dynamic range
The difference in decibels between a patient's hearing threshold and their uncomfortable loudness level, representing the range within which listening is possible without discomfort.
Full Definition
In audiology, dynamic range refers to the span of intensities, measured in dB, between the softest sound a person can detect (hearing threshold) and the loudest sound tolerable before discomfort (uncomfortable loudness level). A reduced dynamic range, common in sensorineural hearing loss, complicates hearing aid fitting because amplification must be compressed into a narrower band. Editors should be alert to context when encountering 'dynamic range,' as the term also appears in acoustics and audio engineering with a related but distinct meaning. In audiological copy, the term is generally used without additional qualification when the clinical context is clear.
Usage
Usage note: Clarify context when 'dynamic range' appears in documents that also discuss audio equipment, as the engineering and clinical usages differ subtly.
In Context
- "The patient's dynamic range of only 30 dB necessitated a compression ratio greater than 3:1 during fitting." — Hearing aid fitting report
- "Wide dynamic range compression is specifically designed to accommodate listeners with a restricted dynamic range." — Clinical textbook chapter