Verbal audiometry, also known as speech audiometry, is a test that assesses the social performance of hearing, i.e. the ability to communicate in everyday life. In other words, it is a test that shows whether the subject understands the spoken words. How does verbal audiometry work and how to interpret the test results?

Contents:

  1. Verbal audiometry - what is assessed?
  2. Verbal audiometry - what is the test?
  3. Verbal audiometry in children

Verbal audiometryis used to diagnose types of hearing loss, in case of balance disorders, dizziness, and is also very helpful when choosing a hearing aid by a prosthetist.

Based on the verbal audiometry results, the specialist can choose the device that will give the patient the greatest benefit from speech understanding.

The purpose of verbal audiometry is to determine the discrimination curve, i.e. the speech understanding curve for individual levels of the intensity of the given sound stimulus (in this case, speech).

Verbal audiometry - what is assessed?

Speech audiometry (verbal) - unlike tonal audiometry, it assesses not only the level of hearing, but also the understanding of words that are composed of many sounds. Speech understanding is assessed.

Verbal audiometry - what is the test?

Verbal audiometry is performed in a closed, carefully silenced room, called a silence cabin. The patient puts on headphones in which he hears sets of monosyllabic words that should be repeated after the teacher.

The obtained result is presented in the form of a curve, called the articulation curve.

This test provides a we alth of information and the curves vary according to the type of hearing loss.

You can designate in it, among others:

      • speech intelligibility threshold (the intensity in dB at which the patient repeats half of the words heard)
      • speech detection threshold (the intensity at which the subject hears 50% of the words but does not understand and cannot repeat them)
      • discrimination threshold (lowest level when the patient hears and repeats all words)

Verbal audiometry in children

When conducting verbal audiometry, it is necessary to establish cooperation betweenpatient and audiometer.

Therefore, in children, this test is carried out only after the age of 6-7. age. The child's task is to repeat the words heard through headphones or through loudspeakers.

In children under 6 years of age, verbal audiometry can be performed using pictures. The test is then more attractive and understandable for younger children.

The child's task is to indicate the appropriate picture on the basis of auditory information provided through headphones or speakers.

The test of verbal audiometry in children is a diagnostic test in the case of suspected Central Auditory Processing Disorders, concentration and auditory attention disorders, as well as in the case of speech impediments, delayed speech development and all therapies with a speech therapist, pedagogue, psychologist, also in the case of suspected disorders auditory-labyrinthine.

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About the authorAnna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, twice the "Crystal Pen" in the national competition for journalists promoting he alth, and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.

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Research