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Age-related changes in monosyllabic word recognition performance when audibility is held constant
G A Studebaker1, R L Sherbecoe, D M McDaniel
1School of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Older adults, especially those over 80, show reduced monosyllabic word recognition. This age-related decline in auditory performance is not due to audibility but may require score adjustments.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Gerontology
- Speech Perception
Background:
- Age-related hearing loss is common.
- Understanding its impact on speech recognition is crucial for audiological management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate monosyllabic word recognition across a wide age range.
- To determine the influence of age on speech perception.
- To propose age-correction strategies for word recognition scores.
Main Methods:
- 140 subjects aged 20-90 years were tested.
- Bandpass-filtered Northwestern University Auditory Test No. 6 (NU-6) word lists were used.
- Fixed audibility was maintained via constant signal-to-noise ratio and limited threshold losses.
Main Results:
- Word recognition was stable until age 70.
- Scores declined modestly in the 70-80 age group.
- Significantly lower scores were observed in subjects over 80 years.
- No age differences in learning or test-retest reliability were found.
- Performance decline in older adults was independent of speech audibility.
Conclusions:
- Age significantly impacts monosyllabic word recognition, particularly after 70.
- The decline is not solely attributable to reduced audibility.
- A strategy for age-correcting word recognition scores is proposed.