The effects of enhanced higher frequencies on the musical preference of older adults

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of pres bycusis (loss of hearing for higher frequencies) on music pref erence. Older adult subjects were exposed to music that had been recorded with frequencies around the 3 kHz level; re cordings were enhanced 15 dB to ascertain preferences for enhanced music over the normally recorded music. A Music Listening Recorder was used to assess musical preference, with music recorded under normal and enhanced conditions presented on opposite channels of a two-channel tape. Sub jects were assigned to one of two listening tapes, with the order of musical styles (easy listening, jazz, and light classical) and the enhanced and normal conditions varied between channels on each version. Results indicate that subjects who listened to Version A showed a significant preference for music recorded normally; these subjects listened to the nor ma//y recorded version significantly more in the jazz style. Subjects who listened to Version B spent significant/y more time listening to music recorded under the enhanced condi tion than did subjects who listened to Version A. While overall results of this study were not significant, indicating no true preference for music recorded under enhanced conditions, enough variations occurred between groups and musical sty/es to warrant further investigation. This pilot study was conducted to determine whether con tinued research examining the effect of presbycusis on music preference is justified. This topic is particularly important to the music therapist who uses music listening as an integral part of a treatment plan with older adults. Results of this pilot stud