Digits-in-noise test in Brazilian Portuguese: how demographic and socioeconomic variables influence normal-hearing...

Verify how demographic and socioeconomic variables on the in-noise speech recognition threshold (SRT) from the digits-in-noise test (DIN) in Brazilian Portuguese influence normal-hearing subjects.

Cross-sectional, prospective study. The convenience sample had 151 normal-hearing subjects between 12 and 79 years (mean=34.66) who underwent pure tone audiometry and digits-in-noise test with white noise using a sequence of three numbers in diotic stimulus (in-phase) on the same day. The DIN was performed using a Motorola Z3 Play smartphone with internet access and in-ear headphones. In-noise digit speech recognition threshold (SRT) was analyzed for gender, age, educational levels, and socioeconomic status. We used the non-parametric version of the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests to compare independent samples adopting a significance level of 5%.

The mean SRT was -8.47 dBNA (SD -3.89) with a median of -9.6 dBNA. The SRT was proportionally inverse to educational levels and socioeconomic status and more negative (better) with lower age groups. Gender did not influence the DIN SRT.

Age, educational levels, and socioeconomic status influenced the DIN threshold. These variables must be considered when analyzing DIN performance in Brazilian Portuguese in normal-hearing subjects.