A Language Neutral Nonsense Speech-in-Noise Test for Dravidian Language Speakers: Development and Psychometric Evaluation
,
Abstract
Background and Aim: Assessing speech perception in noise (SPIN) in multilingual contexts like India is challenging due to the lack of linguistically appropriate test materials. Recognizing the limitations of existing SPIN tests in multilingual and clinically diverse settings, this study addressed critical need by developing a language-neutral, nonsense SPIN test material tailored for Dravidian languages.
Methods: Nonsense word lists in the Consonant Vowel Consonant Vowel format were generated using a random combination of common phonemes in the Dravidian languages (Kannada, Malayalam, telugu, Tulu, Tamil). These lists were recorded, and Speech recognition threshold in noise (SNR50) were used to select optimized lists based on a criterion of mean ±0.15 SD. The final lists were administered to 50 normal-hearing individuals at 0 dB SNR. Language independence was evaluated by comparing performance across speakers of the five languages. Further performance was also assessed across eight SNR levels to establish a psychometric slope function and goodness of fit was assessed. To evaluate test–retest reliability, 12 participants were retested within a one-week interval.
Results: The study resulted in 4 final optimized lists based on SNR50 selection criteria and further analysis. Lists showed sensitivity to varying SNR levels, as reflected by consistent psychometric function slopes. Comparable performance across language groups confirmed the language-independent nature of the test.
Conclusions: Developed test provides audiologists with a reliable and standardized tool to assess SPIN. By eliminating the influence of familiarity and ensuring language neutrality, the test is well-suited for clinical use across speakers of Dravidian languages.
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34. Stuart A, Phillips DP. Word recognition in continuous and interrupted broadband noise by young normal-hearing, older normal-hearing, and presbyacusic listeners. Ear Hear. 1996;17(6):478-89. [DOI:10.1097/00003446-199612000-00004]
35. Nilsson M, Soli SD, Sullivan JA. Development of the Hearing in Noise Test for the measurement of speech reception thresholds in quiet and in noise. J Acoust Soc Am. 1994;95(2):1085-99. [DOI:10.1121/1.408469]
2. Pichora-Fuller MK, Schneider BA, Daneman M. How young and old adults listen to and remember speech in noise. J Acoust Soc Am. 1995;97(1):593-608. [DOI:10.1121/1.412282]
3. Goyal S, Kumar E P, Dutta KK, Varma S G, Thomas P. Audiologists’ practice and perspectives on rehabilitation in individuals with minimal-mild degree of hearing loss: a questionnaire-based survey. Egypt J Otolaryngol. 2024;40:28. [DOI:10.1186/s43163-024-00589-2]
4. Humes LE, Dubno JR, Gordon-Salant S, Lister JJ, Cacace AT, Cruickshanks KJ, et al. Central presbycusis: a review and evaluation of the evidence. J Am Acad Audiol. 2012;23(8):635-66. [DOI:10.3766/jaaa.23.8.5]
5. Yathiraj A, Vanaja CS. Criteria to Classify Children as Having Auditory Processing Disorders. Am J Audiol. 2018;27(2):173-83. [DOI:10.1044/2018_AJA-17-0091]
6. De Siati RD, Rosenzweig F, Gersdorff G, Gregoire A, Rombaux P, Deggouj N. Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorders: From Diagnosis to Treatment: Literature Review and Case Reports. J Clin Med. 2020;9(4):1074. [DOI:10.3390/jcm9041074]
7. Wilson RH. Adding speech-in-noise testing to your clinical protocol: Why and how. Hear J. 2004;57(2):10,12,16,19. [DOI:10.1097/01.HJ.0000292386.54654.5d]
8. Wilson RH, McArdle R. Speech signals used to evaluate functional status of the auditory system. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2005;42(4 Suppl 2):79-94. [DOI:10.1682/jrrd.2005.06.0096]
9. Mendel LL. Current considerations in pediatric speech audiometry. Int J Audiol. 2008;47(9):546-53. [DOI:10.1080/14992020802252261]
10. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Census of India 2011: Abstract of speakers’ strength of languages and mother tongues [Internet]. New Delhi: Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner; 2018 [cited 2025 Jul 28]. Available from: https://censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/C-16_25062018_NEW.pdf
11. Bhat S, Kalaiah MK, Shastri U. Development and Validation of Tulu Sentence Lists to Test Speech Recognition Threshold in Noise. J Indian Speech Language Hearing Assoc. 2021;35(2):50-6. [DOI:10.4103/jisha.jisha_22_21]
12. Tanniru K, Narne VK, Jain C, Konadath S, Singh NK, Sreenivas KJR, et al. Development of equally intelligible Telugu sentence-lists to test speech recognition in noise. Int J Audiol. 2017;56(9):664-71. [DOI:10.1080/14992027.2017.1307530]
13. Prasad SM, Jain S, Vipin Ghosh PG. Development and Standardization of Sentences for Speech in Noise Test in Malayalam. J India Inst Speech Hearing. 2017;36:48.
14. Jain C, Narne V, Singh NK, Kumar P, Mekhala M. The development of Hindi sentence test for speech recognition in noise. Int J Speech Lang Pathol Audiol. 2014;2(2):86-94.
