Intergenerational preferences for radio loudness during automobile driving

IntroductionThe comparative contribution to human noise exposure from the vehicular radio is unknown, as are the radio volume preferences of different generations when driving an automobile.Materials and MethodsA single vehicle was used to measure radio listening level in decibels of three generations (age 16-17 years, age 32-50 years, and age 51-73 years) in various conditions, ranging from engine off with windows closed to 60 miles per hour (mph) with windows open.ResultsNo differences in radio loudness based on the sex of the driver were found. Statistically significant differences were identified in preferred signal to noise ratio among multiple vehicular paradigms, with the youngest generation preferring the largest signal to noise ratio in conditions with low background noise.ConclusionsThe youngest generation favored the largest signal to noise ratio (radio level above background noise), a preference which waned with increasing background noise.