Time-compressed speech test in Brazilian Portuguese

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Psychoacoustics

Background:

• The time-compressed speech test, a tool for evaluating auditory closure, has been available since the 1970s.
• Its application in Brazil was limited due to the lack of a Portuguese version until recently.
• Developing a culturally adapted test is crucial for audiological diagnostics in Brazil.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a time-compressed speech test in Portuguese.
• To administer this test to adults with normal hearing.
• To determine the optimal compression percentage (50%, 60%, or 70%) for auditory processing evaluations.

Main Methods:

• 144 normal-hearing adults participated in the study.
• Tests included monosyllabic and disyllabic word lists at 50%, 60%, and 70% compression.
• Results were analyzed based on ear, presentation order, and word type.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found between ears.
• The presentation order of 50%, 60%, 70% compression yielded better results than 70%, 60%, 50%.
• Monosyllabic lists showed significantly different results compared to disyllabic lists (P <.001).
• Increasing compression levels decreased the average correct responses for both word types.

Conclusions:

• Monosyllabic and disyllabic lists at 60% compression demonstrated the highest stability.
• An average of approximately 90% correct responses was observed at 60% compression.
• The 60% compression level is recommended for auditory processing test batteries.