You’re probably familiar with a pure-tone hearing test: wearing headphones in a soundproof room, listening to a series of beeps. While the pure-tone test is the most common hearing test, there are actually several types. Another kind of hearing test is the speech-in-noise (SIN) hearing test.
What Happens In a Speech-in-Noise Test?
SIN tests look very similar to pure-tone tests at first glance. Both tests involve headphones and a soundproof room. The difference is the audio you’re listening to. Instead of beeps, you’ll listen to recordings of speech layered over background noise. The volume and pitch of the speech will vary, as will the background noise. Your task is to repeat what was said in the recording.
What Does a Speech-in-Noise Test Measure?
While pure-tone tests find your hearing thresholds (i.e., the softest volume at which you can hear pitches of noise), SIN tests measure your ability to hear and understand speech in noisy settings. For people with hearing loss, these scenarios can be especially challenging, so the test mimics this scenario to get an idea of how your hearing loss manifests in your daily life.
You could also say that SIN tests measure your brain’s auditory processing capabilities. Your ears pick up sound information, but your brain sorts, processes and interprets the sound information it receives from the ears. For some people, their hearing thresholds come back in the “normal hearing” range after a pure-tone test, but they still struggle to follow speech in noisy settings. This is known as hidden hearing loss, and SIN testing is effective at detecting it.
How Does My Audiologist Use Speech-in-Noise Test Results?
As mentioned above, SIN testing is great at revealing how your hearing loss affects your daily life, particularly your ability to communicate with your friends and loved ones. Because of this nuance, your audiologist will be able to program your hearing aid settings in the way that most perfectly benefits your hearing abilities. This could look like fine-tuning the background noise suppression features in your devices, or slightly amplifying the pitches that are most associated with human speech.
They will also be able to create a custom listening program (or two!) specifically designed for listening to conversations in noisy settings, such as dinner out at a crowded, trendy restaurant or chatting on the side of a busy road. By having a pre-made program, you are equipped to enter these scenarios with confidence.
If you’re interested in learning more about SIN testing and how it might inform your hearing loss treatment, call Waterville Audiology today. We’d be happy to schedule an appointment for you or answer any questions you have.