The word-with-noise test: development, validation and reference values

Abstract

Purpose To propose an instrument for assessing speech recognition in the presence of competing noise. To define its application strategy for use in clinical practice. To obtain evidence of criterion validity and present reference values. Methods The study was conducted in three stages: Organization of the material comprising the Word-with-Noise Test (Stage 1); Definition of the instrument's application strategy (Stage 2); Investigation of criterion validity and definition of reference values for the test (Stage 3) through the evaluation of 50 normal-hearing adult subjects and 12 subjects with hearing loss. Results The Word-with-Noise Test consists of lists of monosyllabic and disyllabic words and speech spectrum noise (Stage 1). The application strategy for the test was defined as the determination of the Speech Recognition Threshold with a fixed noise level at 55 dBHL (Stage 2). Regarding criterion validity, the instrument demonstrated adequate ability to distinguish between normal-hearing subjects and subjects with hearing loss (Stage 3). Reference values for the test were established as cut-off points expressed in terms of signal-to-noise ratio: 1.47 dB for the monosyllabic stimulus and -2.02 dB for the disyllabic stimulus. Conclusion: The Word-with-Noise Test proved to be quick to administer and interpret, making it a useful tool in audiological clinical practice. Furthermore, it showed satisfactory evidence of criterion validity, with established reference values.