Hearing thresholds as predictors of speech production performance

A study was made of the relationship between pure-tone thresholds (500, 1000, and 2000 Hz) and teacher-rated speech production performance (SPP) of 214 students with hearing losses of 56 dB or greater in three different types of educational setting in Israel. Correlation coefficients of speech production performance (SPP) with the thresholds at 2000 Hz were found to be higher than with the other threshold measures, 500 and 1000 Hz, and vs. the better ear average. Similar results were found within each of the three educational settings and when multiple regression analyses were performed. It was concluded that hearing threshold at 2000 Hz was the best predictor of SPP. These results are discussed in the light of previous studies and suggestions for further research are made.