SPIN test performance of elderly hearing-impaired listeners

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Speech Perception
• Gerontology

Background:

• Normative data exists for the revised Speech Perception in Noise (SPIN) test, primarily for individuals aged 19-69 with sensorineural hearing loss.
• The original normative sample included 79% of participants under 65 years old, potentially limiting applicability to very elderly populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of elderly, hearing-impaired listeners on the revised Speech Perception in Noise (SPIN) test.
• To compare the SPIN test performance of elderly individuals (60-78 years) with existing normative data.
• To investigate the utilization of contextual cues in high-predictability (PH) and low-predictability (PL) sentences by elderly listeners.

Main Methods:

• Administered the revised Speech Perception in Noise (SPIN) test to 98 elderly, hearing-impaired listeners (aged 60-78 years).
• Collected SPIN scores from both ears of all participants.
• Analyzed performance separately for High-Predictability (PH) and Low-Predictability (PL) items.

Main Results:

• The mean performance of the elderly sample on both PH and PL items was comparable to the original normative sample.
• A significant subset (18%) of elderly participants did not effectively utilize contextual cues in PH sentences as predicted by normative guidelines.
• This suggests a potential age-related decline in the ability to leverage contextual information for speech understanding in noise.

Conclusions:

• While overall speech perception in noise is maintained in elderly hearing-impaired individuals, the ability to use contextual cues may be compromised.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering age-specific processing differences when interpreting SPIN test results for older adults.
• Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind the reduced use of contextual cues in this population.