What is Speech Audiometry?
Puretone Audiometry allows us to evaluate the softest sound one can detect but it does not provide any information about one’s ability to hear and understand speech. Hearing test using speech stimulus will help to find out the person ability to hear and understand speech and this test is called Speech Audiometry.
Speech test helps in different aspects:
- To cross check the puretone hearing thresholds
- Help in hearing aid selection
- To assess the suitability of various implant solutions such as
- Cochlear implant
- Bone Anchored Hearing Aid
- Middle Ear Implant - Help in identifying functional hearing loss.
How is speech test being performed?
The test is performed by a qualified Audiologist with the patient seated in a calibrated, soundproof room. Live or recorded speech stimulus can be delivered through either headphone or speaker. Patient is required to repeat the speech stimulus they hear.
There are two different speech tests:
SRT: Speech Reception Threshold
This test help to determine the lowest level a patient can hear and repeat two syllable words at 50% of the time.
SDT: Speech Discrimination Test
This is to determine the speech discrimination ability of an individual. The test is done at supra threshold level (about 25 to 30 dB above SRT) and is calculated in terms of percentage:
Number of positive response
———————————————————- x 100%
Total number of speech stimulus presented
