Speech recognition in background noise: An evidence-based review
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Date
2008
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Publisher
Ohio State University. Department of Speech and Hearing Science
Abstract
Audiologists who work with the older adult population frequently hear, “I can understand you
fine in your office, but when I am in the ‘real world’ I really struggle.” Audiologists are well
aware that communication does not always occur in quiet settings such as an office or sound
booth, but instead often occurs in the presence of background noise. As people age, pathological
changes along the entire auditory pathway contribute to sensorineural hearing loss and make
speech understanding in background noise increasingly difficult. Within the profession of
audiology, tradition has dictated that: a) speech testing is performed in quiet, and b) hearing aids
are utilized as the main, if not sole, rehabilitative strategy for sensorineural hearing loss.
However, what is tradition is not always what is best practice. This paper serves to review the
evidence which emphasizes the need for speech testing in the presence of background noise, as
well as the need for a rehabilitation plan beyond the hearing aid fitting. A review of the
senescent changes to the auditory system will also be discussed.