What should you do if UCL/LDL levels are less than 10 dB apart?

When the discomfort (uncomfortable loudness level, UCL) and loudness discomfort level (LDL) are less than 10 dB apart, taking the average of the two values is a standardized approach. This is because the closeness of these levels indicates that the patient's range of comfortable and uncomfortable sounds is limited, making it necessary to find a reliable value that reflects their hearing capabilities. The average provides a balance between the two readings, which can offer a more accurate representation of the patient's tolerance to sound levels.

Using the highest value could result in an overestimation of the patient's threshold for discomfort, which may not accurately reflect their actual experience with sound. Simply repeating the test without any changes would not address the issue of the narrow range between UCL and LDL, and assuming a normal threshold might lead to inappropriate recommendations or fittings that do not meet the patient's needs. Therefore, averaging the two values is a practical and effective way to ensure that the audiometric assessment reflects the patient's hearing sensitivities accurately.