Categorical loudness scaling offers a clinically rapid, low-training test of suprathreshold hearing

Evidence

Loudness is a manifestation of nonlinear suprathreshold perception that is altered when cochlear damage exists (Allen 2008 ). There are a number of techniques for measuring loudness perception (Florentine 2011 ); in this work we will focus on categorical loudness scaling (CLS). CLS is a task that has a well-studied relationship with hearing loss, uses category labels that are ecologically valid (e.g., “Loud”, “Soft”), can be administered in a clinic relatively quickly (< 5 min/frequency), and requires little training on the part of the tester/listener. — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 2513

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces and defines categorical loudness scaling (CLS) as a measurement technique.