Development of SC-10: A psychometrically equivalent Singapore Mandarin disyllabic word list for clinical speech audiometry use

Objective::The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate a set of psychometrically equivalent disyllabic wordlist(SC-10)in Singapore Mandarin for clinical use.Study design::A preliminary set of 1000 words were obtained from a dictionary of frequently used words by Singapore students.Ten native judges rate the familiarity level of each word.This is followed by a face-to-face public survey to rank the shortlisted word set from most to least familiar.The final 108 disyllabic words were recorded by a native female talker.20 normal hearing subjects were used to obtain the percentage of correct word recognition at 24 intensity levels(-10 dB HL to 26 dB HL in 2 dB increment).Psychometric function slopes were calculated for each word.100 words were eventually chosen and assigned into ten 10-word lists based on a psychometric balancing protocol.Minor digital adjustments were made to the intensity of each wordlist to improve their auditory homogeneity.Results::The calculated regression slopes in the psychometric functions for the ten lists are between 8.0 and 9.8%/dB.Single factor ANOVA analysis showed no significant difference in both the mean intensity required to obtain 50%recognition score(f=0.109,df=9,p=0.999)and the slopes of the psychometric functions(f=0.078,df=9,p=0.999)between the ten word lists.List validation on 25 normal hearing participants(PTA=11.0 dB HL,SD=4.3)showed a mean speech recognition threshold(SRT)of 9.3 dB HL(SD=3.5)and regression slope of 8.395%/dB.Quadratic regression analysis showed a positive correlation(r^(2)=0.923)between presentation level and word recognition score(WRS).The difference between PTA and SRT of each subject all fall within the clinically acceptable difference of 10 dB HL.Test-retest reliability,carried out on 20 subjects at three levels(SRT-5,SRT,and SRT+5 dB),showed no significance difference between word recognition score when the same participant is tested again at the same intensity level using a different wordlist.Conclusion::All in all,it shows that the SC-10 speech materials are valid for clinical use for Mandarin speech audiometry in Singapore.

The value of the speech audiometry in diagnosis of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy

To the editor: Sir,X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a hereditary metabolic disease with an incidence rate of 1:16,800.1 Mutations in the ABCD1 gene in X-q28 causes the presence of high levels of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in the serum and tissues.X-ALD presents with adrenal insufficiency as well as severe cognitive and neurologic disability.

Effect analysis of unilateral deaf adults wearing bone-conduction hearing aids:A case report

The prevalence of unilateral deafness(SSD)or asymmetric hearing loss(AHL)among patients with hearing impairments ranges from 7.2%to 15.0%,indicating a relatively significant proportion.However,these individuals often overlook their hearing loss,resulting in delayed or inadequate treatment.This oversight can lead to a lack of binaural summation and squelch effect,as well as the head shadow effect,which can significantly impact their speech recognition and sound localization abilities,especially in noisy environments.Recently,a groundbreaking Sound Bite™Pinyin®Bone Conduction Hearing Aid(HA)device has been has been introduced as a viable alternative to traditional percutaneous stimulation hearing assistance devices.This innovative device harnesses bone conduction technology to convey sound vibrations directly to the inner ear via the bones of the jaw and skull,effectively bypassing the air conduction pathway that is commonly compromised in individuals with hearing loss.This report details the evaluation and adjustment process of a HA device worn by a 31-year-old female patient who suffers from a congenital ossicular chain deformity in her right ear,while maintaining normal hearing in her left ear.The report comprehensively covers the hearing thresholds of the 31-year-old female patient on the day of fitting the hearing aid and one month later.It also presents assessments of the hearing aid’s performance through the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit(APHAB)questionnaire,conducted three days after adjustment,one month later,and one year later.Furthermore,the report details the evaluation of the patient’s sound localization ability,comparing her performance before and after wearing the hearing aid device.Additionally,it includes measurements of her speech recognition ability for monosyllabic words and Yang Yang Ge words,which are specific tests in the Chinese language,conducted two years after the initial fitting of the hearing aid.The discovery that bone-anchored hearing devices can significantly enhance hearing thresholds in patients with unilateral conductive hearing loss represents a significant milestone.These devices not only improve speech recognition ability but also enhance sound localization in noisy environments.This improvement is accompanied by a high level of subjective satisfaction among patients,indicating a positive impact on their overall quality of life.

Audiovestibular functioning of post-menopausal females with osteoporosis and osteopenia

Introduction:Osteoporosis and osteopenia are progressive disorders characterized by decreased bone mass,especially in postmenopausal women.These can be associated with body pain,fractures,hearing loss and balance disorders.The present study aims to evaluate audio-vestibular function in postmenopausal patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis.Methods:The study included 48 postmenopausal women(new subjects)diagnosed with osteoporosis(n=23)or osteopenia(n=25)in the age range of 50e66 years,as well as 28 normal women as controls.Audiological testing included pure tone audiometry(conventional and extended high-frequency audiometry),speech audiometry,impedance audiometry and otoacoustic emissions,including both transient evoked otoacoustic emissions(TEOAEs)and distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAEs).All subjects also underwent vestibular evoked myogenic potentials testing(both ocular and cervical VEMPs).Results:In the present study,hearing was worse at all frequencies in the osteoporosis group in comparison with the osteopenia and control groups,with worse speech recognition and discrimination scores and OAEs.Vestibular function was affected in 95.65%of women with osteoporosis and 76%of those with osteopenia.Conclusion:Osteoporosis and osteopenia are risk factors for vestibular dysfunction and hearing deficits in postmenopausal women.Thus,hearing and vestibular function should be monitored by audiological and vestibular testing periodically in these individuals.

背景噪声下言语测听

本文在对中枢听觉神经系统功能的解剖、生理及其检查开展的必要性进行略述后,提出语言的最基本、最主要的形式是“言语”。能否听懂言语,是判断听功能状态的最主要指标。通过对言语测听及背景噪声下言语测听的历史、现状进行概述后,对背景噪声下言语测听的影响因素及其作为听处理套查方法之一的临床应用前景、在中枢听处理障碍检查中的灵敏性进行展望。

人工耳蜗植入儿童听觉言语发展动态评估方法

评价人工耳蜗植入儿童植入效果最直接有效的方法之一就是评价其言语识别能力的改善程度。本文介绍了人工耳蜗植入儿童听觉言语识别评估方法学的发展情况，特别是儿童言语识别动态评估方法，重点介绍了目前国际上比较典型与常用的儿童言语识别组合测试法。