AzBio Sentence test in Hebrew (HeBio): development, preliminary validation, and the effect of noise.

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• The AzBio sentence test is a standard for assessing speech perception, particularly for cochlear implant (CI) users.
• A validated Hebrew version is needed to evaluate speech understanding in the Hebrew-speaking population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create and validate a Hebrew version of the AzBio sentence test (HeBio).
• To assess the intelligibility of HeBio for normal-hearing (NH) listeners and CI users in quiet and various noise conditions.

Main Methods:

• Developed 33 Hebrew AzBio (HeBio) sentence lists.
• Tested intelligibility with NH listeners and post-lingual CI users using vocoded sentences, single-syllable words, and background noise (four-talker babble, speech-shaped noise) at varying SNRs.

Main Results:

• HeBio lists yielded 82% average understanding with no significant inter-list differences in NH listeners.
• CI users showed comparable intelligibility for HeBio in quiet and noise.
• Speech-shaped noise resulted in higher intelligibility than four-talker babble noise.

Conclusions:

• The Hebrew AzBio (HeBio) sentence test is a reliable and valid tool for assessing speech perception.
• HeBio is suitable for evaluating diverse populations, including CI users, in both quiet and noisy environments.
• Results align with the original AzBio test, confirming its utility.