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. 2016 Dec;36(6):506-512.
doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-1133.

Development of a novel Italian speech-in-noise test using a roving-level adaptive method: adult population-based normative data

P Canzi  1 , M Manfrin  1 , G Locatelli  1 , P Nopp  2 , M Perotti  3 , M Benazzo  1
Affiliations

Development of a novel Italian speech-in-noise test using a roving-level adaptive method: adult population-based normative data

P Canzi et al. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2016 Dec.

Abstract
in English, Italian

In recent years the increasing development of hearing devices has led to a critical analysis of the standard methods employed to evaluate hearing function. Being too far from reality, conventional investigation of hearing loss based on pure-tone threshold audiometry and on mono/disyllabic word lists, presented in quiet conditions, has been shown to be inadequate. A speech-in-noise test using a roving-level adaptive method employs target and competing signals varying in level in order to reproduce everyday life speaking conditions and explore a more complete sound range. Up to now, only few roving-level adaptive tests have been published in the literature. We conducted a rovinglevel adaptive test in healthy Italian adults to produce new normative data on a language of Latin origin.

Negli ultimi anni, il crescente sviluppo di dispositivi acustici ha condotto a un’analisi critica dei metodi standard che sono stati impiegati per valutare la funzione uditiva. Gli esami audiologici tradizionali, basati sulla soglia audiometrica tonale e sulle liste di parole mono/ bisillabiche nel silenzio, si sono nel tempo dimostrati inadeguati perché troppo distanti dalla realtà. Un test audiometrico vocale nel rumore, che utilizza un metodo “roving-level” adattivo, adopera segnali target e segnali competitivi modificabili con lo scopo di riprodurre le condizioni di eloquio della vita quotidiana, quindi esplorare un più ampio range uditivo. A oggi, solamente pochi test “roving-level” adattivi sono disponibili in letteratura. Gli autori hanno condotto un test “roving-level” adattivo in adulti italiani sani, al fine di ottenere nuovi dati normativi in una lingua di origine latina.

Keywords: Roving-level adaptive test; Speech-in-noise test.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Calculation sheet example from the 1st to the 5th triplet. SPEECH: it refers to the speech material presentation intensities (55 dB HL, 65 dB HL, 75 dB HL) NOISE: it provides the noise of competition level that changes depending on the accuracy of the preceding response ANSWER: it represents the number of correct words answered CORRECTION: it provides the noise variation index that is applied to the next corresponding noise level.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Age influence on the overall mean SRT values.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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