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An Automated System for Sound Localization Testing in Hearing-Impaired Listeners
Published on: March 13, 2026
The Revised Speech Perception in Noise Test (R-SPIN) in a multiple signal-to-noise ratio paradigm.
Richard H Wilson1, Rachel McArdle, Kelly L Watts
1VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|September 13, 2012
Summary
The Revised Speech Perception in Noise Test (R-SPIN) can be adapted for multiple signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Further research is needed to refine lists for optimal use with hearing-impaired individuals.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- The Revised Speech Perception in Noise Test (R-SPIN) traditionally uses a single signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 8 dB.
- It comprises 200 low-predictability (LP) and 200 high-predictability (HP) sentences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of modifying the R-SPIN into a multiple SNR paradigm.
- To enable calculation of 50% performance points for HP and LP sentences.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments were conducted with 40 normal-hearing and 184 hearing-impaired listeners.
- R-SPIN sentences were digitally edited to create a range of SNRs (-1 to 23 dB).
- Listener responses were analyzed at the token level.
Main Results:
- Normal-hearing listeners outperformed those with hearing loss.
- HP sentences yielded better performance than LP sentences for both groups.
- While psychometric functions were approximated, some irregularities and list pair bisecting occurred.
Conclusions:
- The R-SPIN can be adapted to a multiple SNR format.
- Further investigation is required to develop systematic and equivalent lists for hearing-impaired listeners.
- Maintaining synchrony between speech and babble is crucial.
