The Ability of Mildly Hearing-Impaired Individuals to Discriminate Speech in Noise.
Abstract
The purpose of the investigation was to explore the relationship between hearing level at various audiometric frequencies and speech discrimination in different noise backgrounds. The study was designed specifically to test the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology's (AAOO) selection of a 26-dB average of 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz, as the point above which hearing handicap occurs. The AAOO method for computing hearing handicap has lately been brought into question for two primary reasons: that the 26-dB fence is too high, and for the exclusion of frequencies above 2000 Hz. The following experimental questions were posed: (1) What is the relationship between average hearing level at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz and speech discrimination scores in noise for individuals whose average hearing levels are at or better than the AAOO low fence; (2) Is the relationship dependent upon speech-to-noise ratio; (3) Is the relationship between average hearing level and speech discrimination scores differently described by different speech materials; and (4) Which combination of audiometric frequencies best predicts speech discrimination scores.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA058929
Entities
People
- Alice H. Suter
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory