At which frequencies is UCL typically tested for pure tones?

The typical frequencies for testing Uncomfortable Loudness Levels (UCL) in pure tone audiometry are often focused on mid to high frequencies that are most relevant for speech understanding and the assessment of loudness discomfort in everyday listening situations. The frequencies chosen are significant because they fall within the range where most conversational speech occurs, as well as the range that is most likely to elicit discomfort in individuals with hearing sensitivity issues.

Frequencies such as 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz cover the crucial area of human speech intelligibility and represent a transition from low to mid-range to high frequencies. This range is essential for determining how an individual experiences sound at levels that may be tolerable versus those that become uncomfortably loud, allowing audiologists to make informed decisions about hearing aid fitting and sound amplification.

The other options suggest frequencies that either do not align with the typical frequencies used in UCL testing or focus too much on either very low frequencies or higher frequencies that are less relevant to the average hearing discourse, thereby not supporting a comprehensive assessment of uncomfortable loudness.