Knowledge Assessment Regarding Pure Tone Audiometry Interpretation Among Speech-Language Pathology/Therapy Professionals

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Published: 2026-06-01
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/22jy7r98
Keywords:
Pure tone audiometry; hearing loss; speech-language pathology; audiogram interpretation; speech sound deficiency; therapy needs.

Main Article Content

Sana Ali
MS Speech and Language Pathology and Hearing Sciences, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Anum Ashraf
Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Ruqqia Bano
House Officer, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Pure tone audiometry is a fundamental clinical tool for identifying hearing thresholds and classifying hearing-loss severity, but its effective use in rehabilitation requires professionals to interpret both audiometric severity and its functional implications for speech perception and therapy planning. Objective: This study aimed to assess knowledge regarding pure tone audiometry interpretation among speech-language pathology/therapy professionals, with specific focus on hearing-loss severity identification, speech sound deficiency identification, and therapy-needs recognition. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 58 speech-language pathology/therapy professionals. Data were collected using a structured knowledge assessment form covering four hearing-loss categories: mild, moderate, severe, and profound hearing loss. Correct responses were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages across three knowledge domains. Results: Most participants were female 47 (81.0%), aged 20–30 years 47 (81.0%) and working in school settings 49 (84.5%). Domain-wise performance was highest for therapy needs identification, with 201/232 correct responses (86.6%), followed by severity identification with 172/232 correct responses (74.1%). Speech sound deficiency identification was weakest, with only 68/232 correct responses (29.3%). The overall knowledge score was 441/696 (63.4%). Conclusion: Participants demonstrated reasonable knowledge of therapy needs and severity classification but had substantial difficulty identifying speech sound deficiencies associated with hearing-loss categories. Targeted training is needed to improve functional audiogram interpretation and strengthen clinically applied decision-making.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 11 (2026): Volume 4, Issue 11 (June 2026)

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Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

1.
Sana Ali, Anum Ashraf, Ruqqia Bano. Knowledge Assessment Regarding Pure Tone Audiometry Interpretation Among Speech-Language Pathology/Therapy Professionals. JHWCR [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1 [cited 2026 Jun. 1];4(11):1-10. Available from: https://www.jhwcr.com/index.php/jhwcr/article/view/1677

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