/OBJECTIVES: Pure-tone audiometry and word recognition scores (WRS) obtained in quiet may not fully reflect everyday hearing difficulties. This study examined how WRS across different listening conditions relate to perceived hearing handicap and quality of life in older adults with sensorineural hearing loss, and whether they explain perceived handicap beyond demographic and audiological variables.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Consider adding word-recognition-in-noise testing to standard audiometric assessment in older adults, as quiet-condition scores alone may underestimate perceived hearing handicap and quality-of-life impact.
It reinforces the growing evidence that speech-in-noise testing should be a routine component of hearing evaluations, not an optional add-on, to capture the true functional burden of sensorineural hearing loss.
- 01Standard quiet-condition word recognition tests may miss real-world hearing difficulties in older adults.
- 02Noise-based word recognition scores showed stronger links to perceived hearing handicap than quiet-condition scores.
- 03Quality of life outcomes correlated more closely with speech-in-noise performance.
- 04Participants had sensorineural hearing loss — the most common age-related type affecting the inner ear.
- 05Findings support routine use of noise-condition testing in audiology clinics.
Standard quiet-condition word recognition tests underestimate real-world hearing difficulties in older adults with sensorineural hearing loss.
studypartially supportedWord recognition in noise is associated with perceived hearing handicap and quality of life in older adults.
studysupported- PMID
- 42930341
- DOI
- 10.3390/audiolres16050143.
- Journal
- Audiology Research
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Older adults with sensorineural hearing loss presenting for audiological assessment
- Intervention
- Word recognition testing in noise
- Comparator
- Word recognition testing in quiet (standard condition)
Primary outcomes
Perceived hearing handicap; Quality of life; Association between noise-condition scores and self-reported outcomes