Abstract
BackgroundThis study continued the development of an isiZulu speech reception threshold (zSRT) test for use with first language, adult speakers of isiZulu.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine the convergent and concurrent validity of the zSRT test.MethodsOne hundred adult isiZulu first-language speakers with normal hearing and 76 first-language, adult isiZulu speakers with conductive or sensorineural hearing losses ranging from mild to severe were assessed on pure tone audiometry and a newly developed isiZulu SRT test. Convergent validity was established through agreement of the zSRT scores with pure tone average (PTA) scores. Concurrent validity was assessed by examining the steepness of the psychometric curve for each word in the zSRT test for each type and degree of hearing loss.ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficient analyses showed zSRT scores were in substantial to very high agreement with PTA scores for the normal hearing and hearing loss groups (NH – right ear ICC consistency = 0.78, left ear ICC = 0.67; HL – right ear ICC consistency = 0.97, left ear ICC consistency = 0.95). The mean psychometric slope (%/dB) at 50% correct perception for all words in the zSRT test was 4.92%/dB for the mild conductive hearing loss group, 5.26%/dB for the moderate conductive hearing loss group, 2.85%/dB for the moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss group and 2.47%/dB for the severe sensorineural hearing loss group. These slopes were appropriate for the degree of hearing loss observed in each group.ConclusionThe zSRT test showed convergent and concurrent validity for assessing SRT in first language, adult speakers of isiZulu.
Highlights
This article reports on the convergent and concurrent validity of an isiZulu speech reception threshold test for use with first-language, adult speakers of isiZulu with and without hearing loss
In the case of speech audiometry, evidence of the validity of its tests has been dominated by reports of the psychometric functions for the word stimuli used in these speech audiometry tests (e.g., Harris et al, 2001; 2004; Harris, Kim, & Egget, 2003; Nissen, Harris, Jennings, Eggett, & Buck, 2005; Nissen, Harris, & Slade, 2007)
The zSRT results can reasonably be expected to show high levels of agreement with the established pure tone average (PTA) results for first-language, adult speakers of isiZulu with hearing loss, when these tests are applied in clinical settings
Summary
This article reports on the convergent and concurrent validity of an isiZulu speech reception threshold (zSRT) test for use with first-language, adult speakers of isiZulu with and without hearing loss.With evidence-based practice being prioritised for clinical practice, the need for validity evidence of newly developed tests continues to grow amongst clinicians and researchers alike (Friberg & McNamara, 2010). In the case of speech audiometry, evidence of the validity of its tests has been dominated by reports of the psychometric functions ( called the performance intensity functions) for the word stimuli used in these speech audiometry tests (e.g., Harris et al, 2001; 2004; Harris, Kim, & Egget, 2003; Nissen, Harris, Jennings, Eggett, & Buck, 2005; Nissen, Harris, & Slade, 2007) Whilst such reports provide some evidence of validity and reliability, systematic assessments of the validity of speech audiometry tests remain rare. This study continued the development of an isiZulu speech reception threshold (zSRT) test for use with first language, adult speakers of isiZulu
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