After performing a thorough hearing evaluation, special attention should be given to the intelligibility or word discrimination score.

1. Speech Discrimination Uncovered
After performing a thorough hearing
evaluation, special attention should be
given to the intelligibility or word
discrimination score. The score recorded
directly relates to the individual’s ability
to understand words presented to them
on an aided (amplified) basis. In other
words, when the individual is being tested they are given enough
amplification through the headset to compensate for their hearing
loss.
There are various ways to improve intelligibility and all require a
bit of effort. A sure way to strengthen your score is to buy a
favorite book on Cassette or CD along with a copy of the book to
read along while the cassette or CD is playing. Another way, is to
read out loud or have someone read out loud to you. Both of
these strategies will allow the individual to hear the words
properly pronounced and visualize them at the same time.
The mind needs to be re-taught how certain words (at different
frequencies) are supposed to sound. As long as the individual is
using the proper hearing instrument along with this kind of
therapy, it will just be a matter of time until their word
discrimination score improves. For some, this may take weeks,
and for others it may take several months, even with the help of
the most advanced and effective hearing aids. The longer the
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2. brain has gone without sufficient speech stimulation, the longer it
likely will take for the brain to re-learn the sounds of speech
again. Patience while re-learning speech will in most cases payoff
with great dividends.
Speech Discrimination / Word Discrimination Scores
Explained
90-100% Normal word understanding ability
76-88% Slight difficulty
62-74% Moderate difficulty
50-60% Poor understanding, great difficulty
Below 50% Very poor understanding ability. Listener is probably
unable to understand speech, even at normal conversation levels
or environments.
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