title: Frequency compression and its effects in speech recognition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  frequency compression.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the index of speech recognition (IPRF) using frequency compression in three different ratios.
  
  
  METHODS
  monosyllabic words were recorded using an algorithm of frequency compression in three ratios: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, generating three lists of words. Eighteen listeners accomplished the IPRF using the modified words. They were subdivided in two groups, considering familiarity with the speech material: group of audiologists (F) and group of patients (P).
  
  
  RESULTS
  a statistically significant decrease in accuracy was observed when using frequency compression. Group F presented a better performance than Group P in all of the applied ratio frequency compression ratios.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frequency compression hinders speech recognition; as the compression ratio increases, so does the level of difficulty. Familiarity with the words facilitates recognition in any hearing condition.
authors.affiliation: do Hospital das Clínicas - Universidade Federal Minas Gerais. lepcosta@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Letícia Pimenta Costa Spyer
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Prates
authors.forename: Francisco José Fraga da
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Maria Cecília Martinelli
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Iório
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010700:Phonetics; D012016:Reference Values; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013069:Speech Reception Threshold Test / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult