Relative intelligibility of the revised CID W-1s as presented via MLV and auditec recordings

The relative intelligibility of the revised CID W-1 spondaic word list, as developed and recommended for clinical use by ASHA, was evaluated in two experiments. In Experiment 1, the revised W-1s were presented via monitored live voice to 25 subjects with normal hearing. Mean minimum recognition levels for each of the 36 spondees varied between 16.8 and 25.2 dB SPL, a range of 8.4 dB. In Experiment 2, the Auditec recordings of the revised W-1s were presented to a different group of 20 subjects with normal hearing. Mean minimum recognition values for the individual spondees varied between 18.1 and 30.6 dB SPL, a range of 12.5 dB. Thus, the homogeneity of audibility for the revised W-1s is no better than has been noted in the past for the original W-1s and, in the case of the Auditec recording, is considerably worse. A reduced list of spondees with improved homogeneity of audibility is recommended for clinical use.