Word-In-Noise Perception Test in Adults

Abstract

Background: It is essential to have a test that creates the best competitive conditions for evaluating meaning perception. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Word-In-Noise Perception test (WINP) using Homotonic-Monosyllabic Words (HMWs) and Spectrum Speech Noise (SSN) for Persian speakers aged 18 to 22 years. Method: This study was a test-development type that was conducted in a cross-sectional-comparative way. Assessments included 110 young Persian speakers. The evaluations included checking the state of general health, sleep and mental states, basic audiological evaluations, dichotic digit test and WINP. Mann-Whitney and Friedman tests were used to compare group scores. Results: The validity and reliability of WINP using HMWs and SSN were determined. The mean Conversion Rate (CVR) and mean Content Validity Index (CVI) of the HMWs were 0.99 and 0.95, respectively. The minimum acceptable reliability (ICC) was also calculated for single and mean measurements. The results showed that the obtained scores are stable and without measurement errors. Normal values of WINP were obtained using HMWs and SSN. Gender was not an effective factor in causing differences in mean WINP scores. There was no significant difference between WINP mean scores in Signal-to-Noise Ratios (SNR) in different noises between the right and left ears. Also, there was a significant difference between mean scores of WINP in SNRs from -5 to +15 for left and right ears. Conclusion: The psychometric properties of the WINP using HMWs and SNN have been confirmed for Persian speaking adults.