SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Speech Reception Threshold Test”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

The question of phonetic balance in word recognition testing.

Twenty subjects with normal hearing and 15 subjects with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing losses were tested with eight lists of words using monosyllabic pronunciation to determine word recognition scores. Four of the lists were taken from Northwestern University Test No. 6 and four were simply made up by randomly selecting words from a dictionary. All of the word lists were used to determine performance-intensity functions. No clinically meaningful differences were observed among the lists.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Early results using the nucleus CI24M in children.

OBJECTIVE: To report early postimplantation speech recognition results in children who received Nucleus CI24M cochlear implants. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of 19 consecutively implanted children. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Congenitally deaf children (20 months to 15 years old) were implanted with the Nucleus CI24M and followed-up at New York University Medical Center for a period of 3 to 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Speech perception was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using the Early Speech Perception (ESP) test, the Glendonald Auditory Screening Procedure (GASP) word and sentence tests, Phonetically Balanced Kindergarten (PBK) monosyllabic word lists, Common Phrases test, the Multisyllabic and Lexical Neighborhood (MLNT, LNT) tests, and the Banford-Kowal-Bench (BKB) sentence test. RESULTS: One-way analyses of variance revealed significant improvement in open-set speech recognition in children able to perform measurement tasks. CONCLUSIONS: The Nucleus CI24M cochlear implant provides significant benefit to children after short-term use.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Measurement of pitch by subharmonic summation.

In order to account for the phenomenon of virtual pitch, various theories assume implicitly or explicitly that each spectral component introduces a series of subharmonics. The spectral-compression method for pitch determination can be viewed as a direct implementation of this principle. The widespread application of this principle in pitch determination is, however, impeded by numerical problems with respect to accuracy and computational efficiency. A modified algorithm is described that solves these problems. Its performance is tested for normal speech and "telephone" speech, i.e., speech high-pass filtered at 300 Hz. The algorithm out-performs the harmonic-sieve method for pitch determination, while its computational requirements are about the same. The algorithm is described in terms of nonlinear system theory, i.c., subharmonic summation. It is argued that the favorable performance of the subharmonic-summation algorithm stems from its corresponding more closely with current pitch-perception theories than does the harmonic sieve.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2001

Impact of compression and hearing aid style on directional hearing aid benefit and performance.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of low-threshold compression and hearing aid style (in-the-ear [ITE] versus behind-the-ear [BTE]) on the directional benefit and performance of commercially available directional hearing aids. DESIGN: Forty-seven adult listeners with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss were fit bilaterally with one BTE and four different ITE hearing aids. Speech recognition performance was measured through the Connected Speech Test (CST) and Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) for a simulated noisy restaurant environment. RESULTS: For both the HINT and CST, speech recognition performance was significantly greater for subjects fit with directional in comparison with omnidirectional microphone hearing aids. Performance was significantly poorer for the BTE instrument in comparison with the ITE hearing aids when using omnidirectional microphones. No differences were found for directional benefit between compression and linear fitting schemes. CONCLUSIONS: No systematic relationship was found between the relative directional benefit and hearing aid style; however, the speech recognition performance of the subjects was somewhat predictable based on Directivity Index measures of the individual hearing aid models. The fact that compression did not interact significantly with microphone type agrees well with previously reported electroacoustic data.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1990

Auditive and cognitive factors in speech perception by elderly listeners. II: Multivariate analyses.

In part I of this study [van Rooij et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 86, 1294-1309 (1989)], the validity and manageability of a test battery comprising auditive (sensitivity, frequency resolution, and temporal resolution), cognitive (memory performance, processing speed, and intellectual abilities), and speech perception tests (at the phoneme, spondee, and sentence level) were investigated. In the present article, the results of a selection of these tests for 72 elderly subjects (aged 60-93 years) are analyzed by multivariate statistical techniques. The results show that the deterioration of speech perception in the elderly consists of two statistically independent components: (a) a large component mainly representing the progressive high-frequency hearing loss with age that accounts for approximately two-thirds of the systematic variance of the tests of speech perception and (b) a smaller component (accounting for one-third of the systematic variance of the speech perception tests) mainly representing a general performance decrement due to reduced mental efficiency, which is indicated by a general slowing of performance and a reduced memory capacity. Although both components are correlated with age, it was found that the balance between auditive and cognitive contributions to speech perception performance did not change with age.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Comparison of two digital hearing instrument fitting strategies.

Two different hearing instrument fitting strategies were compared in the laboratory and in a field test with regard to the benefit for hearing aid users and their satisfaction with the fitting. DSL [input/output (i/o)] fittings based on hearing threshold and uncomfortable levels for the subject were evaluated vs a prescriptive fitting method based on unaided loudness scaling. Twenty-one subjects were fitted diotically with both fitting strategies implemented in a digital hearing instrument (Siemens Prisma). The patients tested both fitting strategies sequentially in a 4 + 4-week field trial using a crossover study design. Speech recognition threshold measurements, sound quality ratings and paired comparisons of sound quality were performed for all conditions (unaided, DSL[i/o] fitting and loudness-based fitting). In addition, subjective benefit and preference were assessed with questionnaires. Speech audiometry did not reveal significant differences between the two fittings. DSL[i/o] fittings showed superior results in most sound quality tests and in the self-assessment of communication abilities while the loudness-based approach was slightly preferred in noisy environments. The results seemed to be influenced by the higher gain predicted by DSL[i/o]. This study provides no evidence that effort spent on loudness scaling leads to improved fitting results.

Audiometry, Speech↗

PubMed2006

A Swedish version of the Hearing In Noise Test (HINT) for measurement of speech recognition.

A Swedish Hearing In Noise Test (HINT), consisting of everyday sentences to be used in an adaptive procedure to estimate the speech recognition thresholds in noise and quiet, has been developed. The material consists of 250 sentences, with a length of five to nine syllables, normalized for naturalness, difficulty and reliability. The sentences were recorded with a female speaker. From the sentences, 25 phonemically balanced lists were created. All lists fluctuate less than 1 dB of the overall mean. The standard deviation of the test-retest difference is 0.94 dB when testing with one list, and decreases to 0.68 dB and 0.56 dB for two and three lists, respectively. The average speech recognition thresholds in noise for the Swedish sentences were -3.0 dB signal/noise ratio (SD=1.1 dB). The present study has resulted in a well-defined and internationally comparable set of sentences, which can be used in Swedish audiological rehabilitation and research to measure speech recognition in noise and quiet.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1983

Sentence identification in noise and hearing-handicap questionnaires.

We compared the results of two hearing-handicap questionnaires (the Social Hearing-Handicap Index and the Hearing Measurement Scale) and the scores on three sentence-in-noise tests (CID sentences in continuous noise, BKB sentences in continuous noise and BKB sentences in noise modulated by the speech). Thirty subjects were tested, 6 with normal hearing, 11 with a mixed hearing loss, and 13 with a sensorineural hearing loss. Significant correlations were found among the sentence identification scores and the questionnaires, particularly those questions that dealt with the understanding of speech. Both the questionnaires and the sentence-identification scores were also highly correlated to pure-tone sensitivity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

[Effect of linguistic competence on speech audiometry results using the Basel Sentence Test].

Linguistic competence, such as a mental lexicon knowledge of syntactic rules of the language and the use of semantic constraints, may impact central speech processing and play an important role in speech recognition. The influence of linguistic ability on speech understanding was investigated using the Basel Sentence Understanding Test. The subject's linguistic ability was determined based upon educational background (elementary school, high school and or university) and intelligence quotients (IQ) based on the reduced version of the Hamburg-Wechsler Intelligence Test. Forty normally-hearing subjects listened to five test forms of the Basel Sentence Understanding Test. Each test form comprised a fraction of 15 low-predictable (LP) test items and 15 high-predictable (HP) test items based on the amount of contextual information in the phrases. No effect of educational background and IQ-value could be demonstrated on the scores of LP sentences. However, there was a small but significant influence of educational background and IQ-value on the scores of HP sentences. The implications of these findings on clinical speech audiometry are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Speech recognition in normal hearing and sensorineural hearing loss as a function of the number of spectral channels.

Speech recognition by normal-hearing listeners improves as a function of the number of spectral channels when tested with a noiseband vocoder simulating cochlear implant signal processing. Speech recognition by the best cochlear implant users, however, saturates around eight channels and does not improve when more electrodes are activated, presumably due to reduced frequency selectivity caused by channel interactions. Listeners with sensorineural hearing loss may also have reduced frequency selectivity due to cochlear damage and the resulting reduction in the nonlinear cochlear mechanisms. The present study investigates whether such a limitation in spectral information transmission would be observed with hearing-impaired listeners, similar to implant users. To test the hypothesis, hearing-impaired subjects were selected from a population of patients with moderate hearing loss of cochlear origin, where the frequency selectivity would be expected to be poorer compared to normal hearing. Hearing-impaired subjects were tested for vowel and consonant recognition in steady-state background noise of varying levels using a noiseband vocoder and as a function of the number of spectral channels. For comparison, normal-hearing subjects were tested with the same stimuli at different presentation levels. In quiet and low background noise, performance by normal-hearing and hearing-impaired subjects was similar. In higher background noise, performance by hearing-impaired subjects saturated around eight channels, while performance by normal-hearing subjects continued to increase up to 12-16 channels with vowels, and 10-12 channels with consonants. A similar trend was observed for most of the presentation levels at which the normal-hearing subjects were tested. Therefore, it is unlikely that the effects observed with hearing-impaired subjects were due to insufficient audibility or high presentation levels. Consequently, the results with hearing-impaired subjects were similar to previous results obtained with implant users, but only for background noise conditions.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Clinical evaluation of a programmable three-channel automatic gain control amplification system.

This paper reports on the clinical evaluation of a commercially available head-worn programmable 3-channel automatic gain control (AGC) hearing instrument (Siemens, Triton 3000). A preliminary fitting procedure is developed for the 3-channel AGC amplification system, which is compared by 26 experienced hearing instrument wearers with their own single-channel AGC instruments. The benefits of both amplification systems are assessed by speech audiometry at different signal-to-noise ratios utilizing German rhyme test speech material. In addition, subjective judgements concerning sound quality, speech intelligibility and comparison with the subject's own instrument are evaluated. The results indicate that the multichannel compression instrument is superior to single-channel aids in competitive speech situations. If the 3-channel AGC instrument is used as an automatic noise reduction system in patients requiring a certain amount of low-frequency gain, a markedly better speech recognition can be achieved compared to the subject's personal aids.

Audiometry, Speech↗

PubMed1998

Current evaluation of pseudohypacusis: strategies and classification.

Some cases of pseudohypacusis may involve medicolegal aspects and require a confirmed and quantitative diagnosis. These challenging cases must be identified, and then evaluated with basic audiologic and sophisticated electrophysiologic tests. Data on 64 patients with pseudohypacusis collected over a 4-year period are reported. A classification system was developed from an analysis of these cases and is presented for clinical evaluation and diagnosis. In many cases, conventional audiologic evaluation involving pure tone and speech audiometry may be adequate and sufficient for diagnosis. In more complex cases, evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAEs) and auditory brain stem responses (ABRs) are needed for confirmation of peripheral auditory sensitivity. We found that EOAEs were the most rapid economical, and objective method, and confirmed the diagnosis of hearing loss in 78.1% of cases. Fifteen percent of subjects required ABRs to substantiate the diagnosis. The reliability of basic audiologic tests based on previous clinical investigations and data from the literature are discussed. We conclude that a thorough knowledge and understanding of pseudohypacusis is essential to verify the existence of pseudohypacusis, to determine its type, and to quantify the auditory thresholds.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1995

Speech recognition in noise by hearing-impaired and noise-masked normal-hearing listeners.

A prevailing complaint among individuals with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is difficulty understanding speech, particularly under adverse listening conditions. The present investigation compared the speech-recognition abilities of listeners with mild to moderate degrees of SNHL to normal-hearing individuals with simulated hearing impairments, accomplished using spectrally shaped masking noise. Speech-perception ability was assessed using the predictability-high sentences from the Speech Perception in Noise test. Results revealed significant differences between groups in sentential-recognition ability, with the hearing-impaired subjects performing poorer than the masked-normal listeners. These findings suggest the presence of a secondary distortion degrading sentential-recognition ability in the hearing impaired, implications of these data will be discussed concerning the mechanism(s) responsible for speech perception in the hearing impaired.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Clinical evaluation and test-retest reliability of the IHR-McCormick Automated Toy Discrimination Test.

The IHR-McCormick Automated Toy Discrimination Test (ATT) measures the minimum sound level at which a child can identify words presented in quiet in the sound field. This 'word-discrimination threshold' provides a direct measure of the ease with which a child can identify speech and a surrogate measure of auditory sensitivity. This paper describes steps taken to maximize the test-retest reliability of the ATT and to enable it to measure word-discrimination thresholds in noise as well as in quiet. It then describes the results of a clinical evaluation of the ATT in which paediatric audiologists measured word-discrimination thresholds in quiet from 215 successive attendees (in the age range 2 to 13 years) at a paediatric audiology clinic presenting over a 2-month period. When children with atypical cognition or delayed development of language were excluded, 72% of the children provided two word-discrimination thresholds and 83% provided at least one word-discrimination threshold. Children who failed to provide word-discrimination thresholds were generally younger than four years of age. Although a few children who could not perform pure-tone or warble-tone audiometry managed to provide word-discrimination thresholds, most children who could perform the ATT could also perform pure-tone audiometry. The average pure-tone threshold in the better-hearing ear could be predicted from the word-discrimination threshold with a 95% confidence interval of +/- 13 dB. The test-retest reliability of the ATT was measured in two ways. First, to enable comparison with published results, the within-subjects standard deviation of word-discrimination thresholds was calculated. It varied as a function of age and degree of impairment, but was never worse than 3.3 dB. Children of four years of age and older displayed the adult reliability of 2.3 dB. Second, the variability of absolute differences between word-discrimination thresholds was calculated. It was such that a change of 7 dB between two runs of the test (e.g. aided and unaided) would be expected to occur by change less than one time in 20. These results extend previous evaluations of the ATT to a clinically representative population and confirm that word-discrimination thresholds provide a useful complement to warble-tone and pure-tone audiometry.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Directional hearing aid benefit in listeners with severe hearing loss.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the potential for directional hearing aid benefit in listeners with severe hearing loss at multiple SNRs for both auditory only and audio-visual presentation modes. Speech recognition performance was measured using the connected speech test at six SNRs individually determined for each subject in order to avoid floor and ceiling effects. The results revealed significant directional benefit was present at all tested SNRs in the presence of visual information. For auditory only presentations, significant directional benefit was only present at the least positive SNR. The largest directional benefit was measured at the poorest tested SNR for both auditory only and audiovisual presentation modes. The results of this study generally support small but significant directional for listeners with severe hearing loss benefit in a difficult listening environment both with and without the presence of visual information.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2005

The effect of audibility, signal-to-noise ratio, and temporal speech cues on the benefit from fast-acting compression in modulated noise.

The objective of the experiment was to investigate three aspects that might contribute to the benefit of fast-acting compression seen in normal-hearing listeners. Six normal-hearing listeners were tested with speech recognition in a fully modulated noise (FUM) either through a fast-acting compressor or through linear amplification. In the first experiment, three different presentation levels of the FUM noise (15, 30, and 45 dB SL) were tested. The second experiment manipulated the control signal of the compressor independently of the audio input signal at four signal-to-noise ratios (-15, 10, -5, and 0 dB). A signal correlated noise version of the speech signal was tested in the third experiment at three speech-to-noise ratios (-20, -15 and -10 dB). Results showed that performance was better with compression than with linear amplification through all of the tested conditions at least when the signal-to-noise ratio was negative. The results suggest that other aspects of the hearing impairment than those simulated here are involved in the degraded performance seen for some hearing-impaired listeners with fast-acting compression.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1987

Perceived benefits of amplification as a function of central auditory status in the elderly.

A measure of perceived hearing aid benefit was obtained from 24 older hearing-impaired adults who had received their hearing aids a minimum of 6 months prior to this study. Subjects were also administered a battery of tests, including comparisons of maximum scores for phonetically balanced words and the Synthetic Sentence Identification Test to identify central auditory disorder. There appears to be no relationship between perceived hearing aid benefit and central auditory function as measured in this study. Several explanations for these somewhat surprising findings are offered, as well as clinical implications regarding the use of hearing aids by older adults.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Speech perception with a cochlear implant used in conjunction with a hearing aid in the opposite ear.

The aim of this study was to determine the improvement in speech recognition provided by a cochlear implant (CI) in conjunction with a hearing aid (HA) in the opposite ear. The study was a retrospective cohort study in the context of a university teaching hospital CI programme. Seven CI patients who still use their HA in the opposite ear were tested. The scores with the CI alone and the CI in conjunction with an HA were evaluated by using three speech perception tests in quiet (Freiburger Numbers. Freiburger Monosyllables, and Innsbrucker Sentence Test). In the majority of tests and subjects. the CI alone performed better than the HA alone, and the bimodal (CI + HA) condition was superior to the CI alone. On the sentence test, the patients as a group improved from 47 96% (mean: 79%; CI alone) to 50-100% (mean: 88.1%; CI + HA, pv < 0.05). With the more difficult monosyllable test, the scores improved from 15-52% (mean: 37.2%; CI alone) to 15 82% (mean: 48.7%; CI + HA, p < 0.05). On the numbers test. scores increased from 65-98% (mean: 83%; CI alone) to 75-98% (mean: 88.7%; CI + HA, p < 0.05). All patients in this study were implanted in the poorer ear. The results of the present study suggest the advantage of CI usage in conjunction with an HA in the opposite ear.

Acoustic Stimulation↗