The effect of ambient noise and other variables on pure tone threshold screening in a population of primary school entrants

Abstract

Ambient noise levels were measured in different primary school environments both qualitatively and quantitatively. An otologically normal group of 5-year-old children were identified clinically and tympanometrically. This group contained a surprisingly large number of hearing screen failures but there was in general no significant difference between average ambient noise levels for the children from the group who passed the screen and those who failed it. It is concluded that where the average ambient noise levels are 50 dB(A) in a school testing environment and noise levels do not significantly affect the results the explanation for screen failures must lie elsewhere. It is suggested that investigation and analysis of the effects of variables on hearing screen results may give information relating to professional training or a child's special educational needs.