Speech in Noise Comprehension

[Vinnitus]

I notice a lot of hearing tests nowadays also focus on the speech-in-noise comprehension ability. I read some articles which say speech-in-noise comprehension is decreased with Tinnitus sufferers and speech-in-noise tests are a better way to detect this type of hearing loss than the classic audiogram.

So I proceeded to do some quick online tests regarding speech-in-noise and came out unscathed, where the results are telling me I have good hearing. Of course those tests aren't really considered "professional", it's hard to determine which volume i should use for instance in order to get reliable test results. Did anyone try these kinds of tests, maybe in a more professional environment, and if so; what are your results?

 

[Vinnitus]

Btw...

In one of the emails with the results of my hearing test, the following is mentioned...

If you have a hearing loss, you are not alone — it can happen to anybody and it often comes gradually with age. By age 55, one in four adults has hearing loss; and by age 65, almost one in three has hearing loss. If you suspect you have a hearing loss, ignoring or neglecting it can make it worse. But, treating a hearing loss with hearing aids can dramatically slow its progression — helping you preserve good hearing for a lifetime.

Really? Can hearing aids slow the progression of hearing loss? That's a new one to me. Seeing as they are selling hearing aids, I'm quite skeptical of their statement.

 

[linearb]

I have experimented with a number of these online tests; like you, I was confused about how to correctly set the volume on my headphones, and am skeptical that the results were at all useful. That said, my hearing is still good enough to show up as "excellent" in a typical hearing test, and subjective sound-based tests seem overall sketchy unless you have really serious hearing loss.

I'd never heard that aids would slow the progression of the loss; I can think of a couple interesting reasons that could be, but I've also read that hearing aids can make you lose your hearing faster, especially if you have to wear them at a relatively loud volume.

 

[Vaba]

I had 2 professionally done speech-in-noise testsat audiologists offices to test for hidden hearing loss.

100% word recognition at 45dB in both ears... :/

 

[Nick Pyzik]

I notice a lot of hearing tests nowadays also focus on the speech-in-noise comprehension ability. I read some articles which say speech-in-noise comprehension is decreased with Tinnitus sufferers and speech-in-noise tests are a better way to detect this type of hearing loss than the classic audiogram.

So I proceeded to do some quick online tests regarding speech-in-noise and came out unscathed, where the results are telling me I have good hearing. Of course those tests aren't really considered "professional", it's hard to determine which volume i should use for instance in order to get reliable test results. Did anyone try these kinds of tests, maybe in a more professional environment, and if so; what are your results?

Check these out Vinnitus:

- Decreased Speech-In-Noise Understanding in Young Adults With Tinnitus http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4923253/

- Tinnitus is associated with reduced sound level tolerance in adolescents with normal audiograms and otoacoustic emissions
http://www.nature.com/articles/srep27109

Both posted online this year in the month of June by different groups of researchers.

 

[Jkph75]

Audiologists say that you need the hearing aids so that your brain doesn't lose the ability to process sounds.

 

[Alue]

I had one professionally done too, 100% word recognition also. But I know for sure this has changed for me since my acoustic trauma. I used to be able to pick up a conversation from across the room, now I have minor issues hearing people in noisy environments (which I generally avoid because of my H). I also have a hard time hearing speech past the noisy music in some TV shows until I put clear voice setting on my TV.

I have one idea why this test doesn't seem to detect for us. It is done low volume, both low volume noise and lower volume speech. From my understanding is there are nerve fibers that are not even active until sound pressure reaches a certain threshold (can someone confirm this?). So maybe you do have a hard time hearing speech in a 75-80 db room, but can hear a whisper fine in 40-50 db. I also wonder if tinnitus caused by acoustic trauma or noise over time can be caused by damage to these high threshold auditory nerves.

 

[bill 112]

My father often conplained of not being able to hear people speak in environments with backround noise.

He didn't have T however he did spend most of his life driving diggers and doing security front stage at concerts with zero hearing protection.He was due to get a hearing test but unfortunately he never got to.

I however have horrible T and horrendous H but apparently my hearing is fine and my speech comprehension in noise environments is also fine according to my last audiologist.Personally I feel like I struggle a bit but that could also be from not being able to concentrate on what people are saying because of the pain.

 

[Vinnitus]

Check these out Vinnitus:

- Decreased Speech-In-Noise Understanding in Young Adults With Tinnitus http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4923253/

- Tinnitus is associated with reduced sound level tolerance in adolescents with normal audiograms and otoacoustic emissions
http://www.nature.com/articles/srep27109

Both posted online this year in the month of June by different groups of researchers.

Interesting. The studies seem to indicate that speech-in-noise testing might provide more reliable results for noise induced hearing loss than pure audiometry. I found another of such studies here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4923253/

In conclusion, speech-in-noise testing forms a reliable and clinically feasible technique to assess noise-induced damage in patients with normal peripheral function but with complaints of NIT. The present study shows promising results concerning the use of speech-in-noise testing in detection of noise-induced damage in adolescents.

However, when looking at the replies above me, it doesn't seem so certain. Of course this might be because there are no proper guidelines as to how this test should be performed optimally (volume levels, environment, used equipment, etc.). I experienced having little to no trouble comprehending speech from noise, unless I put the volume to its most lowest setting (but im not sure if im supposed to do that).

 

[Nick Pyzik]

Interesting. The studies seem to indicate that speech-in-noise testing might provide more reliable results for noise induced hearing loss than pure audiometry. I found another of such studies here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4923253/



However, when looking at the replies above me, it doesn't seem so certain. Of course this might be because there are no proper guidelines as to how this test should be performed optimally (volume levels, environment, used equipment, etc.). I experienced having little to no trouble comprehending speech from noise, unless I put the volume to its most lowest setting (but im not sure if im supposed to do that).

What do you think is your next move Vinnitus?

 

[Vinnitus]

What do you think is your next move Vinnitus?

Well, I was just researching this subject as I read a lot about the potential of speech-in-noise testing for NIHL but I was skeptical because of my own outcomes with this type of test. Hence I was wondering what other people's experiences were regarding this test.

I've been reading the study I provided in my previous post a bit closer, and see the following mentioned regarding environment, used volumes and equipment.

Subjects were seated in a quiet room and the sentences were presented monaurally through headphones. The sentences were played directly from a computer using software interface TigerSpeech Technology (2012) and passed through an audiometer. Sentence levels were adjusted by the software during adaptive testing depending whether the keywords in the sentences were repeated correctly or incorrectly. Also the noise was played from the same software passing through the audiometer and was presented to the ipsilateral ear at a fixed level of 65 dB SPL. The levels of speech and noise were calibrated by a licensed company prior to the commencement of the experiment.

It seems the test is performed on a constant volume of 65dB SPL. I should try to replicate that noise level here, although I have no audiometer handy. The study mentions that with these variables, there was a significant difference between tinnitus sufferers and a control group with no tinnitus.

Concerning the speech-in-noise testing, tinnitus subjects had significantly worse SRT scores compared to non-tinnitus subjects for sentences embedded in steady-state noise (mean SRT scores, respectively −5.77 and −6.90 dB SNR; p = 0.025) as well as for sentences embedded in 15 Hz AM-noise (mean SRT scores, respectively −13.04 and −15.17 dB SNR; p = 0.013) as illustrated in Figure Figure5.5.

I now wonder how the "professional" tests by the posters above were performed. According to them they had perfect speech recognition, which appears to contradict this study if the right variables were used during the test.

I just hope they are not walking into another dead end with this testing method...

 

[Nick Pyzik]

Well, I was just researching this subject as I read a lot about the potential of speech-in-noise testing for NIHL but I was skeptical because of my own outcomes with this type of test. Hence I was wondering what other people's experiences were regarding this test.

I've been reading the study I provided in my previous post a bit closer, and see the following mentioned regarding environment, used volumes and equipment.



It seems the test is performed on a constant volume of 65dB SPL. I should try to replicate that noise level here, although I have no audiometer handy. The study mentions that with these variables, there was a significant difference between tinnitus sufferers and a control group with no tinnitus.



I now wonder how the "professional" tests by the posters above were performed. According to them they had perfect speech recognition, which appears to contradict this study if the right variables were used during the test.

I just hope they are not walking into another dead end with this testing method...

What are you expecting at the end of a test performed on yourself?

