What is it?
The Contour Test of loudness perception yields data describing the sound level required for each of seven categories of loudness ranging from very soft to uncomfortably loud. It was designed to be used in clinical hearing aid fitting. Evidence from research indicates that standardized measurement of loudness perception is an achievable goal for clinical practice. The Contour Test offers a viable approach to clinical measurement of loudness perception. It has good patient acceptance and combines fairly rapid administration with acceptable reliability.
How do I get it?
Obtaining the Contour Worksheets
The Contour worksheets for manual administration of the Contour Test are available to download. The files are in Microsoft Word for Windows (Version 6) format as well as PDF format.
Obtaining instructions for administering the Contour Test
An information packet for administering the Contour test is available to download. The file is in Microsoft Word for Windows (Version 6) format as well as in PDF format.
The document contains:
– Contour Test Psychological Procedure
– Instructions for Loudness Test
– Categories for Loudness
– Normal Range For Contour Test (Warble Tone Stimulus)
References
Cox, RM, Alexander,GC, Taylor, IM, and Gray, GA. “The Contour Test of loudness perception”. Ear and Hearing, 18: 388-400 (1997).
Cox, RM. “Using Loudness data for Hearing Aid Selection: The IHAFF Approach”. Hearing Journal, 48(2), 10, 39-44 (1995).
Contour Test Worksheets
Administration Instructions for the Contour Test