San Diego County Fair Hearing Survey

Abstract

A phonographically recorded test of the ability to hear pure tones was given to 3666 people. Absolute thresholds were detd. at 5 frequencies and masked thresholds at 2 frequencies. The results were analyzed according to their statements as to whether or not they had difficulty in hearing. Auditory sensitivity was found to decline with age; women were more sensitive than men for the higher frequencies; and men who worked in noise showed greater than normal losses. The data indicated, in addition, that musically trained men and women possess greater hearing sensitivity than do men and women without musical training, and that the 20-29 yr. old males tested in 1948 appeared to have a greater loss at the high frequencies than did most males of the same age group who were tested in surveys before the war.