Citation

Hanser FHB, Adjei Boakye E, Mikulec AA. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2017; 98: 64-67.

Affiliation

Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 3635 Vista Ave, 6FDT, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address: mikuleca@slu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijporl.2017.04.042

PMID

28583506

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The comparative contribution to human noise exposure from the vehicular radio is unknown, as are the radio volume preferences of different generations when driving an automobile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single vehicle was used to measure radio listening level in decibels of three generations (age 16-17 years, age 32-50 years, and age 51-73 years) in various conditions, ranging from engine off with windows closed to 60 miles per hour (mph) with windows open.

RESULTS: No differences in radio loudness based on the sex of the driver were found. Statistically significant differences were identified in preferred signal to noise ratio among multiple vehicular paradigms, with the youngest generation preferring the largest signal to noise ratio in conditions with low background noise.

CONCLUSIONS: The youngest generation favored the largest signal to noise ratio (radio level above background noise), a preference which waned with increasing background noise.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Age factors; Automobile driving; Noise; Signal-to-noise ratio