Integrated speech audiometry: objective and subjective performance of elderly listeners

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Gerontology
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Hearing impairment is prevalent in older adults.
• Standard speech audiometry protocols may require adaptation for this population.
• The Punch and Rakerd (2019) protocol offers an integrated approach using spondaic words.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the ecological validity of the Punch and Rakerd (2019) speech audiometry protocol.
• To evaluate the protocol's implementation in older adults with hearing impairment.
• To examine the clinical acceptability and participant experience of an automated speech audiometry protocol.

Main Methods:

• The study involved 12 older adults with sensorineural hearing loss.
• An integrated speech audiometry protocol was administered, measuring speech recognition threshold (SRT), most comfortable loudness (MCL), and uncomfortable loudness (UCL).
• Stimulus presentation, response collection, and test timing were automated, followed by a subjective questionnaire.

Main Results:

• SRT measurements correlated well with pure-tone averages.
• MCL and UCL values aligned with established data for similar hearing loss.
• Bilateral testing averaged 13.1 minutes, with highly positive participant feedback.

Conclusions:

• The automated, integrated speech audiometry protocol is ecologically valid for older adults with sensorineural hearing loss.
• The protocol produces clinically acceptable results in this demographic.
• Automated testing enhances efficiency and user experience in audiological assessments.