Does the acceptable noise level (ANL) predict hearing-aid use?
OBJECTIVE
It has been suggested that individuals have an inherent acceptance of noise in the presence of speech, and that different acceptance of noise results in different hearing-aid (HA) use. The acceptable noise level (ANL) has been proposed for measurement of this property. It has been claimed that the ANL magnitude can predict hearing-aid use patterns. Many papers have been published reporting on different aspects of ANL, but none have challenged the predictive power of ANL. The purpose of this study was to discuss whether ANL can predict HA use and how more reliable ANL results can be obtained.


METHODS
Relevant literature regarding the ANL was found on Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar. Additional information was found as references in the included papers and through personal contacts, for instance when attending audiology conferences.


METHODS
Forty-five papers published in peer reviewed journals as well as a number of papers from trade journals, posters and oral presentations from audiology conventions.


CONCLUSIONS
An inherent acceptance of noise in the presence of speech may exist, but no method for precise measurement of ANL is available. The ANL model for prediction of HA use has yet to be proven valid.
* Research Laboratory, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital , Rigshospitalet , Denmark.
Steen Østergaard
SØ
Olsen
K Jonas
KJ
Brännström
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D001288:Attention; D001302:Audiometry, Speech / Q000379:methods*; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010470:Perceptual Masking; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013067:Speech Perception