The effect of difficult listening situations on anxiety levels has not been tested on middle-aged adult and older adult populations. In order to determine if a relationship exists between difficult listening situations and anxiety levels, self-reported levels of state anxiety were measured pre- and post-speech recognition testing in young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults. Four measures of speech recognition where used: the Revised-Speech Perception in Noise test (R-SPIN), the Quick Speech-in-Noise test (QSIN), the Words-in-Noise test (WIN), and the VA Dichotic Digits test. Thirty young adults with normal hearing, 19 middle-aged adults with minimal sensory-neural hearing loss, and 17 older adults with no more than a moderately-severe sensory-neural hearing loss participated. Results revealed no significant differences in state anxiety levels as a function of age. Within each age group, significant increases in anxiety levels were found. Young adults had significant increases in anxiety levels post-Dichotic Digits. Middle-aged adults had significant increases in anxiety levels post-RSPIN, post-QSIN, post-WIN, and post-Dichotic Digits. Older adults had significant increases in anxiety levels post-QSIN and post-Dichotic Digits. Changes in state anxiety levels were variable within each age group and did not follow any trends, except for an overall increase in anxiety levels post-Dichotic Digits test. Speech recognition testing performance in young adults and middle-aged adults was comparable on all four measures of speech recognition. Older adult speech recognition testing performance was significantly poorer than both young and middle-aged adults on all four measures of speech recognition. Results of the present study suggest that changes in state anxiety are variable by individual, but do not necessarily affect performance on speech recognition testing. However, consistent increases in anxiety levels for Dichotic Digits suggests that additional counseling and encouragement could be beneficial to patient comfort.This research was supported by The Ohio State University’s College of Arts and Sciences Honors Committee and The Ohio State University’s Social and Behavioral SciencesNo embargoAcademic Major: Speech and Hearing Scienc
