Developing Speech Tests for Audiological Assessment of Roma Children

This study addresses the issue of speech data design for the development of Romani language tests to assess the hearing abilities of preschool and primary school children in eastern Slovakia. By mapping the vocabulary of Romani words used in specific regions (Košice, Jarovnice, Bardejov), we aimed to identify the most suitable speech stimuli for audiometry. Our goal was to ensure accurate hearing evaluations by selecting words familiar to children. The work brings information directly from the course of testing and interaction with children without hearing impairment in normal conditions of educational and leisure institutions in Slovakia. We considered the linguistic differences between Romani and the majority population and emphasized the importance of native language testing for accurate hearing assessment. Based on the experience we have gained, this study contributes to the understanding of speech perception in Romani and provides practical recommendations for improving the assessment and intervention for children with hearing impairments not only in Romani-speaking communities.