Development of Mandarin monosyllabic speech test materials in China

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Speech Science
• Linguistics

Background:

• Accurate speech audiometry is crucial for diagnosing hearing loss.
• Existing Mandarin speech materials may lack standardization for clinical use.
• Development of culturally relevant and phonetically balanced test materials is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate monosyllabic Mandarin speech test materials (MSTMs) for word recognition testing in Chinese audiology clinics.
• To ensure inter-list equivalence in difficulty for standardized speech audiometry.
• To evaluate the reliability and validity of the developed MSTMs for clinical application.

Main Methods:

• Designed high-familiarity, phonologically balanced Mandarin monosyllabic words.
• Digitally recorded materials using a male voice.
• Evaluated inter-list equivalence using 60 normal-hearing young adults.
• Measured performance-intensity (PI) functions in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired groups.

Main Results:

• Seven equivalent lists of 50 monosyllabic words each were established.
• Mean performance-intensity (PI) function slopes were 4.1%/dB for normal hearing and 2.7%/dB for mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss.
• The MSTMs demonstrated sufficient reliability and validity.

Conclusions:

• The developed Mandarin monosyllabic speech test materials are suitable for clinical use in speech audiometry.
• These materials provide a reliable and valid tool for assessing word recognition in Mandarin-speaking populations.
• Standardized MSTMs can improve the accuracy and consistency of hearing assessments in Chinese audiology settings.