Factors Influencing the Loudness Discomfort Level

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Abstract
The LDL test is useful clinically. It is simple in technique and requires no special equipment: however, it is inherently more variable than other loudness tests and tends to be of little value in patients who are habitually exposed to intense noise. A laboratory study has shown the rise time of the audiometric pulses to be a critical factor in the LDL. A shorter time, namely of 15-25 msec, than at present standardised, would be beneficial not only for LDL measurements but also for Békésy audiometry and cortical evoked response audiometry, without affecting tonal threshold measurements. Likewise an upper hearing level of 120dB instead of the more usual 110dB would be a useful feature in audiometers. Use of insert receivers to provide this extra 10dB is not recommended. The best technique for LDL testing is to present pulses of 0-5-1 sec duration and 2-3 sec interval in an ascending 5dB steps series until the loudness discomfort level is indicated.

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