speech audiometry
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dynamics of speech
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the diagnostic audiometer
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test environment
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patient’s and clinician’s role
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speech-threshold testing
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most comfortable loudness and uncomfortable
loudness
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speech-recognition testing
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audibility index
dynamics of speech
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intensity
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frequency
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suprasegmentals
dynamics of speech
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intensity
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whisper - 20 dB HL
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normal conversational speech - 50 to 60 dB
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loud speech - 70 dB
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shouting - 90 dB
dynamics of speech
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frequency
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about 250 to 8000 Hz
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most important speech sounds - 500 through 6000
Hz
dynamics of speech
Dynamics of Specific Speech Sounds
Class
Intensity
Frequency
Vowels
High
Low
Nasals
Low
Low
Stops
Varies
Mid-high
Fricatives
Low
High
F2 transitions
Varies
Mid-high
dynamics of speech
dynamics of speech
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suprasegmentals are those aspects of speech not
attributable to specific speech sounds
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these include ...
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stress
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duration
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pitch
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juncture
equipment
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input transducer
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VU meter and amplifier
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attenuator (hearing level dial)
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output transducer
test environment
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normally sound treated booth - mandatory for mlv
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recommend CDs whenever possible
patient’s and clinician’s
role
•
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patient must understand the speech stimuli
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open set - repeat words/phrases or write it down
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closed set - multiple choice check-off or picture
pointing
clinician must make sure that stimuli is presented
properly
speech thresholds
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speech awareness (aka speech detection) threshold
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speech-recognition threshold (SRT) - lowest intensity
where 50% of spondees correctly identified
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purpose of SRT
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stimuli - spondees
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procedures
MCL & UCL
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most comfortable loudness level (MCL)
•
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found about midway between SRT and UCL
uncomfortable loudness level
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normally between 85 and 105 dB (even for those w/
sensorineural hearing loss)
speech-recognition testing
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purpose
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stimuli
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monosyllabic word lists - W-22, NU-6, high
frequency lists, etc.
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syllables and sentences - nonsense syllables,
SPIN, CID everyday sentences, etc.
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pictures - WIPI, NU-CHIPS, etc.
speech audiometry
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example of nu-6 word list
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50 monosyllabic, phonemically balanced words
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stimuli
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base, mess, cause, mop, good, luck, walk,
youth, etc.
speech audiometry
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example of the word intelligibility by picture
identification (WIPI).
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25 monosyllabic words - appropriate for children 4 to 6.
audibility index
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description
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ratio or percentage
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high frequencies (e.g., 2kHz) more heavily weighted.
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correlates with hearing handicap
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how is it determined?
summary