Comparison of Acceptable Noise Level Generated Using Different Transducers and Response Modes

Table 1

The mean and standard error (SE) of MCL, BNL, and ANL obtained from the three repeated measurements in different methods. MCL: most comfortable listening level; BNL: background noise level; ANL: acceptable noise level; LS: measured through loudspeaker with self-adjusted levels using audiometer controls; LA: measured through loudspeaker with the subject signaling the audiologist to adjust the levels of speech and noise; ES: measured through earphones with self-adjusted levels using audiometer controls; EA: measured through earphones with the subject signaling the audiologist to adjust the levels of speech and noise.

Values	Method	1st measurement		2nd measurement		3rd measurement
		Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE
MCL (dB HL)	LS	35.9	1.54	37.2	1.36	37.4	1.37
	LA	38.1	1.61	38.1	1.32	38.6	1.16
	ES	43.3	1.85	43.8	1.83	45.2	2.01
	EA	44.8	1.45	45.2	1.49	43.8	1.65
BNL (dB HL)	LS	35.8	1.73	37.6	1.46	38.5	1.51
	LA	38.2	1.50	38.7	1.42	39.3	1.23
	ES	43.0	2.02	43.9	1.83	45.5	2.21
	EA	44.2	1.39	45.6	1.72	44.2	1.73
ANL (dB)	LS	0.1	0.76	−0.4	0.54	−1.1	0.62
	LA	−0.1	0.72	−0.6	0.56	−0.9	0.62
	ES	0.4	0.83	−0.1	0.49	−0.3	0.84
	EA	0.6	0.56	−0.5	0.78	−0.4	0.55