Preferences for differentiated frequency loudness levels in older adult music listening

Journal/Book: Journal of Music Therapy. 1989; 26: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. National Association for Music Therapy 8455 Colesville Rd., Suite 930 20910 Silver Spring, Maryland USA. 18-29.

Abstract: This study was designed to explore intensity preferences in music listening through an operant task that allowed subjects to alter loudness (intensity) levels for four selected frequency bands. Comparisons were made relating the effects of age, sex, frequency, band, song, and presentation condition to intensity preferences and to the initial presentation volume. Six age groups comprising 18- through 90-year old subjects (N=180) participated in the study. Subsequent loudness preferences were assessed for four frequency bands (110, 330, 1,000 and 3,000 Hz) using a graphic frequency equalizer. Results obtained from equalizer settings indicated a significant difference between age groups. Subjects in the three younger age groups (18-53) preferred louder volume levels than did subjects in the oldest age group. Older subjects with deteriorating hearing abilities did not compensate by increasing the volume, while younger subjects with much better hearing did increase loudness levels.

Keyword(s): preference, loudness, loudness-level, intensity, music-listening, music-listening-preference, operant, operand-assessment, adult, older-adults.

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