Normal reference values for the discomfort level test for the sensation of intensity: preliminary results

Authors

  • Keila Alessandra Baraldi Knobel Facultad de Medicina de la Universidade de São Paulo, Saõ Paulo, Brasil
  • Tanit Ganz Sanchez Facultad de Medicina de la Universidade de São Paulo, Saõ Paulo, Brasil
  • Leopoldo Nizan Pfeilsticker Universidade Estadual de Campinao, Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil
  • Guita Stoller Universidade Estadual de Campinao, Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51445/sja.auditio.vol1.2002.0016

Keywords:

discomfort level, normal hearing, auditory hypersensitivity, tinnitus

Abstract

The Level of Discomfort for the Sensation of Intensity (LDL - Loudness Disconfort Level) is an audiological test used for the selection of the saturation level of hearing aids, and more recently also indicated for the auditory evaluation of people with tinnitus and hearing hypersensitivity. We believe that it is necessary to investigate and determine normal reference values ​​for LDL in individuals without hearing loss, since auditory hypersensitivity can occur in individuals with normal hearing thresholds. The levels of discomfort for the frequencies 0.5 to 8 KHz in the two ears were investigated in a test and retest situation in 51 individuals between 18 and 25 years of age and with normal hearing. The median for all frequencies ranged between 92.5 and 100 dBNA, with no differences between the ears. This test showed high inter-subject variability and high consistency between test and retest. We conclude that LDL can be a good instrument to evaluate the evolution of patients with auditory hypersensitivity.

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Published

2002-10-01 — Updated on 2021-09-15

Versions

How to Cite

Baraldi Knobel, K. A., Ganz Sanchez, T., Nizan Pfeilsticker, L., & Stoller, G. (2021). Normal reference values for the discomfort level test for the sensation of intensity: preliminary results. Auditio , 1(3), 37–40. https://doi.org/10.51445/sja.auditio.vol1.2002.0016 (Original work published October 1, 2002)

Issue

Section

e-journal of audiology (archive before 2021 only in Spanish)

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