[Speech tests: application in individuals with noise induced hearing loss].
BACKGROUND
Speech intelligibility.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate speech recognition in individuals with noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).


METHODS
79 adults were divided in two groups: a control group with 39 individuals with hearing limits up to 25 dB, and a research group with 40 individuals with audiometric configuration and occupational history suggesting NIHL. The following tests were used with all individuals: Speech Recognition Test, dichotic test Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW) and Speech in Noise Test (signal/noise ratio of +5 and -5 dB with ipsilateral white noise).


RESULTS
The Speech Recognition Test and the SSW are not or little useful to discriminate between individuals with NIHL and those with normal hearing.


CONCLUSIONS
The Speech in Noise Test can be sensitive in the identification of the hearing alterations presented by individuals with NIHL.
Moreira
Renata Rodrigues
RR
Setor de Audiologia do Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo. re.moreira@uol.com.br
Ferreira Junior
Mario
M
D001302:Audiometry, Speech / Q000592:standards*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004007:Dichotic Listening Tests / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010470:Perceptual Masking / Q000502:physiology; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology