Application of Arabic BKB (Bamford-Kowal-Bench Speech-in-Noise test) in children with sensorineural hearing loss using hearing aids and cochlear implants

Abstract

Abstract Background The importance of speech-in-noise tests is growing as more and more audiologists see the value in outcome measurements that prove amplification is necessary and beneficial. The Bamford-Kowal-Bench Speech-in-Noise (BKB-SIN) test is one of the most widely used adaptive speech-in-noise tests. This work aimed to compare speech-in-noise tests in children with sensorineural hearing loss using HA or CI, using Arabic BKB-SIN. Results The performance of the Arabic BKB test in children with HA was higher than that of children with CI. Results revealed a significant correlation between the BKB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss and the onset of amplification among study subgroups. Conclusions Children who utilized HA had an advantage over those who utilized CI when it came to speech-in-noise perception, based on Arabic BKB test results. In the HA subgroup (IIa), 70% of the children had mild BKB-SNR loss, while in the CI subgroup (IIb) 75% had moderate BKB-SNR loss.