Estimates of Loudness, Loudness Discomfort, and the Auditory Dynamic Range: Normative Estimates, Comparison of Procedures, and Test-Retest Reliability

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (02) ◽  
pp. 085-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
LaGuinn P. Sherlock ◽  
Craig Formby
Keyword(s):  
Reference Values ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Intersubject Variability ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Growth Functions ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Loudness Growth

The purpose of this series of experiments was to establish normative reference values for absolute and relative judgements of loudness discomfort and for the auditory dynamic range (DR), and to evaluate intersubject variability and intrasubject test-retest reliability for the respective measures of loudness discomfort. To establish the normal auditory DR, audiometric thresholds and loudness discomfort levels (LDLs) were measured from a group of 59 normal-hearing adults without sound tolerance problems. The resulting estimates of the LDL and DR were on the order of 100 dB HL and 95 dB, respectively. A subset (n = 18) of this larger group participated in further studies in which loudness growth functions and the upper limit of the auditory DR were measured by categorical scaling judgments. The findings revealed no significant differences between the test methods for absolute (LDL) and relative (categorical scaling) judgements of loudness discomfort, intersubject variability, or intrasubject test-retest reliability, and suggest that the simple LDL estimate of loudness discomfort is an efficient and valid clinical measure for characterizing the "threshold of discomfort."

The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test: Reliability, Validity and Reference Values Studies with Healthy Elderly People

1997 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 270-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanne Desrosiers ◽  
Annie Rochette ◽  
Réjean Hébert ◽  
Gina Bravo
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Reference Values ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Manual Dexterity ◽  
Test Reliability ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Block Test ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Several dexterity tests have been developed, including the Minnesota Rate of Manipulation Test (MRMT) and a new version, the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test (MMDT). The objectives of the study were: a) to verify the test-retest reliability of the MMDT; b) to compare the MRMT and the MMDT; c) to study the concurrent validity of the MMDT; and d) to establish reference values for elderly people with the MMDT. Two hundred and forty-seven community-living healthy elderly were evaluated with the MMDT, and two other dexterity tests, the Box and Block Test (BBT) and the Purdue Pegboard (PP). Thirty-five of them were evaluated twice with the MMDT and 44 were evaluated with both the MMDT and MRMT. The results show that the test-retest reliability of the MMDT is acceptable to high (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.79 to 0.87, depending on the subtest) and the validity of the test is demonstrated by significant correlations between the MMDT, the BBT and the PP (0.63 to 0.67). There is a high correlation (0.85 to 0.95) between the MMDT and the MMRT in spite of different results. The reference values will help occupational therapists to differentiate better between real dexterity difficulties and those that may be attributed to normal aging.

scholarly journals Effect of chronic stimulation and stimulus level on temporal processing by cochlear implant listeners

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P. Carlyon ◽  
François Guérit ◽  
Alexander J. Billig ◽  
Yu Chuen Tam ◽  
Frances Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Temporal Processing ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Stimulus Level ◽  
Adaptive Procedure ◽  
Direct Stimulation ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Upper Limits ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Rate Discrimination

AbstractA series of experiments investigated potential changes in temporal processing during the months following activation of a cochlear implant (CI) and as a function of stimulus level. Experiment 1 tested patients on the day of implant activation and two and six months later. All stimuli were presented using direct stimulation of a single apical electrode. The dependent variables were rate discrimination ratios (RDRs) for pulse trains with rates centred on 120 pulses per second (pps), obtained using an adaptive procedure, and a measure of the upper limit of temporal pitch, obtained using a pitch-ranking procedure.All stimuli were presented at their most comfortable level (MCL). RDRs decreased from 1.23 to 1.16 and the upper limit increased from 357 to 485 pps from 0 to 2 months post-activation, with no overall change from 2 to 6 months. Because MCLs and hence the testing level increased across sessions, two further experiments investigated whether the performance changes observed across sessions could be due to level differences. Experiment 2 re-tested a subset of subjects at 9 months post-activation, using current levels similar to those used at 0 months. Although the stimuli sounded softer, some subjects showed lower RDRs and/or higher upper limits at this re-test. Experiment 3 measured RDRs and the upper limit for a separate group of subjects at levels equal to 60%, 80%, and 100% of the dynamic range. RDRs decreased with increasing level. The upper limit increased with increasing level for most subjects, with two notable exceptions. Implications of the results for temporal plasticity are discussed, along with possible influences of the effects of level and of across-session learning.

