| Description |
The goal of hearing aid fitting is to ensure that low-level sounds are audible, average-level sounds are comfortable, and more intense sounds are loud but not too loud. The uncomfortable loudness level (UCL) threshold helps define the patient's dynamic range, which is used during device fitting. A 2016 survey showed that 67.5% of 350 pediatric audiologist reported to never or rarely measure UCLs with pediatric patients (Moodie et al., 2016). To identify factors influencing this previously-reported limited use of UCL measures, this study surveyed 62 pediatric audiologists in the United States. The questionnaire aimed to improve our understanding of the (non)use of loudness perception measures with pediatric patients and assess familiarity with various loudness perception measurements. In addition, the questionnaire gathered information about the needs of pediatric audiologists in relation to UCL measures. Results show that audiologist report being largely unfamiliar with methods of assessing loudness perception in children, with categorical loudness scaling being the method with which they are most familiar. In addition, audiologist reported being more willing and able to measure uncomfortable loudness levels in older compared to younger pediatric patients. Findings highlight audiologists' need for further information regarding the relevance of loudness perception measurements with pediatric patients. |