15. Disha BR, Sharda AS. Development of Speech Perception Test in Noise for Young Marathi-speaking Children. J Indian Speech Language Hearing Assoc. 2024;38(2):122-7. [DOI:10.4103/jisha.jisha_22_21]
16. Gnanasekar S, Vaidyanath R. Perception of Tamil Mono-Syllabic and Bi-Syllabic Words in Multi-Talker Speech Babble by Young Adults with Normal Hearing. J Audiol Otol. 2019;23(4):181-6. [DOI:10.7874/jao.2018.00465]
17. Coene M, Krijger S, Meeuws M, De Ceulaer G, Govaerts PJ. Linguistic Factors Influencing Speech Audiometric Assessment. Biomed Res Int. 2016;2016:7249848. [DOI:10.1155/2016/7249848]
18. Krishnamurti B. The Dravidian Languages. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2003.
19. Kuk F, Lau CC, Korhonen P, Crose B, Peeters H, Keenan D. Development of the ORCA nonsense syllable test. Ear Hear. 2010;31(6):779-95. [DOI:10.1097/AUD.0b013e3181e97bfb]
20. Chong FY, Cheoy LP, Mazlan R, Maamor N. Performance-intensity functions of Mandarin fricative-affricate nonsense word test: preliminary findings. Speech Lang Hear. 2020;23(3):121-32. [DOI:10.1080/2050571X.2019.1576364]
21. Cheoy LP, Chong FY, Mazlan R, Lim HW. Development of the Mandarin Nonsense Word Identification Test. Int J Audiol. 2021;60(8):578-87. [DOI:10.1080/14992027.2020.1864485]
22. Trimmis N, Vrettakos G, Gouma P, Papadas T. Speech Audiometry: Nonsense Monosyllabic Lists in Modern Greek. J Hear Sci. 2012;2(3):41-9. [DOI:10.17430/883512]
23. Schmitt N, Winkler A, Boretzki M, Holube I. A Phoneme Perception Test Method for High-Frequency Hearing Aid Fitting. J Am Acad Audiol. 2016;27(5):367-79. [DOI:10.3766/jaaa.15037]
24. Cameron S, Boyle C, Dillon H. The development of the Language-Independent Speech in Noise and Reverberation test (LISiNaR) and evaluation in listeners with English as a second language. Int J Audiol. 2023;62(8):756-66. [DOI:10.1080/14992027.2022.2078432]
25. Sjoberg AF. The Structure of Dravidian Languages. Final Report.; 1971. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED055516
26. Kumar AU, Sandeep M. Auditory Cognitive Training Module. ARF-Funded Departmental Project Submitted to All India Institute of Speech and Hearing.; 2013.
27. Vaidyanath R, Yathiraj A. Screening Checklist for Auditory Processing in Adults (Scap-A): Development and Preliminary Findings. J Hear Sci. 2014;4(1):27-37. [DOI:10.17430/890788]
28. Ching TYC, Dillon H, Hou S, Seeto M, Sodan A, Chong-White N. Development and Evaluation of a Language-Independent Test of Auditory Discrimination for Referrals for Cochlear Implant Candidacy Assessment. Ear Hear. 2022;43(4):1151-63. [DOI:10.1097/AUD.0000000000001166]
29. Geetha C, Kumar KSS, Manjula P, Pavan M. Development and Standardisation of the Sentence Identification Test in the Kannada Language. J Hear Sci. 2014;4(1):18-26. [DOI:10.17430/890267]
30. Shukla B, Rao BS, Saxena U, Verma H. Measurement of Speech in Noise Abilities in Laboratory and Real-World Noise. Indian J Otol. 2018;24(2):109. [DOI:10.4103/indianjotol.INDIANJOTOL_134_17]
31. Vineetha CV, Suma R, Nair SP. Effect of Bilingualism on Speech in Noise Perception in Young Adults. Language in India. 2013;13(6):799.
32. Plomp R. A signal-to-noise ratio model for the speech-reception threshold of the hearing impaired. J Speech Hear Res. 1986;29(2):146-54. [DOI:10.1044/jshr.2902.146]
33. Zhou R, Zhang H, Wang S, Chen J, Ren D. Development and Evaluation of the Mandarin Quick Speech-in-Noise Test Materials in Mainland China. J phonet Audio. 2017;2(3). [DOI:10.4172/2471-9455.1000124]
34. Stuart A, Phillips DP. Word recognition in continuous and interrupted broadband noise by young normal-hearing, older normal-hearing, and presbyacusic listeners. Ear Hear. 1996;17(6):478-89. [DOI:10.1097/00003446-199612000-00004]
35. Nilsson M, Soli SD, Sullivan JA. Development of the Hearing in Noise Test for the measurement of speech reception thresholds in quiet and in noise. J Acoust Soc Am. 1994;95(2):1085-99. [DOI:10.1121/1.408469]
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How to Cite
1.
Kumar E P, Bhat JS, S A. A Language Neutral Nonsense Speech-in-Noise Test for Dravidian Language Speakers: Development and Psychometric Evaluation. Aud Vestib Res. 2025;.
