David S. Smith, Ph.D.

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Author, etc.: SMITH, DAVID SCOTT
Title: PREFERENCES FOR DIFFERENTIATED FREQUENCY LOUDNESS LEVELS IN OLDER ADULT MUSIC LISTENING.
Description: 295 p.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-07, Section: A, page: 1693.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1987.
Summary: This study was designed to explore intensity preferences in music listening through an operant task which allowed subjects to alter loudness (intensity) levels for four selected frequency bands. Comparisons were made relating the effects of age, sex, frequency band, song, and presentation condition to intensity preferences and to the initial presentation volume. Six age groups comprising 18 through 90 year old subjects (N = 180) participated in the study. Subjects represented active and passive community music participants and were individually tested using six songs specifically chosen for their popular appeal. Initial audiometric evaluations indicated typical presbycusic changes as age increased. Subsequent loudness preferences were assessed for four frequency bands (110, 330, 1000, 3000 Hz) using a graphic frequency equalizer. Results obtained from equalizer settings indicated a significant difference between age groups. Subjects in the three younger age groups (18-53) preferred louder volume levels than did subjects in the oldest age group. Older subjects, with deteriorating hearing abilities, did not compensate by increasing the listening volume, while younger subjects with much better hearing did increase loudness levels. On the basis of this study it may be concluded that: (1) Older adults will generally prefer lower loudness levels than younger adults in music listening contexts. (2) An inverse relationship appears to exist between preferred loudness levels and auditory capabilities, with increased volume being paired with lower auditory threshold levels. (3) Older adults can be easily taught to use a graphic frequency equalizer and thereby create the possibility of increased enjoyment of music listening activities.
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