Can Videoconferencing Be a Viable Method to Measure Speech Perception?

Abstract

Purpose: Telehealth has proven effective for service delivery to remote and rural locations and was helpful during lockdowns when patients were unable to see clinicians in person. To assure the reliability of clinical services, the aim of the present study was to evaluate a telehealth protocol to measure speech perception skills through virtual meeting applications such as Zoom. Method: A total of 20 participants with normal hearing and cognition participated in the study. Participants' speech perception performance was measured in two sessions: one over a Zoom call and one in person in the laboratory. Speech perception was measured using Quick Speech-in-Noise Test, Bamford–Kowal–Bench Speech-in-Noise Test, and Words-in-Noise Test. Results: Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between speech perception scores obtained over the Zoom and in-person methodologies for any of the tests. Additionally, our study found no significant difference in the scores obtained between wired and wireless headphones during Zoom calls. Conclusion: These results suggest that Zoom can be used as a reliable method to measure speech perception in young individuals with normal hearing using these three tests in situations where conventional methods cannot be utilized.