Separated speech and noise channels. Etymotic QuickSIN Speech-in-Noise Test

Etymotic QuickSIN Speech-in-Noise Test is a quick and easy way to measure a patient's ability to hear in noise. The test is designed to provide clinicians with a reliable and valid measure of SNR loss, which can be used to guide treatment decisions. The QuickSIN test is also useful for demonstrating the effectiveness of hearing aids with directional microphones.

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SEPARATED SPEECH & NOISE CHANNELS

Tracks 24-35 contain the 12 standard QuickSIN lists recorded with the speech and noise on two separate channels (target speech on channel one and 4-talker babble on channel two). The purpose of these lists is to provide a quick way to verify the effectiveness of hearing aids that have switchable directional microphones. On these tracks, both speech and babble were recorded at constant levels; therefore, the tester must establish and control the signal-to-noise ratios by selecting the presentation levels for both speech and babble channels, and manually change the level of the babble channel for each sentence to adjust the signal-to-noise ratio.

Directional Comparisons

A complete measurement of a directional hearing aid requires extensive laboratory facilities, but a good demonstration of the ability of directional hearing aids to reject sound from the sides and rear can be obtained in a standard test booth with loudspeakers located in the corners (at +45 o and -45 o or 0 o and 180 o azimuth).

It is important to remember that any test conducted in a sound booth will not precisely reflect results in the real world. By design, sound booths have minimal reverberation, and testing is conducting using a limited number of loudspeakers

(usually two) that are in fixed locations. In this setup, it is possible that the location of the speakers may interact with the null of the directional microphone(s). Therefore, these measures should not be used to assess effectiveness of one directional microphone design vs. another (where differences are usually small) but rather as a general measure comparing OMNI to Directional, to verify that the directional microphones are working and providing directivity (rejection of sound from the sides and rear).

Procedure:

If the loudspeakers are located at +45 o and -45 o , test each ear separately. Position the patient in the sound booth so that speech is presented from in front at 45 o and babble from behind at approximately 135 o . Direct the speech (channel one) to the loudspeaker at 45 o and direct the babble (channel two) to the loudspeaker at 135 o .

Note: There are two possible “45 degree” orientations for the patient. The desired orientation places the aided ear between the loudspeakers. See Figure 3. When the other ear is tested, the patient will need to be rotated to face the opposite wall and the speech and babble switched to the opposite speakers.

Directional Comparisons Continued

Figure 3

Figure 4

If the loudspeakers are located at 0 o and 180 o , you may test each ear separately or both ears together. Position the patient in the sound booth so that speech is presented from in front at 0 o and babble from behind at 180 o

See Figure 4.

Since the babble noise on Tracks 24-35 is at a constant level, two types of demonstrations are possible:

1. Subjective. Calibrate both channels. Have the patient set the hearing aid/s to

OMNI. Adjust the speech to 50 dB HL (65 dB SPL conversational speech level) and then adjust the noise to the level where the patient reports that it just prevents understanding the speech. Have the patient switch back and forth between OMNI and Directional positions on the hearing aid/s. The improved intelligibility in the directional mode should be obvious.

2. Objective. Calibrate both channels. Set the dial for channel one (front speaker) to 50 dB HL. Set the dial for channel two to 25 dB HL for the first sentence, and increase the dial setting for channel two (babble) by 5 dB for each succeeding sentence (see Table 2). Score each list as before to obtain SNR Loss. Test in

OMNI and Directional. A minimum of three lists in each condition (six total) is required for a valid comparison to an accuracy of 1.5 dB at the 80% confidence level (see page 20). If you find a difference greater than 4 dB with one list in each condition, you have already reached the 95% confidence level.

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

Sentence 3

Sentence 4

Sentence 5

Sentence 6

Table 2

Channel 1

Dial (dB HL)

Channel 2

Dial (dB HL) SNR (dB)

Hello! I've reviewed the Etymotic QuickSIN Speech-in-Noise Test user manual. This document details the procedure for administering the test, explains SNR loss, and provides numerous equivalent test lists for assessing speech understanding in noise. I'm ready to answer your questions about the QuickSIN test and its use.

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Key features

Provides a one-minute estimate of SNR loss
Can be used to quantify a patient’s ability to hear in noise
Can be used to determine if extended high frequency emphasis improves or degrades understanding of speech in noise
Can be used to assist professionals in choosing appropriate amplification and other assistive technologies
Can be used to demonstrate that hearing aids with directional microphones improve speech intelligibility in noise
Provides a large number of equivalent test lists for use in clinical and research work
Provides information useful in counseling patients regarding realistic expectations

Frequently asked questions

SNR loss is a measure of how well a person can hear speech in noise. It is calculated by subtracting the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at which a person can understand 50% of the words in a sentence from 25.5 dB.

The QuickSIN test is administered by presenting a list of six sentences in four-talker babble noise. The sentences are presented at pre-recorded SNRs which decrease in 5-dB steps from 25 (very easy) to 0 (extremely difficult). The patient is asked to repeat the five key words in each sentence.

The QuickSIN test is scored by giving one point for each key word that is repeated correctly. The total number of points is then subtracted from 25.5 to obtain the SNR loss score.

User questions

Robert O.

How is the value 25.5 used in the SNR loss calculation derived?

The number 25.5 in the SNR loss calculation is derived from estimating the SNR-50 (signal-to-noise ratio for 50% correct) using the total number of words correct. It's based on a modified Tillman-Olsen method adapted for the QuickSIN test's parameters. The SNR loss formula is: 25.5 – (Total words correct in 6 sentences). The SNR-50 for normal-hearing persons is 2 dB, so you subtract 2 dB from 27.5 dB (27.5 -2 = 25.5) to find a patient's SNR LOSS.

Robert O.

How does the Tillman-Olsen method relate to the QuickSIN test and the 25.5 value?

The Tillman-Olsen method estimates the spondee threshold. For adaptation to QuickSIN: The QuickSIN test has five words per step and 5 dB per step. The highest SNR is 25 dB. To adapt the Tillman-Olsen method: 25 + 2.5 = 27.5. SNR-50 Calculation: 27.5 minus the total number of words repeated correctly gives the SNR-50, which is the signal-to-noise ratio needed for the patient to repeat 50% of the words correctly.

Michael A.

What type of background noise is used in the QuickSIN test?

The QuickSIN test uses four-talker babble, a mix of one male and three female voices speaking simultaneously, simulating realistic noisy social environments.