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Performance of elderly in a speech in noise test
Lucila Leal Calais1, Ieda Chaves Pacheco Russo, Alda Christina Lopes de Carvalho Borges
1Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. calais@ig.com.br
Pro-Fono : Revista De Atualizacao Cientifica
|October 15, 2008
Summary
Background noise significantly impairs speech perception in elderly individuals, especially those with hearing loss. This study evaluated hearing abilities with and without noise, confirming noise is disadvantageous for all older adults.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Gerontology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Investigating age-related changes in speech perception.
- Assessing auditory function in silence and noisy environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and compare elderly hearing abilities using monaural speech perception tests.
- Evaluate performance with and without background noise (Speech Discrimination Test - SDT and Speech Perception in Noise - SPIN).
Main Methods:
- Study included 55 participants aged 60+.
- Divided into Control Group (no hearing loss) and Study Group (sensorineural hearing loss).
- Utilized the Speech Perception in Noise (SPIN) test in silence and with competing speech noise.
Main Results:
- No gender differences in SDT or SPIN test performance.
- Age correlated with SDT performance only in the hearing-impaired group.
- Significant performance differences between groups in both tests, with noise negatively impacting both.
Conclusions:
- Background noise is disadvantageous for speech perception in the elderly.
- Hearing loss exacerbates the negative impact of noise on speech perception.
