Abstract
The loudness discomfort level (LDI.) is of importance in the fitting of hearing aids, but very young children are unable to provide a subjective judgement of LDL. Therefore the relationship between Jewell wave V latency and subjective loudness was investigated to ascertain if objective estimation of LDL is possible. ABR recordings were taken from 8 normally hearing subjects at the stimulus intensity corresponding to their LDL and at stimulus levels from 10 to 30 dB below this. The wave V latency/intensity function did not correlate well with the LDL. However, the slope of this function did correlate to a high degree and a predictive model of LDL was derived. Identical measurements were then taken from a sample of 12 cochlear-impaired subjects with a range of audiometric profiles. Their subjective LDLs could be predicted from the wave V latency function to an accuracy of ±5 dB, using the model derived from the nor mally-hearing subjects. This model appeared to be equally valid for all the degrees and profiles of hearing loss included in the sample and showed a closer relationship to LDL than did absolute wave V latency or estimates derived from the acoustic reflex.