The objectives of the investigation were to establish diagnostic reference data; and to examine and report on the effects of sex difference and contralateral masking on the normal BAER. BAERs were elicited from the target (R) ear using clicks presented at 70dBnHL both in the absence and presence of three (50, 6O and 70dBHL) levels of contralateral broadband masking noise. Relevant latency and amplitude data were obtained from 60 selected normal hearing Indian undergraduate female (N=30; X age = 20.33 years) and male (N=30; X age = 21.33 years) students aged between 18 and 25 years (X age = 20.73 years). Diagnostic reference data were established for the absolute latencies of peaks I to VI; relative latencies of peaks I-III; III-V and I-V; absolute amplitudes of peaks I and V and the relative amplitude ratio of peaks V:I. The application of the MANOVA revealed an overall significant (p < 0,05) sex difference effect while no significant differences were observed between the masked and non-masked normal BAER. Furthermore, there were no significant overall interactional effects of sex difference and masking on the BAER. These results are discussed in terms of the literature and implications for clinical application and further research. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1989.

The measurement of speech reception threshold (SRT) is best evaluated in an individual's first language. Currently there is a paucity of linguistically matched materials to measure the SRT of Zulu First Language Speakers (ZFLS) in Kwa Zulu-Natal (KZN). Therefore, the present study focused on developing and assessing a Zulu SRT word list for Zulu First language Speakers (ZFLS) in KZN, according to adapted criteria for SRT in Zulu. In addition, the application of the developed list was evaluated. The study therefore followed a two phase methodological framework. Phase one focused on the development and assessment of the word list. Phase two focused on the application of the word list in a normal hearing population from KZN. Phase one of the study was realized within a descriptive survey design and Phase two was realized using a within- participant quasi experimental design. Phase one included aims one and two of the study. Phase two included aim three of the study. However, each aim had several objectives which were realized consecutively. For aim one of the study, three objectives were achieved i.e. for objective one, 131 common bisyllabic words were identified by two Zulu speaking language interpreters and two tertiary educators. Eighty two percent of these words were described as bisyllabic verbs. The outcome of objective two concluded that 58 bisyllabic verbs were rated as being familiar, phonetically dissimilar and low tone verbs by five linguistic experts, using a three point Likert scale. The agreement among the raters was generally good for each criterion, according to the Kendall's co-efficient of concordance at 95% level of confidence. Two objectives were generated to realize aim two of the study. These included, the measurement of homogeneity of audibility of the 58 words selected in aim one and the acoustic analysis of the words. The findings for the homogeneity of audibility were based on a logistic regression analysis. Thirty normal hearing adult ZFLS (18-25 years) participated in this aim of the study. The mean slope of 50% for 28 words was 5.98%/dB. Therefore, 28 words were measured as being most homogenous. The 28 words were also assessed acoustically. The acoustic analysis indicated that the pitch contours confirm the prosodic pattern of the words selected in terms of Zulu linguistic structure, as the majority of the verbs (89%) indicated a difference in the pitch pattern between the two syllables. Furthermore, trends were noted with regard to the energy contours. The acoustical analysis supports the findings of objective one of aim two. For aim three of the study, twenty six normal hearing adult ZFLS, with functional proficiency in English were assessed. The SRT was measured using the developed Zulu SRT word list. In addition, the SRT was measured using the original CIDW2 list. The Pearson product moment correlation co-efficient was utilized for the measurement of the relationship between the SRT (Zulu) and the Pure Tone Average (PTA). Similarly, the Pearson product moment correlation between the SRT (English) and PTA was obtained. A good relationship between the SRT scores and PTA was reported when both lists were used. However, a stronger correlation between the Zulu SRT and PTA (r=.76) than with the English SRT and PTA (r=0.62) were noted. The results in aim one and aim two of the study highlighted the importance of adapting the criteria for SRT to suit the structure of the language. Aim three confirmed this premise as the implication of a stronger correlation may be related to the familiarity of the stimuli to the Zulu First Language Speaker. The study therefore contributed to both research and clinical implications. Some of the important research implications for the study include: the application of the Zulu SRT word list to a varied clinical population with a hearing disorder or loss, the standardization of the developed Zulu SRT word list on a larger sample, the development of SRT materials in other African languages in South Africa. Important clinical implications of the study include that the findings in the study support the need for speech material to be appropriate to the language of the client and the developed SRT word list in Zulu is applicable to adult ZFLS in KZN. / Thesis (M. Audiology)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

