Skip to main content
Researchdata.se

Hörsel- och bullerdata från svenska förskolor

pDPOAE and Noise Exposure in Swedish Preschools
https://doi.org/10.5878/kp2z-2239
This dataset contains anonymised measurements of hearing function and noise exposure among children in Swedish preschools. Data collection involved two types of objective measurements: Pressurised Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (pDPOAE) as an indicator of cochlear function. Noise exposure measurements using personal dosimeters that recorded A-weighted sound levels during preschool attendance. No tympanometry data are included in the dataset, but tympanometric screening was used as a quality control criterion for inclusion of DPOAE results. The dataset includes the following variables: Anonymised participant ID Measurement timing (morning/afternoon, beginning/end of the week) LAeqTi (equivalent continuous A-weighted sound level over the measurement interval) LAFmax95 (95th percentile of maximum A-weighted sound pressure level) DPOAE amplitudes for the right and left ears at 3–8 kHz, quality controlled according to predefined criteria Variable definitions, units, and coding schemes are provided in the accompanying codebook.
Download documentation (2 files / 12.36 KiB)

Documentation files

Citation and access

Data access level:

Creator/​Principal investigator(s):

Research principal:

Data contains personal data:

No

Citation:

Language:

Method and outcome

Unit of analysis:

Population:

Children aged 4 to 6 years enrolled in municipal preschools in western Sweden. The population includes typically developing children without known hearing impairments, participating in regular preschool activities during the data collection period.

Time method:

Description of sampling:

Children aged 4–6 years were recruited from participating Swedish preschools as part of a field study on noise exposure and hearing function. Preschools were selected to reflect a variety of physical layouts, group sizes, and noise conditions. Within each preschool, all children in the relevant age group were invited to participate. Inclusion was based on parental consent and the child's ability to comply with the measurement procedures. No stratification or randomisation was applied. The sample is thus a convenience sample with ecological validity, reflecting naturalistic variation in preschool settings.

Time period(s) investigated:

Variables:

18

Number of individuals/​objects:

100

Response rate/​participation rate:

34.7%

Description of the response rate/​participation rate:

Out of 288 invited participants, informed consent was obtained for 100 children (participation rate: 34.7 %). Of these, 75 children were included in the dosimetry analyses, and 56 were included in the analysis of cochlear function (pDPOAE). Inclusion was based on data quality and completeness.

Data format/​data structure:

Data collection Physical measurements and tests

Mode of collection:

Physical measurements and tests

Description of the mode of collection:

Hearing data were collected using pressurised distortion product otoacoustic emissions (pDPOAE), conducted in preschool environments using portable equipment. Sound exposure was measured with personal dosimeters (Svantek SV104), worn by children during all or parts of their preschool day. Measurements were performed by trained staff following standardised protocols. Data quality was ensured through tympanometric screening, application of amplitude and signal-to-noise thresholds, and device-specific reliability indicators.

Time period(s) for data collection:

2022-10-10 - 2024-05-15

Data collector:

Instrument

Name:

Interacoustics Titan

Type:

Technical instrument(s)

Description of the instrument:

Used to measure distortion product otoacoustic emissions (pDPOAE) with pressurised probe and automated tympanometric screening. Measurements followed a 2f1–f2 stimulus protocol, with L1/L2 = 65/55 dB SPL and f2/f1 = 1.22. Only recordings meeting predefined quality criteria were included: tympanometry within –150 to +50 daPa, ≥80% reliability (as per instrument algorithm), amplitude > –10 dB SPL, and signal-to-noise ratio > 6 dB.

Name:

Svantek SV104 personal dosimeter

Type:

Technical instrument(s)

Description of the instrument:

Used to measure A-weighted sound levels (LAeqTi, LAFmax95) during preschool attendance. Logging interval: 1 s.

Geographic coverage

Geographic location:

Geographic description:

The dataset from the 2022–2024 period comprises 15 preschool departments in Gothenburg, Sweden, distributed across four major city districts: Centrum (n = 4), Hisingen (n = 3), Nordost (n = 3), and Sydväst (n = 2). The selection includes preschools located in both central and peripheral parts of the city, such as Örgryte-Härlanda, Norra Hisingen, Angered, Kortedala, Frölunda, and Askim-Hovås. This geographical diversity enables analysis of contextual and acoustic conditions across varied preschool environments.

Administrative information

Responsible department/​unit:

School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine

Contributor(s):

Ethical Review

Reviewer:

Registration number:

2019-03412

Funding

Funding agency:

Award number:

2020-00323

Funding agency:

Award number:

FB24-0023

Topic and keywords

CESSDA topic classification:

Swedish Standard Classification of Research Subjects 2025:

Keywords:

Publications

Citation:

Sandström, L., Fredriksson, S., Mäki-Torkko, E., Ögren, M., Fels, J., & Persson Waye, K. (2025). Short-Term Impact of Preschool Sound Exposure on Outer Hair Cell Function in Young Children: An Analysis Using Pressurised Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0332863

Metadata

Version 1
doris
gu_en
Version 1 published: