As a special education practitioner, your ability to effectively support students with hearing impairments is crucial. One area of interest is the relationship between speech discrimination ability and comfortable listening levels. A recent study titled "Relationships Between Speech Discrimination Ability and Comfortable Listening Levels" by Bennett and Winkelaar offers valuable insights that can help improve your practice.
This study investigated how subjects with normal hearing and those with sensorineural hearing loss selected comfort levels for intelligibility (MCL-I) and loudness (MCL-L). It compared these levels to the level at which maximum discrimination (Pb Max) was obtained. Here are some key findings and practical applications for your practice:
Key Findings
- For normal hearing subjects, Pb Max was obtained at a lower hearing level than MCL. However, for hearing loss subjects, MCL levels were significantly lower than the level at which Pb Max was obtained.
- Discrimination scores at MCL levels were significantly lower than Pb Max scores for hearing loss subjects, indicating that maximum discrimination would not be obtained at MCL even when Pb words were used for both measures.
- Selected levels for intelligibility and loudness of Pb words and intelligibility of connected speech were the same.
Practical Applications
Based on these findings, here are some strategies you can implement to enhance your practice:
1. Re-evaluate Testing Levels
For hearing loss subjects, relying solely on MCL for obtaining Pb Max may lead to incorrect estimations of maximum discrimination abilities. Instead, consider generating articulation functions for each subject. This approach, although time-consuming, ensures a more accurate assessment of their speech discrimination abilities.
2. Use Consistent Stimuli
Ensure that the stimuli used for establishing MCL are consistent with those used for Pb Max testing. This minimizes the variance in hearing levels and provides a more accurate measure of a subject's discrimination abilities.
3. Educate and Train
Educate your team and train them on the importance of using appropriate dB levels for Pb Max testing. Ensure they understand that MCL levels for connected speech and Pb words may not always align with Pb Max levels, especially for subjects with hearing loss.
4. Encourage Further Research
Encourage your team to stay updated with the latest research in audiology. Understanding the nuances of studies like this one can significantly impact the effectiveness of your practice. Attend conferences, read publications, and participate in webinars to continually improve your knowledge and skills.
Conclusion
Incorporating the findings from the study "Relationships Between Speech Discrimination Ability and Comfortable Listening Levels" can enhance your ability to support students with hearing impairments. By re-evaluating testing levels, using consistent stimuli, educating your team, and encouraging further research, you can ensure more accurate assessments and better outcomes for your students.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Relationships Between Speech Discrimination Ability and Comfortable Listening Levels.
