Binaural Sound Field Presentation of the QuickSIN: Equivalency across Lists and Signal-to-Noise Ratios
Open Access
Author:
Sklaney, Suzanne E
Graduate Program:
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Degree:
Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type:
Dissertation
Date of Defense:
June 29, 2006
Committee Members:
Thomas A Frank, Committee Chair/Co-Chair Ingrid Maria Blood, Committee Member Robert Anthony Prosek, Committee Member Lisa M Conyers, Committee Member
Keywords:
speech audiometry speech-in-noise
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 12 standard test lists of the Quick Speech-in-Noise test (QuickSIN) for equivalency of across list and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and for test-retest reliability for binaural soundfield listening. The results of the QuickSIN were compared with word recognition scores for Northwestern University No. 6 (NU-6) word Lists 1A and 2A presented in the QuickSIN babble. Further, the relation between the QuickSIN results and the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) scores were evaluated.
Two groups of adults (N = 36 per group), with normal hearing sensitivity (NH) and with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing impairment (HI), participated in a test and retest session separated by one to two weeks. Each participant completed the APHAB, received the 12 QuickSIN standard test lists in counterbalanced order, and the NU-6 List 1A (test) and 2A (retest) in the QuickSIN babble at a SNR based on the participant’s mean QuickSIN SNR-50 score for the session.
Seven of the 12 QuickSIN standard test lists (Lists 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12) maintained equivalency across group and test session and resulted in a mean SNR-50 score of 2.7 dB (SD = 1.6 dB) for the NH and 5.5 dB (SD = 3.1) for the HI group. Mean NU-6 scores were 35 rau and could not be predicted by the presentation SNR. Low non-significant correlations were found between the QuickSIN SNR-50 scores and the APHAB results.