Question
The measurement of Acceptable Noise Levels looks interesting to me and I would like to start using it clinically. I noticed on the instructions for the test that there seems to be a special adjustment box that is used by the patient. Is that really needed? How did the subjects adjust the loudness level of the stimulus.
Answer
We use a stimulus button, a mouse, which signals the examiner to move the stimulus up or down. For example, the person in the booth is holding the mouse. One button on the mouse says up and one says down. We have the mouse connected to an indicator box. So when the listener pushes up, a green button on the indicator box flashes, and when the listener pushes down a red light flashes. The person giving the test can then turn the stimulus up and down as needed. All of that said, you do not need to use any sort of special equipment. We have had people give thumbs- up and thumbs-down when we measure ANL clinically. If you would like additional information on the ANL measurement, please visit our lab's website at web.utk.edu/~aspweb/faculty/nabelek/anl.shtml.
Melinda C. Freyaldenhoven, Ph.D., CCC-A (Assistant Professor): Mindy earned the Ph.D. degree in Speech and Hearing Science from The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) in 2006. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Louisiana Tech University (Ruston).
Patrick N. Plyler, Ph.D., CCC-A (Assistant Professor): Patrick earned the Ph.D. degree in Speech and Hearing Science from The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) in 1998. He then moved to Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge), where he was an Assistant Professor for 5 years. In 2004, Patrick returned to The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) as an Assistant Professor.
Melinda C. Freyaldenhoven, MA, CCC-A
Melinda Freyaldenhoven received the Master of Arts degree in Audiology in May 2003 and will receive the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Speech and Hearing Science in August 2006. Ms. Freyaldenhoven’s research has concentrated on the Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) procedure. She has 6 research manuscripts “in print” or “in press,” presented research at 12 national or international conferences, and received 5 grants/scholarships. Ms. Freyaldenhoven also served as an instructor for an Amplification Technology at The University of Tennessee.
Patrick N. Plyler, PhD, CCC-A
Assistant Professor.
Patrick Plyler graduated from The University of Tennessee with his Doctor of Philosophy in 1998. He then moved to Louisiana State University, where he was an Assistant Professor for 5 years. In 2004, Dr. Plyler returned to The University of Tennessee as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Plyler’s research interests are in the areas of diagnostic audiology, efficacy of advanced features in modern hearing instruments, and speech perception in quiet and in noise. Dr. Plyler has received external support for several research projects, most of which have investigated various features in digital hearing instruments. Dr. Plyler has published articles in the following journals: Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, Journal of Educational Audiology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, and Journal of Speech-Language Hearing Research. In addition, Dr. Plyler serves as an editorial consultant for the American Journal of Audiology, the Journal of Educational Audiology, Trends in Amplification, and the Journal of Speech-Language Hearing Research. Melinda Freyaldenhoven and Patrick Plyler have nothing to disclose.
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