Speech Audiometry
A set of audiological tests using speech stimuli—rather than pure tones—to assess how well a patient detects and discriminates spoken material, measuring speech reception threshold and word recognition score.
Full Definition
Speech audiometry encompasses tests such as the speech reception threshold (SRT), which identifies the lowest level at which a patient can correctly repeat 50% of spondee words, and the word recognition score (WRS), which assesses the percentage of monosyllabic words correctly identified at a suprathreshold level. These tests supplement pure-tone audiometry by providing information about functional hearing ability and the integrity of central auditory processing. Editors must not conflate 'speech reception threshold' with 'speech recognition threshold', though both abbreviate to SRT; context and house style should guide term choice.
Usage
Usage note: 'Speech reception threshold' and 'speech recognition threshold' both abbreviate to SRT and are used interchangeably in some texts but have subtly different meanings in formal usage; editors should confirm the intended meaning and standardise accordingly.
In Context
- "Speech audiometry demonstrated a word recognition score of 68%, indicating poor speech discrimination despite a moderate hearing loss." — Audiology clinical report
- "The report used 'speech recognition threshold' and 'speech reception threshold' interchangeably; the editor standardised to the house-preferred term." — Editorial note