Evaluation of a Clinical Method for Measuring Comfortable Loudness for Speech

The reliability of a clinical method for measuring most comfortable loudness for speech was evaluated on 100 subjects with sensorineural hearing loss. The method uses spondaic words as the test stimuli. The test-retest reliability was determined for an ascending and descending approach mode for all 100 subjects as well as for subgroups categorized on the basis of severity of hearing loss and pure-tone configuration. Results indicated that reliability was not affected by approach mode, hearing loss severity, or pure-tone configuration. Test-retest differences were not significant and test-retest correlations were high (r = 0.73 to 0.93) across all subgroup categories. Clinical reliability was demonstrated by the high percentages (85 to 92%) of subjects who had test-retest differences no greater +/-5 dB. The procedure is rapid, uses no special equipment, is easily performed, and is reliable. Thus, it is recommended as the preferred clinical procedure.