The Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) in a hearing test is the softest level at which a person can correctly repeat bisyllabic spondee (balanced syllable) words 50% of the time.
Understanding SRT
The Speech Reception Threshold is a crucial part of an audiometric examination. It helps determine the quietest level at which someone can understand speech. Here's a breakdown:
- Softest Intensity: This refers to the lowest sound level (measured in decibels, dB) at which a person can hear and understand speech.
- Bisyllabic Spondee Words: These are words with two syllables, each receiving equal stress (e.g., "baseball", "hotdog", "airplane"). These words are used because they are relatively easy to hear and repeat, even at low volumes.
- 50% Correct Repetition: The SRT isn't about hearing every single word perfectly, it's the level where a person can understand and repeat half of the words correctly.
SRT in Relation to Other Speech Tests
It's important to distinguish SRT from other speech tests in audiology:
| Test | Description |
|---|---|
| Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) | Softest level where bisyllabic words are repeated correctly 50% of the time. |
| Word Recognition Score | The percentage of words discerned at the threshold, usually given as a percentage. |
| Speech Discrimination | The percentage of single syllabic words identified and repeated correctly at suprathreshold levels (typically 30 dB above SRT). |
Why is SRT Important?
- Hearing Assessment: It helps audiologists understand the degree of hearing loss a person may have and at what levels they can understand speech.
- Hearing Aid Fitting: SRT information can be used to help determine what type and strength of hearing aid is appropriate.
- Monitoring Hearing Changes: Serial SRT tests can track changes in hearing over time.
In summary, the SRT is a fundamental test in audiology that measures a person’s ability to understand speech at low volume levels. It's used for diagnosis, hearing aid fitting, and tracking changes in hearing health.
