Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Date Created

2-13-2023

Abstract

Pediatric audiological testing typically consists of using sound field testing for children six months to two years of age. It is conducted with a child seated in the center of a sound booth with speakers located on the right and left sides of the patient at varying degrees each with an object to reinforce their response. This sound field testing is completed using one of two stimuli: narrowband noise or warbled tones. A newer noise, referred to as frequency specific hearing assessment (FRESH) noise. was created to be used specifically for pediatric patients to grab their attention and respond faster to the stimulus. Previous studies have been completed and researchers found that FRESH noise and other stimuli obtained consistent thresholds but narrowband noise highly underestimated a hearing loss (Moore & Violetto, 2016). The purpose of this study was to compare the minimum response levels (MRLs) for two different stimuli, narrowband noise and FREquency Specific Hearing Assessment (FRESH) noise, as well as the timing of each participant’s head turn toward the sound source. The other purpose was to determine if FRESH noise obtained a faster head turn response as compared to narrowband noise. Data were collected from 10 children between 12 and 27 months of age within the northern Colorado area. Both the minimum response level and timing of head turn response were obtained. It was hypothesized that FRESH noise would obtain a better minimum response level and faster head turn response than narrowband noise. It was concluded that there was no significant difference in minimum response level or timing. Further studies need to be completed with a larger sample size and various hearing losses to confirm these findings.

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