The Effect of Dialect and Accent on Digit Perception in Noise in Young Listeners With Normal Hearing.

Abstract

Purpose: Dialect and accent factors can impact speech-in-noise testing outcomes. This study investigated these effects on the Integrated Digit-in-Noise (iDIN) test among young adults with normal hearing.

Method: Dialects involve variations in grammar, vocabulary, and syntax, while accents influence only pronunciation, reflecting geographical or social origins. In Study 1, which examined dialect effects, 33 participants-all native speakers of Mandarin and various Wu dialects except Ningboese-underwent iDIN testing in both Ningboese and Mandarin (as a reference condition). In Study 2, which focused on accent effects, 39 participants-all native speakers of Mandarin and Ningboese, including 19 standard Ningboese and 20 accented Ningboese speakers -underwent iDIN testing in both Mandarin and standard Ningboese at fixed signal-to-noise ratio and adaptive measurements.

Results: In Study 1, the results revealed statistically significant differences between the Mandarin and Ningboese iDIN results across all conditions except for the 2-digit sequences. In Study 2, the results showed no significant differences in 3-digit SRTs between standard and accented Ningboese speakers, but a significant difference in 5-digit SRTs.

Conclusions: In Mainland China or other regions with high linguistic diversity, accounting for dialect and accent exposure is crucial in evaluating speech recognition, and a 2-digit DIN may be more suitable for valid hearing screening.