Longitudinal Study of Human Hearings: Its Relationship to Noise and Other Factors. 3. Results from the First Five Years

Abstract : This report describes a serial study of auditory thresholds in children 6 to 18 years of age. In addition, data have been obtained from 29 participants examined as youths and examined again after the age of 18 years; the analysis of these data is not included in the present report. Hearing level thresholds, together with detailed information from noise exposure, otological, recreational, and medical histories, and 24-hour dosimetry records of noise for some individuals and data relating to physical size and maturity, and findings from otological inspections are obtained serially from a group of Southwestern Ohio children and youth. The major aims of the study are to determine the variation among children in patterns of change in thresholds with age and to analyze the relationships between these changes in thresholds and environmental and biological factors.