[Equivalence analysis of disyllabic Mandarin speech test materials]

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Speech Science
• Linguistics

Background:

• Speech audiometry is crucial for hearing assessments.
• Standardized speech test materials are essential for accurate and reproducible audiological evaluations.
• The Mandarin disyllabic Speech Test Materials (MSTM) were developed to meet this need in Chinese audiology clinics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the equivalence of difficulty among disyllabic Mandarin Speech Test Materials (MSTM).
• To facilitate the wider adoption and consistent application of speech audiometry in Chinese audiology settings.

Main Methods:

• Ten lists, each containing 50 Mandarin disyllabic words, were digitally recorded and compiled onto CDs.
• A pilot study with five normal-hearing Mandarin speakers identified the optimal presentation level.
• A formal speech perception test was conducted with sixty normal-hearing Mandarin speakers (aged 18-25).
• Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 11.0, employing ANOVA and SNK-Q methods.

Main Results:

• Analysis revealed that nine out of the ten MSTM lists exhibit equivalent difficulty.
• Statistical methods, including ANOVA and SNK-Q, confirmed the homogeneity of difficulty across these nine lists.

Conclusions:

• Nine of the ten Mandarin disyllabic Speech Test Materials (MSTM) lists are validated as having equal difficulty.
• These validated MSTM lists are suitable for clinical application in speech audiometry within Chinese audiology practices.