Northwestern University Auditory Test No. 6: normative and comparative intelligibility functions

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Hearing Science

Background:

• The Northwestern University Auditory Test No. 6 (N.U. No. 6) is a standard tool for speech intelligibility assessment.
• Evaluating commercially available recordings ensures consistency and reliability in clinical audiological testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the interlist equivalence of the Auditec recording of the N.U. No. 6.
• To develop normative speech intelligibility functions for the Auditec N.U. No. 6.
• To compare the intelligibility functions of the Auditec and original Northwestern versions of the N.U. No. 6 in listeners with normal and impaired hearing.

Main Methods:

• Four studies were conducted to evaluate the Auditec recording of the N.U. No. 6.
• Interlist equivalence was tested, followed by the development of normative intelligibility functions using normal-hearing listeners.
• Intelligibility functions were derived for both Auditec and original Northwestern versions using normal-hearing and sensorineural hearing-impaired listeners.

Main Results:

• The Auditec version of the N.U. No. 6 demonstrated good interlist equivalence.
• Normative intelligibility functions were successfully developed for the Auditec recording.
• Comparative analysis revealed differences between the Auditec and Northwestern versions' intelligibility functions.

Conclusions:

• The Auditec recording of the N.U. No. 6 is considered reliable due to its good interlist equivalence.
• While distinct differences exist between the two versions, they are deemed clinically equivalent for practical audiological applications.
• The findings support the use of the Auditec recording in clinical settings for speech intelligibility testing.