Development And Standardization Of A Lip Reading Test In Hindi Language To Detect Pseudo-Hypacusis

Abstract

In its most simplest terms ' non-organic hearing loss means an exaggerated elevation of auditory thresholds'. Martin (1981), has defined the term as 'a n apparent loss of hearing sensitivity without organic pathology, to explain the loss or with insufficient pathology to explain the extent of loss'. Many tests have been developed to aid in the diagnosis of functional or non-organic hearing loss. Some of these tests are: Stenger test, Lombard test, Doerfler Stewart test, etc. (Alberti, 1970). Non-organic hearing loss cases can be identified by the use of a standardized test for lip reading ability (Utley, 1940), often with excellent results. Falconer (1960) also found that, as these patients emphasize their ability to lip read, they would usually submit to a' lip reading test'. Accordingly, Falconer (1966), developed a 'li p reading test' which contains auditory as well as visual stimuli and consists of monosyllabic homophenous words which are nearly impossible to perceive by lip reading alone. The patient however, does not know this and responds in his usual way to sound and vision. Because most of his correct responses are a result of audition, the inadvertently reveals some degree of functional hearing loss, Goldman (1971), administered this test to different groups of patients and concluded that, the test helps to determine organic hearing levels definitely, while exposing the functional problem without obviously indicating to the subject that he has been caught. Subba Rao (1981), constructed a lip reading test in Kannada language and found it to be of great use in predicting SRT which very closely corresponded to the true SRT.