Influence of Semantic Context on Speech-in-Noise Performance: Evaluating the Quick Speech-in-Noise Test

Respondents to the QuickSIN use semantic context to facilitate processing especially at less favorable SNR levels, which is consistent with research supporting a greater role of semantic information during suboptimal listening conditions. Differences in context use across noise conditions means test performance also reflects language processing and should be considered for updated tests of speech-in-noise performance. Critically, responses to sentences at the +20 dB SNR used in the QuickSIN are so inconsistently varied in their degree of semantic usage as to prohibit a clinical interpretation alongside the other conditions. These findings warrant the development of a quick-to-administer SIN test with stimuli that are balanced for semantic expectancy to avoid language effects.