Abstract
Background and objectivesThis study investigated reliability, particularly the internal and external consistency, of a new isiZulu speech reception threshold (SRT) test.MethodsTo examine internal consistency, 21 adult isiZulu speakers with normal hearing sensitivity completed the SRT test using the first and second halves of the SRT wordlist in the same test session. To examine external consistency, a separate 23 adult isiZulu speakers with normal hearing sensitivity completed the SRT test, using the whole word list on two occasions 4 weeks apart. Consistency of SRT test scores in these test conditions was measured using intraclass correlation coefficient analyses (a measure of the consistency or reproducibility of different observations of the same quantity) and Bland and Altman analyses of agreement (a comparison of measurement error with the expected variation amongst subjects).ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficient values ranged from 0.69 to 0.79, showing the isiZulu test scores were highly consistent between the test and retest conditions used in this study. Bland and Altman analyses showed that isiZulu speakers with normal hearing sensitivity can be expected to return isiZulu SRT test scores that differ by no more than 7.5 dB HL – 8.7 dB HL between original and repeat assessments.ConclusionThe isiZulu SRT test was reliable, showing high internal and external consistency, when used to assess first-language speakers of isiZulu with normal hearing sensitivity. These findings warrant continued development of the isiZulu SRT test for eventual clinical use. This development should include validating this test on first-language speakers of isiZulu with and without hearing loss.
Highlights
Since its introduction in the 1950s, speech reception threshold (SRT) testing has maintained its place in the basic audiological test battery (Ramkissoon, Proctor, Lansing, & Bilger, 2002)
Part 1 was designed to assess the internal consistency and part 2 was designed to assess the external consistency of the new isiZulu SRT test
The high internal consistency was shown by the split-half analysis results showing substantial absolute agreement on intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) (2, 1) analyses, and the range of difference ( ̄d) scores being within the ±5 dB variation in SRT scores expected within subjects in a clinical setting on the Bland Altman analyses, for both right and left ear stimulation
Summary
Since its introduction in the 1950s, speech reception threshold (SRT) testing has maintained its place in the basic audiological test battery (Ramkissoon, Proctor, Lansing, & Bilger, 2002). SRT tests typically consist of a list of words presented to a listener who must repeat each word as heard. The level of the words is altered until the listener correctly repeats 50% of a group of words. This level is considered to be the listener’s SRT, which is used to quantify the listener’s hearing level for speech, cross-check the listener’s pure-tone average threshold from pure-tone audiometry testing and provide diagnostic and prognostic value for medical, surgical and/or rehabilitative management of hearing loss (Gelfand, 2001). This study investigated reliability, the internal and external consistency, of a new isiZulu speech reception threshold (SRT) test
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