A Proposed SRT Procedure and Its Statistical Precedent

Abstract

The procedure for establishing speech reception thresholds (SRTs) with spondee words as proposed by Tillman and Olsen is described, with a suggested modification of that protocol. These systemized techniques incorporate 2- and 5-dB intensity decrements with two and five words being presented at the respective intervals. Threshold derivations from these two procedures are discussed in terms of a long-standing statistical precedent, the Spearman-Kärber method. Our data from 100 ears tested validate the procedures. We conclude that these techniques are clinically practical and suggest that the procedures be considered for adoption as standardized clinical methods, if additional data support their validity and reliability.