scholarly journals Multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography-based tomoelastography of the parotid glands–feasibility and reference values

2021 ◽  
pp. 20210337
Author(s):  
Fabian Henry Jürgen Elsholtz ◽  
Rolf Reiter ◽  
Stephan Rodrigo Marticorena Garcia ◽  
Jürgen Braun ◽  
Ingolf Sack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Reference Values ◽  
Viscoelastic Properties ◽  
Biological Tissues ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Elastography ◽  
Parotid Glands ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Shear Wave Speed ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Healthy Participants

Objectives: Accurate radiological differentiation of parotid tumors remains challenging despite recent technical advances in quantitative medical imaging. Multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) could provide additional information on viscoelastic properties of normal and abnormal biological tissues. This study investigates the feasibility of MRE of the parotid glands in healthy participants and provides first reference values. Methods: 20 healthy participants underwent multifrequency MRE of both parotid glands at 3 Tesla. Shear waves at frequencies of 25, 30, 40, and 50 Hz were introduced into the participants' heads through the occiput using pressurized-air actuators. Shear wave speed (SWS) and loss angle of the shear modulus (φ) were reconstructed by tomoelastography post-processing as surrogate parameters for tissue stiffness and viscosity or fluidity. 10 participants underwent repeated MRE to determine test–retest reliability based on intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: All MRE datasets acquired could be included in the analysis. Mean SWS was 0.97 ± 0.13 m/s, and mean φ was 0.59 ± 0.05 rad, each for both sides combined and without notable lateral difference (p = 0.88/0.87). Test–retest reliability was good for SWS (ICC = 0.84 for both sides/ICC = 0.77 for the right side/ICC = 0.79 for the left side) and good to excellent for φ(ICC = 0.94/0.86/0.90). Conclusions: Multifrequency MRE of the parotid glands is feasible and reliable. This technique, therefore, is a promising method for investigating the viscoelastic properties of salivary gland tumors in future studies.

Static and dynamic standing balance: test-retest reliability and reference values in 9 to 10 year old children

2006 ◽  
Vol 165 (11) ◽  
pp. 779-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Geldhof ◽  
Greet Cardon ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽  
Lieven Danneels ◽  
Pascal Coorevits ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reference Values ◽  
Standing Balance ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

scholarly journals Characterizing Individual Differences in Sweet Taste Hedonics: Test Methods, Locations, and Stimuli

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
May Cheung ◽  
Matthew Kramer ◽  
Gary Beauchamp ◽  
Paul Wise
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Aqueous Solutions ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Sucrose Concentration ◽  
Sweet Taste ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
At Home

Sweetness drives consumption of added sugars, so understanding how individuals differ is important for developing strategies to lower sugar intake. However, methods to assess hedonic response to sweetness vary, making results across studies difficult to integrate. We compared methods to measure optimal sucrose concentration in 21 healthy adults (1) using paired-comparison preference tracking vs. ratings of liking, (2) with participants in the laboratory vs. at home, and (3) using aqueous solutions vs. vanilla milk. Tests were replicated on separate days to assess test-retest reliability. Test-retest reliability was similar between laboratory and home testing, but tended to be better for vanilla milk and preference tracking. Optimal sucrose concentration was virtually identical between laboratory and home, slightly lower when estimated via preference tracking, and about 50% lower in vanilla milk. However, individual optimal sucrose concentration correlated strongly between Methods, test Locations, and Stimuli. More than 50% of the variability in optimal sucrose concentration could be attributed to consistent differences among individuals while much less variability was attributable to differences in Methods, test Locations or Stimuli. These results demonstrate convergent validity between measures of preference and liking, support testing at home to lower participant burden, and suggest that aqueous solutions can be useful proxies for some commonly consumed beverages for measuring individual differences.

scholarly journals Reference values and validation of the 1-min sit-to-stand test in healthy 5- to 16-year-old youth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah R Haile ◽  
Thea Fühner ◽  
Urs Granacher ◽  
Julien Stocker ◽  
Thomas Radtke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Reference Values ◽  
Exercise Test ◽  
Learning Effect ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Stand Test ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

