Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) Laboratory

* updated January 20, 2006

Drs. Anna Nabelek and Sam Burchfield are engaged in a number of studies exploring listeners’ acceptance of background noise, which is measured using a procedure termed acceptable noise level (ANL). Research has demonstrated that acceptance of background noise (i.e., ANL) is not related to age, gender, hearing sensitivity, amplification with hearing aids, type of background noise distraction, preference for background noise, cochlear responses, lower brainstem activity, middle ear characteristics, or speech perception in noise performance.

The effects of acceptance of background noise in directional hearing instruments have also been evaluated. Results of these investigations have revealed that acceptance of noise, speech reception thresholds in noise, and ear canal signal-to-noise ratios yield essentially the same information about directivity (Work supported by The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH) Supplement 3 RO1 DC05018-01S1). These investigations have also shown that acceptance of noise is unaffected by gain compensation or venting when using directional hearing instruments for most listeners (Work supported by The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH) Pre-doctoral Fellowship).

Current research in this area has shown that acceptance of background noise is related to hearing aid usage. Specifically, full-time hearing aid users accept higher levels of background noise than part-time or non-users of hearing aids. Furthermore, acceptance of noise can predict hearing aid use with 85% accuracy (Work supported by The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH) Grant RO1 DC 05018). Current ANL investigations have also included the collection of normative data in the pediatric population and the influence of medication on acceptance of noise in individuals with ADHD/ADD

The ANL laboratory is housed in 443 South Stadium Hall on the main campus at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In approximately 1200 square feet, we have an IAC-400 test booth equipped with a GSI-16 Diagnostic Audiometer, Audioscan 500 Probe Microphone System, and dedicated workstation for data management. We also have a laptop PC which is used for off-site data analysis and writing. Within the lab we have 4 other workstations, each with a dedicated printer and one HP d135 All-In-One Officejet (fax, print, and scan). Each of our workstations contains Office 2000, Excel, Sigma Plot, and SPSS software.

Photos from the IAC-400 Test Booth at the ANL Lab
Mindy Freyaldenhoven pictured

Our research team includes the following individuals:

Anna K. Nabelek, Ph.D. (Director): Dr. Nabelek has a long and recognized career as a Research Professor at The University of Tennessee. Most of her work has been externally funded and has involved speech perception, speech perception in noise and reverberation and room acoustics.

Samuel B. Burchfield, Ph.D. (Co-Director): Dr. Burchfield brings a thirty-year record of teaching and clinical audiology work to the laboratory. Much of his time involved teaching and managing amplification for individuals with hearing impairment.

Joanna W. Tampas, M.A., CCC-A (Research Associate): Joanna earned the M.A. degree, in Audiology, from The University of Tennessee in 2001 and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Speech and Hearing Science.

Melinda C. Freyaldenhoven, M.A., CCC-A (Research Associate): Mindy earned the M.A. degree in Audiology from The University of Tennessee ( Knoxville) and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Speech and Hearing Science.

We invite inquiries about our work with acceptance of background noise and visits to our laboratory.