Best practices dictate that speech audiometry should be conducted using what method?

Conducting speech audiometry using recorded and calibrated standard speech lists delivered through insert earphones is considered a best practice because this method provides the most accurate and consistent results. Recorded speech materials are produced in a controlled environment, ensuring that the speech sound is of a constant quality and intelligibility across different testing sessions. This is crucial in obtaining reliable threshold measurements for speech recognition, as fluctuations in voice quality or volume when using live voice can introduce variability that may affect the outcome.

Additionally, utilizing insert earphones minimizes issues such as ambient noise interference, which can distort the presentation of speech sounds. Insert earphones also fit securely in the ear canal, helping to enhance the clarity of the speech signals being presented, facilitating a better assessment of the listener's speech perception abilities.

This method is standardized, meaning it adheres to established protocols that have been validated through research, thereby contributing to the reliability of speech audiometry outcomes.