The influence of hearing and age on speech recognition scores in noise in audiological patients and in the general population.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the influence of pure-tone audiometry and age on the speech recognition score in noise, both in audiological patients and also in a random population sample.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, speech recognition scores (SRS) using monosyllabic words presented in a fixed background noise were evaluated on 1895 audiological patients of both genders with normal hearing or sensorineural hearing losses. The background noise was speech weighted and presented with a signal to noise ratio of +4 dB. In 291 participants, SRS in quiet was estimated as well. A female random population sample also was tested (N = 513).


RESULTS
The major predictor for the SRS-noise was high-frequency hearing thresholds. If hearing was normal, age had no effect on speech recognition. Young persons with hearing loss had higher SRS-noise than older persons with the same degree of hearing loss. The difference between young and old persons became larger the greater the hearing loss. Predictive SRS-noise with consideration taken to hearing function and age are presented. SRS-noise correlated stronger with pure-tone audiometry and age than SRS-quiet. Controls performed better (by 10 to 20%) than their same-aged peers with similar hearing loss.


CONCLUSIONS
It is recommended that speech recognition tests be performed in background noise. SRS-noise is a valuable tool for audiologists and audiological physicians to identify patients in need of pedagogic rehabilitation programs or further diagnostic investigations.
Barrenäs
M L
ML
Department of Audiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Wikström
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013069:Speech Reception Threshold Test