title: Does Language Matter When Using a Graphical Method for Calculating the Speech Intelligibility Index?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Graphical methods for calculating the speech intelligibility index (SII), such as the count-the-dot audiogram, are useful tools in quantifying how much weighted audibility is restored when amplification is used for individuals with hearing loss. The band-importance function (BIF), which is an important component of the SII, depends on the language. Thus, language may affect the prediction of weighted audibility using the graphical SII.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to apply language-specific BIFs to develop and compare graphical SIIs for English, Korean, and Mandarin.
  
  
  METHODS
  The graphical SIIs were developed and compared using a research design that applied and analyzed existing datasets.
  
  
  METHODS
  Language-specific BIFs and dynamic ranges were used to derive graphical SIIs for English, Korean, and Mandarin. SII predictions were compared by calculating the language-specific predictions for the same audiometric configurations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The graphical SIIs for English, Korean, and Mandarin yielded different unaided and aided predictions for the same audiogram configurations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A graphical SII helps patients easily understand their weighted audibility for unaided and aided conditions; thus, it is a useful counseling tool in the clinic. The most accurate graphical SII's will, however, be based on a patient's spoken language.
authors.affiliation: Division of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Research Institute of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: In-Ki
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kates
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.
authors.forename: Kathryn H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Arehart
mesh_terms: D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone / Q000379:methods; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013065:Speech Intelligibility / Q000502:physiology*