Audiology - Speech Audiometry Materials Flashcards
Why is pure tone audiometry not sufficient by itself?
It only tells you about thresholds of audibility.
It doesn’t inform on comprehension of what is heard
Is speech or pure tone signals clearer?
Pure tone.
Speech is one of the most complex signals
What are the sources of information involved in speech?
- Phonetic information (acoustic cues)
- Visual cues
- Linguistic/situation information (context)
What factors make assessing speech perception in clinic difficult?
The multiple sources of information that interact in speech, time, methodological issues
What method is currently used to measure speech perception in clinic?
Word lists
(single word level)
What is a Supra-threshold test used for?
To assist in hearing aid evaluation and to monitor progress
What is the aim of a Supra-threshold test?
To establish a client’s maximum ability to identify speech at comfortable listening levels ABOVE their pure tone threshold
What do you need to know when choosing intensity levels for a Supra-threshold test?
The client’s pure tone average (PTA)
What is the intensity level for the first word list?
30dBHL above threshold
By what should intensity increase by until the maximum score is obtained?
10dBHL
How are Supra-threshold tests carried out?
- Each ear tested separately
- Client repeats the word 3. Scoring for % correct at each level
What are the characteristics of the words used on Supra-threshold tests?
3 phonemes per word, 10 words per list
What are the axis on a Speech Audiogram?
Relative Speech Level vs. Optimum Discrimination Score
What is normal hearing on a Speech Audiogram?
100% achieved at levels 40dB above threshold
What does a Speech Audiogram look like for conductive hearing loss?
Similar pattern to normal hearing if signals are amplified sufficiently 100% is possible (from approx 40dB upwards)
What does a Speech Audiogram look like for sensori-neural hearing loss?
Maximum score is often less than 100% and curve starts from approx 50dB upwards
Why is the maximum score often less than 100% for sensori-neural hearing loss?
Broadened auditory filters and loss of frequency selectivity
What number of audiologists report using no speech tests for aided outcome measures?
One third
What is a simple screening for speech perception?
The Ling Six Sound Check
What needs to be taken into account when designing a test of speech perception?
- Purpose of the test
- Characteristics of a ‘good’ test
- Test design
- Test methodology
- Test scoring and interpretation
What are the purposes of speech perception tests?
- To provide a measure of how well listeners understand speech
- To reflect the degree of communication handicap created by the hearing loss
- To provide information for planning and managing auditory rehab
What are the characteristics of a good speech perception test?
- Predictive validity (predicting performance) 2. Content validity (are lists of equivalent difficulty)
- Face validity (does it measure what it is supposed to)
What are the steps in developing a speech perception test?
- Defining the test (words/sentences)
- Design test items
- Pre-test items with target populations
- Evaluate potential test items
- Cross-validate using additional subjects 6. Validate final forms on new sample of appropriate subjects
What is meant by response format?
Method of answering e.g. - open / closed set
What needs to be taken into account regarding admin / interpretation of tests?
Response format, scoring method, test admin time, presentation level and mode (e.g. Headphones)
What are the levels of speech perception tests?
Analytic (far from normal speech - word lists) to global (close to normal communication)
What do analytic speech perception tests provide?
Reliable information about the use of acoustic information
What do global speech perception tests provide?
Sentence level / paragraph level information but cannot be used to reliably evaluate acoustic information
Name some analytic speech perception tests
- VCV
- Word tests (lexical) - Semantically Unpredictable Sentences (no semantic information)
- SPIN tests (controlled semantic information)
What is a VCV test useful for?
Measuring what information a client can perceive - does not measure higher level processing
What is involved in word tests?
Simple sentence structure with high frequency words (e.g. The boy ran down the path)
How are word tests scored?
By the % of words identified
What is the aim of SUS tests?
To look at word recognition in connected speech without the influence of semantic information
Give an example of an SUS sentence
The table walked through the blue truth
Who devised the SUS test?
Benoit, Hazan and Grice (1996)
Who devised the SPIN test?
Kalikow, Stevens and Elliot (1979)
What is the SPIN test designed to do?
Test speech perception in background noise
Name some global speech perception tests
- Text comprehension (followed by open/closed questions)
- Sentence verification (reaction time for true / false responses)
What do global speech perception tests provide information on?
A client’s real world difficulties but NOT their specific difficulties
