Speech Recognition Threshold
Also written as: SRT — Speech Recognition Threshold
The lowest hearing level in dB at which a patient can correctly identify 50% of presented spondaic words, used to validate pure-tone thresholds.
Full Definition
The Speech Recognition Threshold (SRT) is a fundamental speech audiometry measure that cross-validates the pure-tone average (PTA). A clinically acceptable agreement is defined as within 6–10 dB of the three-frequency PTA. In editorial documents, 'Speech Recognition Threshold' is the current ASHA-preferred term, having replaced 'Speech Reception Threshold,' although the latter still appears in older literature. Editors reviewing audiology reports should flag the outdated term and query whether 'recognition' is intended. The SRT is expressed in dB HL, not dB SPL, and this distinction matters when editing methodology sections of research articles.
Usage
Usage note: 'Speech Reception Threshold' is the deprecated form; prefer 'Speech Recognition Threshold' in current clinical documents unless the publication explicitly uses the older term.
In Context
- "The SRT of 30 dB HL was in good agreement with the three-frequency pure-tone average of 32 dB HL." — Audiological evaluation report
- "Editors should update 'speech reception threshold' to 'speech recognition threshold' unless the source document predates the 1988 ASHA nomenclature revision." — Copy-editing guidance