Correlation Between Pure Tone Thresholds and Speech Thresholds

Abstract

Speech detection threshold (SDT) depends on audibility alone, whereas speech recognition threshold (SRT) requires the stimuli to be heard and identified. The aim of the study was to determine the difference between SDT and SRT, and to analyze the correlation between pure tone thresholds and speech thresholds. Difference between SDT and SRT was ≤ 12 dB in majority of cases (p = .018). SDT was strongly correlated with the best pure tone threshold. Pearson correlation coefficient was the highest in “Inverted U” shape (r = .99). There was strong correlation between SRT and PTA (500-2000), PTA (500-4000), and PTA (500-1000), especially in Rising configuration (r = .997, r = .992 r = .989, respectively), as well as, between SRT and frequency of 1000 Hz (r = .989). SRT is in the highest correlation with PTA (500, 1000, 2000 Hz) and with the hearing threshold at frequency of 1000 Hz.