The Children’s English/Spanish Speech Recognition Test (ChEgSS): Feasibility, Reliability, and Normative data

The Children’s English/Spanish Speech Recognition Test (ChEgSS) is a computer-based tool for assessing closed-set word recognition in either speech-shaped noise or two-talker speech. Instructions and stimuli are recorded in both languages, and listeners respond by pointing to the picture depicting the word that they heard. Preliminary clinical feasibility and reliability data will be presented, along with age norms for children (4.1–17.0 yrs) who are either English monolinguals (n = 89) or Spanish/English bilinguals (n = 83). Results obtained with the two maskers will be evaluated with respect to age, language group, and receptive vocabulary. SRTs in English were higher in two-talker speech than speech-shaped noise and were 1.7dB lower for monolinguals than bilinguals for both maskers. SRTs were lower in English than Spanish for bilinguals in noise but not significantly different in speech. Consistent with prior research, SRTs in both languages improved with age; effects of age were more pronounced and prolonged in two-talker speech than in speech-shaped noise. The mean discrepancy between replicate estimates of SRT in English were 1.8 dB in noise and 3.1 in two-talker speech. Overall, these results suggest ChEgSS may be a valuable tool for clinical assessment of masked speech perception in children.