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Articulation index and hearing handicap
L M Holcomb1, M A Nerbonne, D F Konkle
1Audiology Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|April 28, 2000
Summary
This study found a link between hearing loss severity and perceived communication difficulties. Degree of hearing loss significantly impacted the relationship between the Articulation Index and hearing handicap.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
- Communication Sciences and Disorders
Background:
- Perceived hearing handicap significantly impacts quality of life.
- The Articulation Index (AI) is an objective measure of speech intelligibility.
- Understanding the relationship between objective and subjective measures of hearing loss is crucial for effective audiological rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between perceived hearing handicap and the Articulation Index (AI).
- To determine the influence of age, gender, degree of hearing loss, and audiometric slope on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 373 patient files.
- Data extracted included age, gender, pure-tone thresholds, Self-Assessment of Communication (SAC), and Significant Other Assessment of Communication (SOAC) scores.
- Correlation and partial correlation analyses were employed.
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation was found between AI values and both SAC and SOAC scores.
- SAC and SOAC scores were significantly correlated with each other.
- Degree of hearing loss was the primary variable influencing the AI/hearing handicap correlation.
Conclusions:
- The Articulation Index is a valuable tool for assessing hearing handicap.
- Degree of hearing loss is a critical factor in the relationship between objective speech intelligibility measures and subjective communication difficulties.
- Audiological management should consider both objective and subjective measures of hearing impairment.