Reverberation as a parameter in clinical testing

Abstract

Word identification was measured binaurally and monaurally using the Modified Rhyme Test under noise and reverberation. Normally hearing and hearing-impaired subjects were tested. A change in reverberation time from 0.25 to 0.50 s in a small audiometric room caused a significant change in word identification scores in both groups of subjects. A simulated reverberation composed of five distinct reflections did not affect word identification. The binaural advantage (difference between the binaural and monaural scores) was significant for normally hearing subjects, while it was not significant for hearing-impaired subjects.

Key Words:

• Word identification
• Reverberation
• Masking noise
• Binaural advantage
• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Reflections in room
• Simulated reverberation