AbstractObjectivesIt is essential to have simple, reliable and valid tests to measure children’s functional capacity in schools or medical practice. The 1-min sit-to-stand test (STS) is a quick fitness test requiring little equipment or space that is increasingly used in both healthy populations and those with chronic disease. We aimed to provide age and sex-specific reference values of STS in healthy children and adolescents and to evaluate its short-term reliability and construct validity.Design, setting and participantsCross-sectional random sample from 6 public schools and 1 science fair in central Europe. Overall, 587 healthy participants aged 5-16 years were recruited and divided into age groups of 3 years each.Outcomes1-minute STS. To evaluate short-term reliability, some children performed the STS twice. To evaluate construct validity, some children also performed a standing long jump (SLJ) and a maximal incremental exercise test.ResultsData from 547 5-16 year old youth were finally included in the analyses. The median number of repetitions in 1 minute in males (females) ranged from 55 [95% CI 38 to 72] (53 [35 to 76]) in 14-16 year-olds to 59 [41 to 77] (60 [38 to 77]) in 8-10 year-olds. Children who repeated STS showed a learning effect of on average 4.8 repetitions more than the first test (95% limits of agreement −6.7 to 16.4). Moderate correlations were observed between the STS and the SLJ (r = 0.48) and the maximal exercise test (r = 0.43).ConclusionsThe reported STS reference values can be used to interpret STS test performance in children and adolescents. The STS appears to have good test-retest reliability, but a learning effect of about 10%. The association of STS with other measures of physical fitness should be further explored in a larger study and technical standards for its conduct are needed.Strengths and Limitations of this StudyLarge sample size (N = 547)Reference values according to sex and age group (5-7, 8-10, 11-13 and 14-16)Evaluation of test-retest reliability and construct validityConvenience not population-based sampleNot all outcomes have been measured on each participant

scholarly journals Characterizing Individual Differences in Sweet Taste Hedonics: Test Methods, Locations, and Stimuli

Nutrients ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 370
Author(s):  
May M. Cheung ◽  
Matthew Kramer ◽  
Gary K. Beauchamp ◽  
Sari Puputti ◽  
Paul M. Wise
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Aqueous Solutions ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Sucrose Concentration ◽  
Sweet Taste ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
At Home

Sweetness drives the consumption of added sugars, so understanding how to best measure sweet hedonics is important for developing strategies to lower sugar intake. However, methods to assess hedonic response to sweetness vary, making results across studies difficult to integrate. We compared methods to measure optimal sucrose concentration in 21 healthy adults (1) using paired-comparison preference tracking vs. ratings of liking, (2) with participants in the laboratory vs. at home, and (3) using aqueous solutions vs. vanilla milk. Tests were replicated on separate days to assess test-retest reliability. Test-retest reliability was similar between laboratory and home testing, but tended to be better for vanilla milk and preference tracking. Optimal sucrose concentration was virtually identical between laboratory and home, slightly lower when estimated via preference tracking, and about 50% lower in vanilla milk. However, optimal sucrose concentration correlated strongly between methods, locations, and stimuli. More than 50% of the variability in optimal sucrose concentration could be attributed to consistent differences among individuals, while much less variability was attributable to differences between methods. These results demonstrate convergent validity between methods, support testing at home, and suggest that aqueous solutions can be useful proxies for some commonly consumed beverages for measuring individual differences.

The Reliability and Validity of the Comfort Level Method of Setting Hearing Aid Gain

1977 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian E. Walden ◽  
Gerald I. Schuchman ◽  
Roy K. Sedge
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Clinical Test ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Good Test ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Level Method ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

The comfort level method (Carhart, 1946) probably is the most widely used procedure for setting the acoustic gain of hearing aids. A series of experiments were conducted to determine the test-retest reliability of the comfort level method and the relationship between the comfort settings established in a clinical test suite and the comfort settings utilized in more realistic daily listening situations. Adults with bilateral sensorineural hearing impairments were subjects. The results suggest that the comfort level method has good test-retest reliability for most clinical purposes. Further, clinically established comfort settings may accurately represent typical daily-use settings if the input level used to establish the comfort settings in the clinical environment is 70 dB SPL.

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