Remote collection of speech recognition data: Considerations for testing children

This talk will provide an overview of the methods and lessons learned over the course of three studies in which children’s masked speech recognition performance was assessed remotely. The first study evaluated the binaural intelligibility level difference in typically developing children using families’ personal computers and headphones. The second study examined the impact of face coverings on consonant identification in noise with and without access to visual cues. Participants were children with and without hearing loss. The third experiment evaluated the feasibility of remote speech recognition testing for children with Down syndrome. The latter two experiments entailed providing families with laboratory hardware, following appropriate social distancing and infection control measures. Findings from all three studies will be discussed, highlighting comparisons with data obtained in the laboratory. Recommendations for remote studies involving children will be provided, based on our experiences and the resultant data.