[Comparison of the Göttingen sentence test and the monosyllabic rhyme test by von Wallenberg and Kollmeier with the Freiburg speech test : Investigation in a clinically representative group of listeners].

BACKGROUND: In a previous study [12] we compared the Freiburg speech test (number test and monosyllabic test) with the Göttingen sentence test and the monosyllabic rhyme test developed by von Wallenberg and Kollmeier. For a small group of participants we were able to demonstrate that the often criticized Freiburg speech test could be replaced by more modern test procedures. In the current study we verified this for a larger and more heterogeneous group of participants.
METHOD: A total of 145 participants with hearing impairments were tested with the Freiburg speech test and the modern procedures. Both monosyllabic tests were carried out at three different presentation levels. Based on the findings of the previous study the monosyllabic rhyme test was performed in each case with a presentation level reduced by 15 dB relative to the Freiburg monosyllabic test levels.
RESULTS: The feasibility to replace both parts of the Freiburg speech test by more modern test procedures could be confirmed. The comparison of both monosyllabic tests showed that a reduction in the presentation level by 20 dB for the monosyllabic rhyme test would be most appropriate to achieve on average the same results with both procedures.