Title: "Use of the Extended Speech Intelligibility Index (ESII) and the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) to quantify functional hearing ability"
Speaker: Sigfrid D. Soli, Ph.D.
Date: Monday, February 3; 3:30-4:30 PM
Room: LeFrak Hall Room 0135
Abstract:
The Extended Speech Intelligibility Index (ESII) is used to predict the speech reception thresholds (SRT) in real-world fluctuating noise environments (Rhebergen et al., 2008). For individuals with normal hearing the SRT is typically -2.6 dB S/N and the ESII is about 0.34. Thresholds above the norm indicate that a larger ESII is needed to achieve the same level of intelligibility. This relationship between the ESII and HINT threshold elevation can be used to quantify the impact of threshold elevation on functional hearing ability, especially speech communication, in real-world noise environments.
Elevation of a HINT threshold above the norm increases the ESII criterion value and thus reduces the likelihood of effective communication. For example, a 1 dB threshold increase corresponds to an increase in the ESII of approximately 0.03. Using this relationship, it is possible to make quantitative estimates of the impact of threshold elevation on the likelihood of effective communication during hearing-critical activities on the job and, in so doing, to establish and validate hearing screening criteria for specific jobs and workplaces. The results of this effort will be reported.
Biography:
Dr. Soli is a Senior Clinical Research Scientist at the House Clinic and an Adjunction Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Southern California. He develops and evaluates hearing diagnostics, assessment procedures, and devices for individuals for hearing impairment. His research has been applied in both clinical and occupational health settings. Dr. Soli is a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America, and a previous Chair of its Speech Communication Technical Committee. He has been an advisor to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and to the National Research Council. He has also served as a consultant to the FDA’s Ear, Nose, and Throat Device Panel. He is a Senior International Advisor to the Chinese Academy of Audiological Rehabilitation and to the Chinese Rehabilitation and Research Center for Disabled Children in Beijing, China.
