Tone detection in mandarin-speaking hearing-impaired subjects
Journal
International Journal of Audiology
Journal Volume
39
Journal Issue
2
Pages
106-109
Date Issued
2000
Author(s)
Abstract
The ability of native Mandarin-speaking, hearing-impaired subjects to detect Mandarin tones was assessed in this study. Nine subjects with mild sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and nine subjects with moderate SNHL participated in the study. Nine normal subjects served as control. All subjects received a tone detection test and Chinese word recognition test. The results show that tone detection was only minimally impaired in the mild SNHL group if audibility of the stimulus is well compensated for. In the moderate SNHL group, the mean score was significantly lower, but the difference was small. This suggests that tone detection is only slightly impaired for subjects with moderate hearing loss. For each individual tone, the mean scores for tones 2 and 3 were lowest and most easily confused by all normal and hearing-impaired subjects. No significant correlation was found between the tone detection score and word recognition score for all subjects. The relatively preserved ability to perceive tones in mild and moderate SNHL subjects may be helpful in their speech recognition. ? 2000, Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.
Subjects
Hearing impairment; Mandarin; Tone detection
Other Subjects
adolescent; adult; article; Chinese; clinical article; controlled study; female; human; loudness; male; perception deafness; priority journal; speech audiometry; word recognition; Adolescent; Adult; Female; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Humans; Language; Male; Middle Aged; Severity of Illness Index; Speech Perception
Type
journal article