A simple hearing screener up to 17 kHz for use in speech perception research.

Abstract

Speech scientists are well aware that hearing ability affects the perception of speech sounds. However, hearing is rarely directly tested in studies of normal speech perception. Furthermore, standard audiological testing does not test above 8 kHz, although speech spans frequencies as high as 17 kHz. Given that amplification of frequencies above 8 kHz aids speech perception in hearing impaired subjects, higher frequencies appear to play a role in speech perception. Thus, speech perception research would be improved by incorporating direct tests of speech frequency hearing in all participants. We developed a simple, computer‐based hearing screener for use in speech perception research. Using easily accessible equipment and simple calibration techniques, the screener tests bilateral hearing sensitivity between 250 Hz–17 kHz in about 5 min and is easily implemented by non‐audiologists. A total of 111 ears from 56 participants were tested using both the simple screener and a full audiological workup using modified Bekesy tracking up to 17 kHz. The hearing screener identified hearing loss across a wide range of frequencies with a high level of both sensitivity (0.85395) and specificity (0.83118). This study demonstrates that a quick and simple hearing screener can provide an accurate assessment of hearing ability across the speech frequency range.