Cost-benefit analysis of two decision criteria for spondee threshold measurements

Normal-hearing subjects were tested and retested using two spondee threshold criteria: a strict 50 percent correct rule and a 50 percent or 75 percent correct (or both) rule. The 50 percent criterion produced lower thresholds at the cost of poorer test-retest reliability and longer test durations. Both decision rules gave lower threshold SPL values and required less testing time during the second trial. A proposed benefit-cost ratio model indicated that the 50 percent or 75 percent (or both) decision rule gives a better return on the investment of clinical effort.