The Relationship between Speech Perception in Quiet and in Noise for Young Adults with Pure-Tone Thresholds ≤ 25 dB HL

Abstract

Abstract Background The standard audiological protocol utilizes quiet measures. However, it has been noted that speech recognition in noise (SRN) testing provides information that cannot be inferred from quiet measures. Purpose The purpose of this convergent validity study was to investigate the relationships between behavioral responses in quiet and in noise. Research Design Bilateral pure-tone averages (BPTA) were calculated for thresholds from 500 to 6000 Hz. The Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) thresholds in quiet (HINT-Q) were also measured. SRN performances were determined using the HINT Noise Front (HINT-F) condition and the AzBio test. The HINT-F uses steady-state speech-shaped noise and the AzBio uses a 10-talker babble. All conditions were randomized. Study Sample Fifty young, native English-speaking females with pure-tone thresholds less than or equal to 25 dB HL participated in this study. The average age of the participants was 20.5 years (standard deviation = 1.47). Data Collection and Analysis Pearson correlation coefficients were used to quantify the relationships between all measures. Results Statistically significant relationships were found between HINT-Q thresholds versus BPTA (0.5–6.0 kHz) (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) and between HINT-F thresholds versus AzBio (0 dB signal-to-noise ratio) scores (r = -0.41, p < 0.05). No significant relationships were found between any of the quiet versus noise measures. Conclusion These results suggest that, for individuals with pure-tone thresholds less than or equal to 25 dB HL, SRN ability must be measured directly and not inferred from PTA or speech-in-quiet measures. It is possible, to a modest degree, to predict AzBio performances from the HINT-F thresholds, and vice versa.