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The performance-perceptual test and its relationship to unaided reported handicap
Gabrielle H Saunders1, Anna Forsline, Stephen A Fausti
1The National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland, Oregon 97207, USA. Gabrielle.Saunders@med.va.gov
Ear and Hearing
|April 6, 2004
Summary
The new Performance-Perceptual Test (PPT) accurately measures hearing ability and self-assessment, revealing that underestimation of hearing loss and younger age correlate with greater reported handicap. This tool aids in understanding hearing difficulties and patient counseling.
Area of Science:
- Audiology and Hearing Science
- Psychophysics of Hearing
- Clinical Measurement
Background:
- Assessing hearing aid outcomes is crucial for treatment efficacy, payment, and cost-benefit analyses.
- Traditional outcome measures, like questionnaires and speech recognition tests, often yield conflicting results.
- A need exists for a unified measure combining subjective and objective hearing assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce and evaluate the Performance-Perceptual Test (PPT) for measuring hearing in noise.
- Assess the relationship between objective performance (Performance SRTN) and subjective perception (Perceptual SRTN).
- Investigate the Performance-Perceptual Discrepancy (PPDIS) as a measure of self-assessment accuracy.
Main Methods:
- One hundred seven participants (33 normal hearing, 74 with sensorineural hearing loss) were tested.
- The PPT measured Performance Speech Reception Threshold (SRTN) and Perceptual SRTN using Hearing In Noise Test materials.
- The Performance-Perceptual Discrepancy (PPDIS) was calculated, and Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly/Adults was administered.
Main Results:
- Normal hearing subjects had significantly better Performance and Perceptual SRTNs than impaired hearing subjects.
- PPDIS did not differ between hearing groups, indicating consistent self-assessment accuracy across hearing levels.
- Performance SRTN, PPDIS, and age explained 40% of the variance in reported handicap; poorer performance, underestimation, and younger age led to higher handicap scores.
Conclusions:
- Reported hearing handicap comprises both performance and perception components, measured by SRTN and PPDIS.
- The PPT is a valuable tool for understanding discrepancies between reported and measured hearing difficulties.
- The PPT offers an explanatory and counseling resource for patients experiencing a mismatch in their hearing experiences.