Revised Speech In Noise (RSIN)

What is it?

The SIN (Speech in Noise) Test, developed by Killion and Villchur (1993), can be used to compare speech understanding between hearing aids. The test requires the listener to identify key words presented in sentences. In this revised version of the test, the RSIN Test, sentences have been reallocated to improve equivalence across test blocks from the original test. Additionally, test blocks are combined into sets of two, called Modified Dual Blocks (MDBs), in order to increase reliability.

The RSIN is composed of four MDBs of test sentences. Unused original test material is employed for practice. The RSIN test capitalizes on the advantages of the SIN Test while obtaining more reliable and sensitive data. However, these advantages are obtained at the price of additional test time. Therefore, the RSIN test is probably more suited to research applications than to clinical ones.

The SIN Test audio compact disk is required for test administration. On this CD, test sentences were recorded at “soft” and “loud” levels 30 dB apart. Each of these levels is presented at four signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) with multi-talker babble as the background noise. With appropriate calibration and equipment set-up, these “soft” (L-sens) and “loud” (H-sens) sentences can be presented at whatever presentation level and/or relationship the tester requires. The levels used for testing can then be recorded in the RSIN program’s data file.

How do I get it?

References

Cox, R.M., Gray, G.A., and Alexander, G.C. “Evaluation of a revised speech in noise (RSIN) Test” JAAA, 12(8): 423-432, 2001.

Bentler, R.A. “List equivalency and test-retest reliability of the Speech in Noise Test.” American Journal of Audiology 9(2): 84-100, 2000.

Killion, M.C. and Villchur, E. “Kessler was right – partly: But SIN test shows some aids improve hearing in noise.” Hearing Journal 46(9): 31-35, 1993.