 

[Frédéric]

I found this article today. See attached file.
Effect of Tinnitus and Duration of Deafness on Sound Localization and Speech Recognition in Noise in Patients With Single-Sided Deafness

 

[Contrast]

They need to test speech in complex background noises like music ranging in low to high parts.

How well can you hear speech with competing frequencies? How well can you hear a high pitch chime in a song?

The whole idea is to test the entire cochlear spiral for damage, not just the human voice range.

 

[Frédéric]

I found this article, see attached file.
The Role of Cognitive Control in Tinnitus and Its Relation to Speech-in-Noise Performance

 

[Frédéric]

I forgot to provide this article.
Hidden hearing loss in humans: cochlear synaptopathy is superseded by cognitive effects when listening to speech in noise
Source: https://www.entandaudiologynews.com...ive-effects-when-listening-to-speech-in-noise

 

[Gman]

Audiologists say that you need the hearing aids so that your brain doesn't lose the ability to process sounds.

And also to allow their wallets to maintain maximum bulk.

@Vinnitus love your pic. That guy is roasting bowls regularly. Ancient alien theorists say every nutball theory is plausible

 

[Frédéric]

Tinnitus Affects Speech in NoiseComprehension in Individuals With Hearing Loss

Abstract
Background:
Tinnitus is a prevalent auditory disorder that frequently co-occurs with hearing loss. It is suggested that tinnitus might have negative impact on speech perception. However, studies thus far have not been able to disentangle tinnitus, hearing loss, and speech in noise intelligibility. We therefore investigated whether there is an association between tinnitusand speech understanding in noise, independent of hearing loss.

Methods:
Of 4,211 participants from the population-based Rotterdam Study (mean age 67.8 [SD 8.9], 57.3% female) data was available on tinnitus, pure-tone audiometry, and digits in noise test. We compared the speech reception threshold in noise (SRTn) in participants with and without tinnitus for the whole population as well as for subgroups stratified for average hearing threshold in 10-dB strata. Additionally, we regressed tinnitus on SRTn with a multivariable regression model, adjusting for sex, age, highest achieved education, and cognitive function.

Results:
Participants with tinnitus (20.8%) had a higher SRTn (−3.6 dB [SD 3.7] versus −4.6 dB [SD 3.1]). This difference remained only in the subgroups of participants with hearing loss, between 0.6 and 0.8 dB difference in the SRTn for the different subgroups. In the fully adjusted model tinnitus was associated with 0.2 dB (95% CI 0.00, 0.39) SRTn increase.

Conclusion:
We have shown that tinnitus is associated with speech intelligibility in noise, but it is a small effect, only found in people with co-occurring hearing loss.

Source: https://journals.lww.com/otology-ne...s_Speech_in_Noise_Comprehension_in.96106.aspx

 

[Frédéric]

Although I am French, I am committed to keeping Tinnitus Talk in English for the benefit of everyone. However, I wanted to share information specifically for French speakers: Höra, an app that offers a sound level meter and a speech-in-noise test. This app is supported by the French Foundation for Hearing and approved by French State Insurance. The website has an English version (except for the page about the app), but the app itself is not available in English.

Höra : test auditif | Fondation Pour l'Audition

Höra : une application mobile comprenant un test de repérage auditif, scientifiquement validé et élaboré par des experts en audiologie, et un sonomètre !

www.fondationpourlaudition.org

 

[slc]

Although I am French, I am committed to keeping Tinnitus Talk in English for the benefit of everyone. However, I wanted to share information specifically for French speakers: Höra, an app that offers a sound level meter and a speech-in-noise test. This app is supported by the French Foundation for Hearing and approved by French State Insurance. The website has an English version (except for the page about the app), but the app itself is not available in English.

Höra : test auditif | Fondation Pour l'Audition

Höra : une application mobile comprenant un test de repérage auditif, scientifiquement validé et élaboré par des experts en audiologie, et un sonomètre !

www.fondationpourlaudition.org

Thanks, Frédéric. The app looks quite useful, especially the idea of "measuring one's sound environment and protecting hearing health."

Additionally (translated): "It allows for a precise evaluation of hearing health and auditory issues through a hearing test conducted with background noise, known as the 'three-digit test,' which is both simple and quick (taking a maximum of three minutes)."