Conclusion: Speech thresholds measured using Cantonese Hearing in Noise Test (CHINT) and cortical evoked response audiometry (CERA) thresholds were highly correlated with pure-tone behavioral results. Both tests are considered to provide good estimates of hearing thresholds and can be employed to confirm the degree of hearing loss in Cantonese-speaking communities.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate how well a speech threshold obtained using a newly developed speech assessment tool (the CHINT) and CERA thresholds relate to pure-tone behavioral results and how the results compared in terms of their ability to predict hearing thresholds.
Subjects and methods: Thirty adults with normal hearing to profound sensorineural hearing loss were tested. Speech thresholds were measured using the CHINT in four conditions: quiet, noise from the front, noise from the right, and noise from the left. CERA thresholds were measured at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz in both ears.
Results: Most participants had speech thresholds in quiet within+/-10 dB of pure-tone averages, and had CERA thresholds within+/-15 dB of pure-tone thresholds. Speech and CERA thresholds were highly correlated (p<0.01) with pure-tone behavioral thresholds.