title: Some effects of multiple sclerosis on speech perception in noise: Preliminary findings.
abstract: The present investigation examined speech perception in noise of adults with and without multiple sclerosis (MS). Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) sentences were presented at a constant level of 65 dBA L(eq) (equivalent continuous noise level [4 dB exchange rate]) from a loudspeaker located at 0-degree horizontal azimuth and 1.2 m from the study participant. Uncorrelated multitalker babble was presented from four loudspeakers positioned at 45-, 135-, 225-, and 315-degree azimuths and 1.7 m from the study participant. The starting presentation level for the babble was 55 dBA L(eq). The level of the babble was increased systematically in 1 dB steps until the subject obtained 0% key words correct on the IEEE sentences. Results revealed a significant difference in speech perception between the two groups at nine signal-to-noise ratios. Some clinical implications of these results are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland VA Medical Center (VAMC), Portland, OR 97207, USA. Michele.Lewis3@med.va.gov
authors.forename: M Samantha
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lilly
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hutter
authors.forename: Dennis N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Bourdette
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Fausti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001299:Audiometry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D009622:Noise; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013067:Speech Perception; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs