A Critique of Continuous Discourse Tracking as a Test Procedure

Abstract

Continuous discourse tracking is a versatile aural rehabilitation procedure. However, it is frequently used as a test instrument to evaluate the effectiveness of communication aids and aural rehabilitation strategies or to compare communication performance using auditory and/or visual stimuli. In this report, shortcomings of this practice are reviewed. Continuous discourse tracking has numerous uncontrolled variables related to the sender (i.e., the tester), the receiver (i.e., the subject), the text materials, and repeated presentations. We suggest that tracking is inappropriate for across-subject designs. For within-subject test designs, stringent guidelines are offered to minimize some of the problems. Test developers should focus their future efforts on devising a test that reflects a natural communication interaction--one that engages the subject in a conversational style of listening.