Study of word-in-noise perception scores at saccular acoustic sensitivity level: randomized clinical trial

In humans, saccular acoustic sensitivity has been confirmed. The aim of this study was to determine the scores of the word-in-noise perception test at the saccular acoustic sensitivity level. In this randomized clinical trial study, 101 participants in the age group of 14 to 25 years with normal hearing and middle ear function, detectable vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), normal states of mental health, and night sleep were investigated. The scores of word-in-noise perception and word-in-noise discrimination tests were evaluated for each person at two intensity levels, most comfortable level (MCL) and saccular acoustic sensitivity. Mann-Whitney was used for the multiple comparisons. There was a significant difference between the scores of the word-in-noise perception test at MCL and saccular acoustic sensitivity (U = 3971.50, Z = − 2.10, p’ = 0.04), and also between the scores of the word-in-noise discrimination test at the MCL compared to saccular acoustic sensitivity (U = 399.89, Z = − 2.49, p’ = 0.04). Word-in-noise discrimination scores in MCL (U = 3484.00, Z = -3.72, p’ = 0.00) and saccular acoustic sensitivity (U = 705.50, Z = − 3.78, p’ = 0.00) were higher than word-in-noise perception. Word-in-noise perception and word-in-noise discrimination scores are higher in saccular acoustic sensitivity level than MCL, suggesting that the vestibular system participates in loud speech perception. Also, in people with normal hearing thresholds, word-in-noise perception scores will be lower than word-in-noise discrimination scores for both loud and common intensity levels.