Performance of older adults with hearing loss on the staggered spondaic word test – Spanish version (SSW-SV)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the current study is to assess the performance of the staggered spondaic word Spanish Version (SSW-SV) in a group of older adults with bilateral hearing loss.Materials and methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of medical records of adults seen at the ENT Department of the Hospital Padre Hurtado in Santiago, Chile. Ninety-six adults were included in the study (M = 65.3 years, SD 15.9). Pure tone audiometry and the SSW-SV were administered. All participants presented with a bilateral symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss. Uncorrected (RSSW) and corrected (CSSW) errors scores were obtained. Participants were allocated into four groups as a function of age; (a) younger (aged 20–59 years); and three older age groups in their (b) 60s; (c) 70s; and (d) 80s.Results: There were correlations between RSSW/CSSW errors scores and hearing loss, indicating that increased errors were associated with a higher degree of hearing loss (>50 dB HL). No significant differences in performance between younger and 60s group participants were observed, whereas the older groups had more variable performance (70s and 80s groups). RSSW/CSSW total errors scores become higher with age, however significant group differences (for the competing conditions) were only observed in the older groups (70s and 80s). About 50% of the sample did not show significant order nor ear effects.Conclusions: The SSW-SV is a useful tool to describe the dichotic listening abilities of older adults with hearing loss and can be administered to people with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.