The speech test is called speech audiometry.
Understanding Speech Audiometry
Speech audiometry is a type of hearing test used to evaluate a person's ability to hear and understand spoken words. Unlike pure-tone audiometry, which assesses the softest sounds one can hear at various frequencies, speech audiometry focuses specifically on the perception of speech. It involves two distinct tests, as detailed below:
Types of Speech Audiometry Tests:
| Test | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) | Determines how loud speech needs to be for a person to just barely hear it. |
| Word Recognition Score (WRS) | Assesses how well a person understands and distinguishes different words when they hear them spoken. |
Why is Speech Audiometry Important?
Speech audiometry is critical because:
- It provides insights into how well someone can understand speech in everyday conversations, which may not be fully reflected by pure-tone hearing tests alone.
- It helps in diagnosing hearing loss and determining the type and severity of the problem.
- It can aid in the selection and fitting of hearing aids or other assistive devices.
- It helps in understanding communication challenges people with hearing issues experience in daily life.
How is Speech Audiometry Conducted?
- Speech Reception Threshold (SRT): The patient is asked to repeat words spoken at various loudness levels. The lowest loudness level where the patient can repeat half of the words correctly is considered their SRT.
- Word Recognition Score (WRS): The patient is asked to repeat words, usually presented at a comfortable loudness level. The percentage of correctly repeated words determines their word recognition score.
Practical Insights:
- The SRT should be similar to the average hearing threshold determined in pure-tone audiometry.
- A low WRS, despite a relatively normal SRT, indicates difficulties in understanding speech.
- The testing environment needs to be quiet to ensure accurate results.
