QUICK SPEECH IN NOISE TEST AMONG NORMAL YOUNG ADULT NON-NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER

Abstract

Introduction: The QuickSIN (Quick Speech-in-Noise) test was developed to provide a quick estimation of SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) loss which indicates person’s ability to understand speech in noise (Etymotic Research, 2001). The test consists of sentences spoken by a female talker at a constant level in a varying levels of background noise (Arts & Duncan, 2006). There are five target words per sentence. Each sentence is presented at a level with SNR of between 25 to 0. The purpose of this study is to establish the normative value for QuickSIN test among normal hearing young adult non-native English speakers in Kuantan and study the correlation between the SNR loss and English proficiency.

Methods: Thirty-five males and females with normal hearing from International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus were assessed for SNR loss using QuickSIN. They were presented with sentences with the intensity level of 70 dB HL and varying levels of noise and were required to repeat what they heard. The correlation between the SNR loss and MUET band (listening test) was also studied.

Results: Mean SNR loss value of the subjects was 8.05 (SD±2.8). The derived reference range for SNR loss is 5.25 - 10.85.  There was no significant correlation between MUET listening test results and SNR loss (p>0.05).  

Conclusion: QuickSIN can be used to assess hearing in noise in non-native English speakers using the reference range targeted for that particular population.