This study examined associations between audiometric detection thresholds for older adults with normal and impaired hearing and recognition of degraded speech in speech-modulated noise.
Audiometric pure-tone detection thresholds carry meaningful predictive value for speech recognition in degraded, noisy conditions in older adults, reinforcing their continued clinical utility beyond simple hearing-loss classification.
Demonstrating that standard audiometric thresholds predict speech recognition in complex noise strengthens the case for their use as a core clinical metric and may inform hearing aid fitting and counselling for older adults.
- 01Standard audiometric thresholds predicted speech recognition in spectrally and temporally degraded speech-in-noise for older adults.
- 02Both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired older adults were included, strengthening generalisability.
- 03Published in International Journal of Audiology; quantitative study design.
- 04Speech-modulated noise was used, which more closely simulates real-world listening environments.
- 05Findings support the clinical relevance of routine audiometric testing beyond diagnosis to functional prediction.
Audiometric detection thresholds predict recognition of spectrally and temporally degraded speech in speech-modulated noise in older adults.
studysupportedThis predictive relationship holds for both older adults with normal hearing and those with hearing impairment.
studysupported- PMID
- 42414847
- DOI
- 10.1080/14992027.2026.2697256.
- Journal
- International Journal of Audiology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Older adults with normal and impaired hearing
- Intervention
- Audiometric pure-tone detection thresholds as predictors of speech recognition
- Comparator
- Normal-hearing older adults vs. hearing-impaired older adults
Primary outcomes
Recognition of spectrally degraded speech in speech-modulated noise; Recognition of temporally degraded speech in speech-modulated noise