A Novel Computerized Approach to Constructing Speech Audiometry Materials: Development of a Perceptually Balanced Hebrew Word Recognition Test.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to introduce and validate a novel computerized approach for constructing equivalent word lists for speech recognition testing and to demonstrate this methodology through the development of consonant–vowel–consonant (CVC) word lists in Hebrew. Method: The study...

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Publicado en:Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research Vol. 69; no. 7; pp. 3417 - 3437
Autores principales: Horev, Nitza, Putter-Katz, Hanna
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Jul2026
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jul2026
      vid: 69
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      pub: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
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        10.1044/2026_JSLHR-25-00933
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        atl: A Novel Computerized Approach to Constructing Speech Audiometry Materials: Development of a Perceptually Balanced Hebrew Word Recognition Test.
      aug:
        au:
          Horev, Nitza
          Putter-Katz, Hanna
        affil:
          Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Health Professions, Ono Academic College, Israel.
          Speech and Hearing Unit, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
      su:
        Noise control
        Language & languages
        Computers
        Analysis of variance
        Phonetics
        Pearson correlation (Statistics)
        Vowels
        T-test (Statistics)
        Data analysis
        Research methodology evaluation
        Questionnaires
        Consonants
        Signal processing
        Experimental design
        Speech audiometry
        Research methodology
        Statistics
        One-way analysis of variance
        Speech perception
        Hearing levels
        Calibration
        Data analysis software
        Algorithms
        Transducers
        Regression analysis
      sug:
        subj:
          Noise control
          Language & languages
          Computers
          Analysis of variance
          Phonetics
          Computer and software stores
          Electronics Stores
          Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers
          Electronic Computer Manufacturing
          Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing
          Computer, computer peripheral and pre-packaged software merchant wholesalers
          Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing
          Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
          Pearson correlation (Statistics)
          Vowels
          T-test (Statistics)
          Data analysis
          Research methodology evaluation
          Questionnaires
          Consonants
          Signal processing
          Experimental design
          Speech audiometry
          Research methodology
          Statistics
          One-way analysis of variance
          Speech perception
          Hearing levels
          Calibration
          Data analysis software
          Algorithms
          Transducers
          Regression analysis
      ab: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to introduce and validate a novel computerized approach for constructing equivalent word lists for speech recognition testing and to demonstrate this methodology through the development of consonant–vowel–consonant (CVC) word lists in Hebrew. Method: The study was conducted in three phases. Phase 1 empirically quantified word difficulty (50% recognition threshold in noise) for 275 Hebrew CVC words among 60 normal-hearing listeners. Phase 2 utilized a custom Python optimization algorithm to allocate 200 words into eight 25-word lists and four 50-word sets. The algorithm simultaneously balanced multiple variables, including perceptual difficulty (50% point), phonemic distribution, and word familiarity. Phase 3 empirically validated the lists’ equivalency for speech recognition in quiet among 120 normal-hearing listeners by establishing performance–intensity functions. Results: The optimization algorithm successfully generated balanced lists. Validation analyses of speech recognition scores in quiet (analyses of variances) demonstrated robust interlist equivalency; no statistically significant differences were found among the 25-word lists or 50-word sets at any of the presentation levels tested. The lists exhibited homogeneous psychometric functions (e.g., mean slope of 4.64%/dB for 50-word sets) consistent with international standards. Conclusions: A comprehensive set of Hebrew speech recognition test materials was successfully developed and validated. The novel methodology, integrating empirical difficulty measurement with computational optimization, proved effective. This approach provides a systematic, objective, and replicable model for developing standardized speech recognition tests across diverse languages.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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