A SCREENING PICTURE SPEECH IDENTIFICATION TEST FOR NEPALI SPEAKING CHILDREN

Abstract

Objective:

The objective of the present study was to develop screening monosyllabic picture speech identification test for the children speaking Nepali language.

Material and Methods:

A prospective study was conducted in speech and hearing unit, Ganesh Man Singh Memorial Academy of ENT and Head and Neck Studies, Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal from feb 2006 to august 2006. 30 Nepali speaking children of age group 5-6 years were chosen for the study. A list of CVC monosyllabic Nepali words were constructed in which words were selected within the vocabulary of 5 to 6 years old children. A commercial artist drew the black and white pictures of each word in consultation with the author. After construction of the material, monosyllabic words were presented through the audiometer at 40 dB. The study was conducted in a sound treated two room setup.

Results:

A picture speech identification test was constructed for assessing hearing ability of the children of age 5-6 years.

Conclusion:

At present, no test material is available for assessing speech identification in children of 5-6years age in Nepali. A picture speech identification test was constructed using phonemically balanced monosyllabic words.  A criterion measurement cut-off point of 95 % was considered, to make the pass-fail decision. This test can be used to evaluate hearing ability of the children for early identification and rehabilitation.

Keywords: Monosyllabic, speech identification test