Effects of audiometric configuration on speech-band thresholds in sensorineural hearing loss subjects

Pure-tone and speech-band thresholds were compared for adults with varying degrees of sensorineural hearing impairments. The results demonstrated that the speech-band stimuli underestimated the degree of hearing loss in the high frequencies (2000 to 4000 HZ) for individuals with sloping audiometric configuration. Probable reasons for the threshold discrepancies and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.