Speech Discrimination in Noise

Abstract

The linear portion of the articulation function in noise was investigated using 16 normal-hearing and 15 sensorineural-impaired subjects. NU Auditory Test No. 6 was presented in cafeteria noise at signal-to-noise ratios of 4, 8, and 12 dB. Although the sensorineural group had poorer means, the slopes for the two groups were not significantly different, 3.57% per dB for normals and 3.47% per dB for sensorineurals. The wide range of variability demonstrated by both groups indicates the importance of determining a patient’s discrimination potential in noise.