The effect of enhanced higher frequencies on the musical preference of older adults

Journal/Book: Journal of Music Therapy. 1988; Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. National Association for Music Therapy 8455 Colesville Rd., Suite 930 20910 Silver Spring, Maryland USA. journal article.

Abstract: This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of presbycusis (loss of hearing for higher frequencies) on music preference. Older adult subjects were exposed to music that had been recorded with frequencies around the 3 kHz level; recordings were enhanced 15 dB to ascertain preferences for enhanced music over the normally recorded music. A Music Listening Recorder was used to assess musical preference, with music recorded under normal and enhanced conditions presented on opposite channels of a two-channel tape. Subjects were assigned to one of two listening tapes, with the order of musical styles (easy listening, jazz, and light classical) and the enhanced and normal conditions varied between channels on each version. Results indicated that subjects who listened to version A showed a significant preference for music recorded normally. Subjects who listened to version B spent significantly more time listening to music under the enhanced consition. Overall results of this study were not significant.

Keyword(s): frequency, preferred-music, older-adults, effect, music-listening.

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