[Method of measuring sound localization for 4-year-old children on the horizontal plane.].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effective way to test 4-year-old children's ability of sound localization in the horizontal plane.


METHODS
Using minimum audible angle (MAA) measure procedure on the basis of conditioned play audiometry, sound localization test was conducted for 4-year-old children at 0 degrees , +/- 45 degrees , +/- 90 degrees , +/- 135 degrees and 180 degrees standard positions in the horizontal plane.


RESULTS
The outcome of sound localization test for 4-year-old children separately were: MAA (0 degrees ) = (3.80 +/- 0.71) degrees , MAA (-45 degrees ) = (7.70 +/- 1.27) degrees , MAA (45 degrees ) = (7.10 +/- 1.39) degrees , MAA (-90 degrees ) = (8.15 +/- 2.38) degrees , MAA (90 degrees ) = (7.61 +/- 2.47) degrees , MAA (-135 degrees ) = (8.85 +/- 2.70) degrees , MAA (135 degrees ) = (8.30 +/- 1.42) degrees , MAA (180 degrees ) = (5.20 +/- 1.27) degrees . The MAA of eight standard positions were less than 10 degrees , and the MAA (0 degrees ) was the smallest one.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that MAA test procedure on the basis of conditioned play audiometry could be used to evaluate the ability of sound localization in 4-year-old children.
Zhang
Juan
J
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital University of medical sciences school of Otolaryngology, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (Capital Medical University), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100020, China.
Wang
Xun
X
Wang
Hui
H
Liu
Jin-Feng
JF
Song
Peng-Long
PL
Wen
Xiao-Hui
XH
Li
Jin-Lan
JL
Wang
Ning-Yu
NY
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D013017:Sound Localization