노인성 난청의 청력손실 정도에 따른 어음인지능력 |
주연미1,2, 장현숙2 |
1푸른이비인후과 2한림대학교 자연과학대학 언어청각학부 |
Effects of Frequency Range and Degree of Hearing Loss on Word
Recognition in Elderly Listeners |
Yeonmee Joo1,2, Hyunsook Jang2 |
1Purn ORL Clinic, Seoul, Korea 2Division of Speech Pathology and Audiology, College of Natural Science, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea |
Correspondence |
Hyunsook Jang ,Tel: (033) 248-2218, Fax: (02) 542-5207, Email: hsjang@hallym.ac.kr
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Received: October 31, 2009; Accepted: November 22, 2009. Published online: December 31, 2009. |
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ABSTRACT |
The purpose of this study was to identify the word recognition difficulties in the hearing-impaired elderly according to frequency
range and degree of hearing loss Word recognition scores were measured at the most comfortable level (MCL) and at a conversational
level of 55 dB HL. This study included 10 normal-hearing and 90 impaired-hearing elderly subjects. The 90 hearing-impaired
subjects were divided into 9 groups according to the combination of three frequency ranges of hearing loss (1,000-6,000 Hz,
2,000-6,000 Hz, & 3,000-6,000 Hz) and three degrees of hearing loss (26-35 dB, 36-45 dB, & 46-55 dB). At the most comfortable
level, recognition scores revealed a range of 86-96% for all elderly groups. There was no significant recognition difference
among three frequency ranges of hearing loss. Recognition performance decreased as degree of hearing loss increased. At a conversational
level, recognition scores revealed a range of 68-96% for all elderly groups. Recognition performance was significantly
deteriorated with increasing degree of hearing loss and increasing frequency ranges of hearing loss. When frequency range of hearing
loss was wider than 2,000-6,000 Hz and when degree of hearing loss became greater than 36 dB, recognition performance was
significantly poorer at a conversational level than at the most comfortable level. The results of this study show that frequency range
and degree of hearing loss effects on word recognition in the elderly are significant if word is presented at a conversational level.
These findings suggest that word recognition measured at a conversational level provides better prediction for communication difficulties
in elderly listeners with impaired hearing. Moreover, it can be usefully applied for counseling and rehabilitation for the
elderly with impaired hearing. |
Key Words:
Elderly with impaired hearing·Most Comfortable level (MCL)·Conversational level·Word recognition. |
중심단어:
노인성 난청· 쾌적역치 강도수준· 일상회화수준· 어음인지도. |
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