Thesis (MAud)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Speech audiometry for diagnostic purposes is widely used by audiologists around the world, but its application is starting to shift more towards rehabilitative purposes for people with hearing impairment. This has created the need for the development of appropriate test materials, including speech-in-noise tests, in the first language of the person undergoing rehabilitation. This document describes a study entailing the first phase in the development of an Afrikaans sentence perception test in noise based on the City University of New York (CUNY) topic-related sentences (Boothroyd, Hanin & Hnath, 1985). The test is called Sinslyste in Afrikaans vir Volwassenes in Lawaai [Sentence lists in Afrikaans for Adults in Noise] (SAV-L). Twenty-seven sentence lists containing 12 sentences each were compiled and evaluated by eight speakers of Afrikaans for their naturalness before they were recorded together with three-talker babble as masking noise. The recorded material was then presented to six groups of ten participants each (with the exception of nine participants in one of the rounds) and adjusted in intensity to improve inter-list reliability. Two scorers were used at intervals to determine inter-rater reliability. Test conditions were also replicated after an interval of six months or more to establish test-retest reliability. In a last round of testing, the test was administered at the intended presentation level to assess the appropriateness of the chosen level. Through adjustment of list intensities, inter-list reliability was improved to a 13.87% variance between list scores. Test-retest reliability showed a bias with an intra-class correlation agreement of 0.859. This was thought to be due to participants’ improved familiarity with the clinical environment over time, however longer term measures of test-retest reliability remains to be done. Inter-rater reliability was very high with an intra-class agreement of 0.999. The intended test level of 50dBHL with a signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of +5dB, was found to be an acceptable fixed SNR. The test can be used in its current form for assessment of amplification candidacy as well as monitoring of progress during rehabilitation. Further research is indicated for the establishment of the sensitivity of the test. It is concluded that just as a clinician is expected to select the most suitable diagnostic test based on the patient’s history, signs and symptoms, so should the audiologist be expected to select the most appropriate rehabilitative measure based on the patient’s communication needs and established treatment goals. The SAV-L is a valuable contribution to the pool of speech perception tests available as rehabilitative measures, and is specifically suitable for adults with well-developed spoken language. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Spraakoudiometrie vir diagnostiese doeleindes word algemeen gebruik deur oudioloë regoor die wêreld, maar die toepassing daarvan is besig om te skuif na rehabilitasie van mense met gehoorgestremdheid. Die behoefte vir die ontwikkeling van geskikte toetsmateriaal, insluitend spraak-in-geraastoetse, in die eerste taal van die persoon wat rehabilitasie ondergaan, het dus begin ontwikkel. Hierdie dokument beskryf ‘n studie wat die eerste fase van die ontwikkeling van a Afrikaanse spraakpersepsietoets in geraas behels. Dit is gebaseer op die City University of New York (CUNY) onderwerp-verwante sinne (Boothroyd, Hanin & Hnath, 1985). Die ontwikkelde toets is benoem Sinslyste in Afrikaans vir Volwassenes in Lawaai (SAV-L). Sewe-en-twintig sinslyste met twaalf sinne per lys is saamgestel en geëvalueer deur ag Afrikaans-sprekende persone om hulle natuurlikheid te bepaal voordat dit opgeneem is tesame met drie-spreker babbel as maskeringsgeraas. Die opgeneemde materiaal is aan ses groepe van tien deelnemers elk aangebied (met die uitsondering van slegs nege deelnemers in een van die rondtes) en aangepas in intensiteit om inter-lys betroubaarheid to verbeter. Twee tellers is van tyd tot tyd gebruik om inter-beoordelaar betroubaarheid te bepaal. Toetskondisies was ook ná ‘n periode van ses maande gereplikeer om toets-hertoets betroubaarheid to bepaal. In ‘n laaste rondte van toetsing was die toets geadministreer teen die beoogde toetsvlak om die geskiktheid van hierdie toetsvlak te bepaal. Inter-lys betroubaarheid is verbeter na ‘n 13.87% variase tussen sinslystellings deur die aanpassing van die intensiteite van die lyste. Toets-hertoets betroubaarheid het ‘n voorkeur met ‘n intra-klas korrelasie ooreenstemming van 0.859 getoon. Hierdie voorkeur was vermoedelik weens die deelnemers se toenemende bekendheid met die kliniese omgewing, alhoewel langer termyn metings nog gedoen moet word om hierdie tendens verder te ondersoek. Inter-beoordelaar betroubaarheid was goed met ‘n intra-klas korrelasie van 0.999. Die beoogde toetsvlak van 50dBGP met ‘n sein-tot-ruis ratio van +5dB is as ‘n geskikte ratio bevind. Die huidige vorm van die toets kan gebruik word vir die evaluasie van kandidaatskap van klankversterking sowel as monitering van vordering tydens rehabilitasie. Verdere navorsing is aangedui vir die bepaling van die toets se sensitiwiteit. Daar is afgelei dat net soos daar van ‘n klinikus verwag word om die mees geskikte diagnostiese toets te kies gebaseer op die pasiënt se geskiedenis, tekens en simptome, net so moet daar van die die oudioloog verwag word om die mees geskikte rehabilitasiemeting te selekteer, gebaseer op die pasiënt se kommunikasiebehoeftes en vasgestelde behandelingsdoelwitte. Die SAV-L is ‘n waardevolle hulpmiddel in die versameling spraakpersepsietoetse wat beskikbaar is vir rehabilitasiemetings en is spesifiek geskik vir volwassenes met goed-ontwikkelde gesproke taal.

Thesis (MScMedSc (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Noise is a noxious stimulus with possible negative physiological effects on the infant, especially in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The present study conducted a detailed noise assessment in a NICU of a state hospital in the Cape Metropole and documented 6 infants’ physiological responses to noise levels. Noise levels ranged from 62.3-66.7dBA (LAeq), which exceed all American and British standards (50dBA -60dBA) for a NICU. Continuous exposure to noise of these levels is potentially harmful to the infants’ auditory system and health stability. The general well-being of the staff working in the NICU may also be compromised. Analysis of the noise events revealed that staff conversations were the largest single contributor to the number of noise events, while the largest single non-human contributor was the alarm noise of the monitors. No significant correlations were found between the heart rates and noise levels and the respiratory rates and the noise levels for any of the participants in either room. The NICU was found to be an extremely reverberant environment, which suggested that the NICU noise levels were largely a result of reverberant noise reinforcements. NICU nursing staff’s most common suggestion for noise abatement strategies was reduction of staff conversation. Results of this study highlight the need for NICU noise abatement to optimise newborn patient care, reduce the risk of acoustic trauma and to improve the neonate’s quality of life, thus enhancing the infant’s physiologic stability, growth and health.