The ability to hear speech is a function of the both your ability to detect and understand the sounds of speech. The range of audible sounds, not just the degree of hearing loss, varies considerably from person to person. Unfortunately, when hearing is damaged it is usually not just the volume of sound heard that is lost, often the quality of the sound is also distorted.
Speech tests are used to determine how clearly someone can understand speech, when visible cues such as lip-reading are removed. They usually involve using common lists of words played (or spoken) at a constant volume that are appropriate to the client’s hearing loss. The client responds by guessing the word that was spoken and correct and incorrect answers are tallied.
Speech-in-Noise Tests
Given that people with hearing loss commonly have the greatest difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background noise; it makes sense that speech discrimination tests are also performed with the addition of a “noise” stimulus. This is often a ‘speech babble’ played at different volumes relative the speech volume (words or phrases). The client responds by guessing the word or phrase that was spoken in the presence of background noise, and results are tallied.
Aided Vs Unaided Tests
Following the fitting of a hearing device, an Audiologist will run the tests again to compare how their client is able to perform in the speech discrimination tests with the benefit of a hearing aid compared to when they are not wearing a hearing aid.
