puhekuulotestejä

Puhekuulotestejä are speech audiometry tests used to assess an individual's ability to hear and understand spoken words. These tests are crucial for diagnosing hearing loss and evaluating its impact on communication. Unlike pure-tone audiometry, which measures the ability to hear specific frequencies, speech audiometry focuses on how well a person can process speech in various listening conditions.

The primary goals of puhekuulotestejä are to determine the softest level at which a person can understand speech (speech reception threshold or SRT) and the highest level of speech understanding achievable (word recognition score or WRS). The SRT is typically measured using spondee words, which are two-syllable words with equal stress on both syllables. The WRS is assessed using monosyllabic words presented at a supra-threshold level to determine the maximum clarity of speech.

Puhekuulotestejä can be conducted in quiet environments or with background noise to simulate real-world listening situations. The results help audiologists understand the functional impact of hearing loss on everyday communication, guide the selection of hearing aids, and monitor the effectiveness of interventions. They are an essential component of a comprehensive audiological evaluation.