{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.045730473492513156, 'fraction_numerical': 0.03925536220153784, 'mean_word_length': 4.7354988399071924, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Pure-tone thresholds and the binaural masking level difference

Although several studies have examined the relationship between high-frequency pure-tone thresholds and the 500-Hz binaural masking level difference (BMLD), the results have not always been consistent. In this study, a retrospective analysis was conducted on an existing dataset from over 3000 military service members that included both pure-tone thresholds measured as part of their annual hearing conservation testing and a 33-trial clinical test of the BMLD. There was only a slight dependence of the 500-Hz BMLD on high-frequency pure-tone thresholds. For listeners with elevated pure-tone thresholds, this dependence was in good agreement with the findings of Jerger et al. [Arch. Otolaryngol. 110, 290–296 (1984)] and slightly larger than that reported by Wilson and Weakley [J. Am. Acad. Audiol. 16, 367–382 (2005)]. For listeners with near-normal hearing, the dependence of the 500-Hz BMLD on the 4-kHz pure-tone threshold was substantially less than that reported by Bernstein and Trahiotis [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 140, 3540–3548 (2016)]. A possible explanation might be the degree of training offered to the subjects and procedural differences between clinical and laboratory techniques. [The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of Army/Navy/Air Force, Department of Defense, or U.S. Government.] Although several studies have examined the relationship between high-frequency pure-tone thresholds and the 500-Hz binaural masking level difference (BMLD), the results have not always been consistent. In this study, a retrospective analysis was conducted on an existing dataset from over 3000 military service members that included both pure-tone thresholds measured as part of their annual hearing conservation testing and a 33-trial clinical test of the BMLD. There was only a slight dependence of the 500-Hz BMLD on high-frequency pure-tone thresholds. For listeners with elevated pure-tone thresholds, this dependence was in good agreement with the findings of Jerger et al. [Arch. Otolaryngol. 110, 290–296 (1984)] and slightly larger than that reported by Wilson and Weakley [J. Am. Acad. Audiol. 16, 367–382 (2005)]. For listeners with near-normal hearing, the dependence of the 500-Hz BMLD on the 4-kHz pure-tone threshold was substantially less than that reported by Bernstein and Trahiotis [J. Acoust. Soc. Am...