“I can hear you, but the words aren’t clear”: how speech audiometry can help

Have you ever been able to hear someone speaking but struggled to understand what they were saying? Maybe conversations sound muffled, you frequently ask people to repeat themselves, or you find it particularly difficult to follow conversations in busy restaurants or family gatherings.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people experience difficulty understanding speech, even when they can hear sounds around them.

That’s because hearing sounds and understanding speech are two different things.

At Hear & Co, our modern, independent hearing clinic in Ancaster, we believe that understanding how you hear is just as important as identifying what you can hear. One way hearing care professionals assess this difference is through a test called speech audiometry.

What is speech audiometry?

Speech audiometry is a type of hearing assessment that measures how well you can hear and understand spoken words.

Unlike a traditional hearing test, which measures your ability to detect sounds at different pitches and volumes, speech audiometry focuses on how clearly you recognize and understand speech.

For example, you might hear someone talking from across the room but have trouble distinguishing between words that sound similar. Or you may hear every word of a conversation but struggle to put the words together when background noise is present.

Speech audiometry can help hearing care professionals better understand these challenges and determine how hearing difficulties may be affecting your everyday communication.

Why can you hear someone talking but not understand their words?

One of the most common complaints among people experiencing hearing difficulties is, “I can hear you, but I can’t understand what you’re saying.”

There are several reasons this can happen.

• High-frequency hearing loss: Certain speech sounds, particularly consonants such as “s,” “f,” and “th,” occur at higher frequencies. When these sounds become difficult to hear, words may seem incomplete or unclear.
• Difficulty hearing in background noise: Restaurants, social gatherings, and other noisy environments can make it harder to distinguish speech from surrounding sounds.
• Changes in the inner ear: Age-related hearing loss and prolonged noise exposure can affect how accurately the auditory system detects and transmits speech information.
• Other hearing or auditory processing difficulties: Sometimes, understanding speech can be challenging even when basic hearing thresholds appear relatively normal. Additional testing may be needed to identify the cause.

These difficulties can develop gradually, making them easy to overlook until they begin interfering with conversations, relationships, or daily activities.

How does speech audiometry work?

Speech audiometry is generally a straightforward, non-invasive assessment performed as part of a comprehensive hearing evaluation.

During testing, you may be asked to listen to spoken words through headphones and repeat what you hear. The hearing care professional adjusts the volume or changes the words presented to evaluate different aspects of your hearing.

Two common measurements include:

Speech reception threshold (SRT)

This measures the softest level at which you can correctly recognize familiar spoken words approximately half the time.

It helps determine how quietly speech can be presented while still remaining understandable.

Word recognition testing

Also known as speech discrimination testing, this measures how accurately you recognize individual words when they are presented at an appropriate listening level.

For example, you might hear a series of words and be asked to repeat each one. Your results are expressed as a percentage based on how many words you identify correctly.

This helps determine whether increasing the volume of speech is likely to improve your understanding or whether additional hearing support may be beneficial.

Depending on your hearing concerns, additional assessments may be recommended, including testing your ability to understand speech in background noise.

What can speech audiometry tell you about your hearing?

Speech audiometry provides valuable information that a traditional pure-tone hearing test alone may not reveal.

The results can help hearing care professionals:

• Understand how well you recognize and interpret spoken words.
• Identify differences between hearing sounds and understanding speech.
• Evaluate how hearing difficulties may affect everyday conversations.
• Determine whether further hearing assessments are necessary.
• Guide recommendations for hearing aids or other communication strategies.

Together with other hearing assessments, these results provide a more complete picture of your hearing health.

How speech audiometry can help with hearing aids

If you have hearing loss, speech audiometry can provide useful information when exploring hearing aid options.

Modern hearing aids do much more than simply make sounds louder. Many include advanced technology designed to improve access to speech, manage background noise, and adapt to different listening environments.

However, louder doesn’t always mean clearer.

Understanding your speech recognition abilities can help hearing care professionals recommend appropriate technology, personalize hearing aid settings, and establish realistic expectations about the improvements you may experience.

At Hear & Co, we offer personalized hearing care and access to hearing aids from multiple manufacturers, allowing recommendations to be based on your individual hearing needs rather than a single brand.

If you’re considering hearing aids, you can also explore our hearing aid funding and insurance options to learn more about available financial assistance.

Why understanding speech matters for your overall well-being

Difficulty understanding conversations can affect much more than your hearing.

When following conversations becomes challenging, people may begin avoiding social gatherings, withdrawing from group discussions, or feeling frustrated when communicating with family and friends.

Over time, these communication difficulties can contribute to feelings of isolation and reduced confidence in social situations.

Research has also identified an association between hearing loss and cognitive decline, although the relationship is complex and hearing loss does not mean someone will develop dementia.

To learn more about this connection, read our article on hearing loss and dementia.

Recognizing hearing difficulties early and seeking appropriate care can help you stay engaged in the conversations and activities that matter most.

When should you consider a hearing assessment?

You may benefit from a professional hearing assessment if you regularly experience any of the following:

• You can hear people talking but struggle to understand their words.
• You frequently ask others to repeat themselves.
• Conversations become difficult in restaurants or other noisy environments.
• You feel that people are mumbling.
• You have trouble following conversations involving multiple speakers.
• You need to increase the television volume to understand dialogue.
• You feel mentally exhausted after trying to follow conversations.

Even if you believe your hearing is generally good, difficulties understanding speech are worth discussing with a hearing care professional. Learn more about the signs of hearing loss.

Sudden changes in hearing, particularly in one ear, should be assessed urgently rather than waiting for a routine hearing appointment.

Personalized hearing care at Hear & Co in Ancaster

At Hear & Co, we understand that hearing difficulties are personal and that no two people experience hearing loss in exactly the same way.

Our Hearing Instrument Specialist, Mackenzie Walsh, takes the time to understand your concerns, explain your hearing results, and recommend appropriate next steps based on your individual needs.

Whether you’re struggling to follow conversations, exploring hearing aid options, or simply want a better understanding of your hearing health, we’re here to help.

Depending on your concerns and the assessment required, additional testing or referral to another hearing healthcare professional may be recommended.

Book a hearing appointment in Ancaster

If you find yourself saying, “I can hear you, but I can’t understand you,” it may be time to take a closer look at your hearing.

At Hear & Co, we’re committed to helping residents of Ancaster, Hamilton, and surrounding communities access personalized, professional hearing care.

Book your hearing appointment online or learn more about our hearing services. You can also call 289-246-8005.

Hear & Co: helping you hear more clearly and stay connected to what matters.

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