the test in children is provided by the American Academy of Audiology New Investigator Award (2012–2013) and in partnership with the Network of Pediatric Audiologists of Canada and Sheila Moodie. The Ontario Research Foundation’s support of the National Centre for Audiology Translational Research Unit supported this project through access to participants. The authors thank Richard Seewald for comments on an earlier version of this article and Kelly Mattingly for assistance with figure preparation.
An audio CD is available with the stimuli used in this study, along with support documents that provide instructions and scoring sheets. Contact Phonak (www.phonak.com) for more information.
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