An Australian version of the acceptable noise level test and its predictive value for successful hearing aid use in an older population.
OBJECTIVE
The acceptable noise level (ANL), a measure of noise tolerance, has been proposed as a predictor for successful hearing aid use. The aims of this study were to obtain normative data, and to evaluate the clinical feasibility and predictive value of an Australian version of the ANL test in an older population.


METHODS
Repeated ANL measurements were presented diotically using earphones. All participants provided demographic information and hearing aid owners were asked about their aid use.


METHODS
A total of 290 older adults were assessed; 166 participants had a hearing impairment and 96 owned a hearing aid.


RESULTS
The mean ANL was lower than previously reported. While age and gender had no effect on ANL, a significant, but weak, correlation was found between ANL and hearing loss. The test-retest reliability showed the results were clinically unreliable. In addition, the ANL did not predict hours or pattern of hearing aid use.


CONCLUSIONS
While the Australian ANL test showed several similar characteristics to previous versions of the test, low test-retest reliability raised questions about its clinical value as a predictor for long-term hearing aid use.
* The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre , Carlton, Victoria , Australia.
Els
E
Walravens
Gitte
G
Keidser
David
D
Hartley
Louise
L
Hickson
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001302:Audiometry, Speech / Q000379:methods*; D001315:Australia; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006309:Hearing; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; 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; D013067:Speech Perception