Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy

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Browsing Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy by Subject "Afrikaans sentence perception test"

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    Development of an Afrikaans sentence perception test based on the CUNY topic-related sentences – phase 1 : sentence perception in noise
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011-03) Scourfield, Jolanda; Tuomi, Seppo Kalervo; Muller, Alida Maria Uys; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Health Sciences. Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Speech audiometry for diagnostic purposes is widely used by audiologists around the world, but its application is starting to shift more towards rehabilitative purposes for people with hearing impairment. This has created the need for the development of appropriate test materials, including speech-in-noise tests, in the first language of the person undergoing rehabilitation. This document describes a study entailing the first phase in the development of an Afrikaans sentence perception test in noise based on the City University of New York (CUNY) topic-related sentences (Boothroyd, Hanin & Hnath, 1985). The test is called Sinslyste in Afrikaans vir Volwassenes in Lawaai [Sentence lists in Afrikaans for Adults in Noise] (SAV-L). Twenty-seven sentence lists containing 12 sentences each were compiled and evaluated by eight speakers of Afrikaans for their naturalness before they were recorded together with three-talker babble as masking noise. The recorded material was then presented to six groups of ten participants each (with the exception of nine participants in one of the rounds) and adjusted in intensity to improve inter-list reliability. Two scorers were used at intervals to determine inter-rater reliability. Test conditions were also replicated after an interval of six months or more to establish test-retest reliability. In a last round of testing, the test was administered at the intended presentation level to assess the appropriateness of the chosen level. Through adjustment of list intensities, inter-list reliability was improved to a 13.87% variance between list scores. Test-retest reliability showed a bias with an intra-class correlation agreement of 0.859. This was thought to be due to participants’ improved familiarity with the clinical environment over time, however longer term measures of test-retest reliability remains to be done. Inter-rater reliability was very high with an intra-class agreement of 0.999. The intended test level of 50dBHL with a signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of +5dB, was found to be an acceptable fixed SNR. The test can be used in its current form for assessment of amplification candidacy as well as monitoring of progress during rehabilitation. Further research is indicated for the establishment of the sensitivity of the test. It is concluded that just as a clinician is expected to select the most suitable diagnostic test based on the patient’s history, signs and symptoms, so should the audiologist be expected to select the most appropriate rehabilitative measure based on the patient’s communication needs and established treatment goals. The SAV-L is a valuable contribution to the pool of speech perception tests available as rehabilitative measures, and is specifically suitable for adults with well-developed spoken language.