| Popis: |
The effect of symmetrical and asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) on the speech reception threshold (SRT) in speech‐spectrum‐shaped noise was assessed with the hearing in noise test (HINT) using an adaptive procedure. Subjects consisted of 16 listeners with symmetrical SNHL and 16 listeners with asymmetrical SNHL. Speech and noise were presented in a sound field from spatially separated loudspeakers at various azimuths (speech at 0/noise at 180, speech at 45/noise at 225, speech at 315/noise at 135). Results suggest that individuals with mild to moderately sloping asymmetrical SNHL (defined as a 15 dB or greater difference in hearing thresholds between ears at two or more frequencies) have speech‐perception ability equivalent to that of individuals with an equal amount of symmetrical SNHL as long as the speech signal is presented to the better ear (BE) or from directly in front of the listener. Individuals with asymmetrical SNHL, however, exhibited more difficulty understanding speech in noise than did individuals with symmetrical SNHL if the speech signal was presented toward the poorer ear (PE). Implications are discussed as well as limitations and future directions of research. |
