Loudness adaptation in children

Audiology. 1993;32(1):36-48. doi: 10.3109/00206099309072926.

Abstract

Simple loudness adaptation was measured for a steady tone presented alone at 10 dB SL; contralaterally induced adaptation was measured for a steady tone in one ear accompanied by an intermittent tone in the contralateral ear; ipsilaterally induced adaptation was measured for a tone increased intermittently by 15 dB. The method of successive magnitude estimation revealed no differences between 12 adults and 36 children from 9 to 14 years of age in the amounts of adaptation over a 3-min exposure. A second set of experiments with a new group of 20 adults and 20 children used a Békésy tracking procedure to reach similar results. Unlike Kärjä [Acta Oto-Laryngol 1968; (suppl)241:1-56], who found significant adaptation in only 5 of 29 children and much adaptation in most adults, we found considerable adaptation in children as well as in adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Adolescent
  • Audiometry, Pure-Tone
  • Auditory Threshold
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Loudness Perception / physiology*
  • Male