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Audiology Research
Volume 15
Issue 4
10.3390/audiolres15040095
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Article

Optimal Sound Presentation Level for Sound Localization Testing in Unilateral Conductive Hearing Loss

by
Miki Takahara
1,
Takanori Nishiyama
1,2,*,
Yu Fumiiri
1,
Tsubasa Kitama
1,
Makoto Hosoya
1,2,
Marie N. Shimanuki
1,2,
Masafumi Ueno
1,2,
Takeshi Wakabayashi
1,
Hiroyuki Ozawa
1 and
Naoki Oishi
1,2
1
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, 160-8582 Tokyo, Japan
2
Otology and Audiology Center, Keio University Hospital, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, 160-8582 Tokyo, Japan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Audiol. Res. 2025, 15(4), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15040095 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 13 May 2025 / Revised: 12 July 2025 / Accepted: 31 July 2025 / Published: 2 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Hearing)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the optimal sound presentation level for sound localization testing to assess the effect of hearing interventions in individuals with unilateral conductive hearing loss (UCHL). Methods: Nine participants with normal hearing were tested, and simulated two-stage UCHL was created using earmuffs and earplugs. We created two types of masking conditions: (1) only an earplug inserted, and (2) an earplug inserted with an earmuff worn. A sound localization test was performed for each condition. The sound presentation levels were 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70 dB SPL, and the results were evaluated using root mean square and d-values. Results: Both values showed little difference in masking Condition 2, regardless of the sound presentation level, whereas in masking Condition 1, the values were at their minimum at 55 dB SPL. In addition, comparing the differences between masking Conditions 1 and 2 for each sound presentation level, the greatest difference was observed at 55 dB SPL for both values. Conclusions: The optimal sound presentation level for sound localization testing to assess hearing intervention effects in UCHL was 55 dB. This result may be attributed to the effect of input from the non-masked ear, accounting for interaural attenuation; the effect was considered minimal at 55 dB SPL.
Keywords: sound localization test; unilateral conductive hearing loss; interaural attenuation sound localization test; unilateral conductive hearing loss; interaural attenuation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Takahara, M.; Nishiyama, T.; Fumiiri, Y.; Kitama, T.; Hosoya, M.; Shimanuki, M.N.; Ueno, M.; Wakabayashi, T.; Ozawa, H.; Oishi, N. Optimal Sound Presentation Level for Sound Localization Testing in Unilateral Conductive Hearing Loss. Audiol. Res. 2025, 15, 95. https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15040095

AMA Style

Takahara M, Nishiyama T, Fumiiri Y, Kitama T, Hosoya M, Shimanuki MN, Ueno M, Wakabayashi T, Ozawa H, Oishi N. Optimal Sound Presentation Level for Sound Localization Testing in Unilateral Conductive Hearing Loss. Audiology Research. 2025; 15(4):95. https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15040095

Chicago/Turabian Style

Takahara, Miki, Takanori Nishiyama, Yu Fumiiri, Tsubasa Kitama, Makoto Hosoya, Marie N. Shimanuki, Masafumi Ueno, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Hiroyuki Ozawa, and Naoki Oishi. 2025. "Optimal Sound Presentation Level for Sound Localization Testing in Unilateral Conductive Hearing Loss" Audiology Research 15, no. 4: 95. https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15040095

APA Style

Takahara, M., Nishiyama, T., Fumiiri, Y., Kitama, T., Hosoya, M., Shimanuki, M. N., Ueno, M., Wakabayashi, T., Ozawa, H., & Oishi, N. (2025). Optimal Sound Presentation Level for Sound Localization Testing in Unilateral Conductive Hearing Loss. Audiology Research, 15(4), 95. https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15040095

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