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 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.