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

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Title: A Novel Computerized Approach to Constructing Speech Audiometry Materials: Development of a Perceptually Balanced Hebrew Word Recognition Test.
Authors: Horev, Nitza1,2 Nitzahorev@gmail.com, Putter-Katz, Hanna1
Source: Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research. Jul2026, Vol. 69 Issue 7, p3417-3436. 20p.
Subject Terms: *Language & languages, *Computers, *Data analysis, *Research methodology evaluation, *Consonants, *Experimental design, *Speech audiometry, *Research methodology, *Speech perception, *Algorithms, Noise control, Pearson correlation (Statistics), Vowels, T-test (Statistics), Questionnaires, Signal processing, Analysis of variance, Statistics, One-way analysis of variance, Hearing levels, Calibration, Data analysis software, Phonetics, Transducers, Regression analysis
Abstract: 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Education Research Complete
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Abstract: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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:10924388
DOI:10.1044/2026_JSLHR-25-00933