BS EN ISO 8253-3:2022

What is ISO 8253-3 - Speech audiometric test methods about?  

ISO 8253-3 is an international organisation for standardization that specifies basic methods for speech recognition tests for audiological applications.  

To ensure minimum requirements of precision and comparability between different test procedures including speech recognition tests in different languages, ISO 8253-3 specifies requirements for the composition, validation, and evaluation of speech test materials, and the realization of speech recognition tests. ISO 8253-3 does not specify the contents of the speech material because of the variety of languages. 

ISO 8253-3 also specifies the determination of reference values and requirements for the realization and manner of presentation. In addition, there are features of speech tests described which are important to be specified, but which are not understood as a requirement. ISO 8253-3 specifies procedures and requirements for speech audiometry with the recorded test material being presented by an audiometer through a transducer, e.g., an earphone, bone vibrator, or loudspeaker arrangement for sound field audiometry. Methods for using noise either for masking the non-test ear or as a competing sound are described.  

Note 1: Some test subjects, for example, children, can require modified test procedures not specified in ISO 8253-3. 

Note 2: Specialized tests, such as those used for evaluating directional hearing and dichotic hearing, are outside the scope of ISO 8253-3. 

Who is ISO 8253-3 - Speech audiometric test methods for? 

ISO 8253-3 on speech audiometric test methods is useful for: 

• The medical industry 
• Audiologists 
• Audiometric equipment manufacturers/suppliers 
• Audiometry maintenance personnel 
• Quality assurance personnel 

Why should you use ISO 8253-3 - Speech audiometric test methods?  

Speech audiometry is used for the assessment of hearing in connection with diagnostic evaluation and audiological rehabilitation. The results of speech audiometry depend on the speech material and test method used.  

ISO 8253-3 provides its users with the conditions for speech materials in order to ensure minimum requirements of precision and comparability between different tests using different speech materials including materials in different languages. ISO 8253-3 also specifies procedures to be used when testing speech recognition.  

Using ISO 8253-3 guidelines ensures safety and protection, reliability and credibility to its users.  

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN ISO 8253-3:2022 supersedes ISO 8253-3:2012, which is withdrawn. BS EN ISO 8253-3:2022 includes some technical changes with respect to ISO 8253-3:2012. These include:  

• The technical requirements for recording speech material were adapted to recent equipment and technology 
• The determination of reference speech recognition curves was revised. An annex that gives advice on how to determine the minimum number of subjects was introduced 
• The determination of speech recognition threshold levels is described in a more general manner 
• Symbols for the graphical representation of speech audiometry results were introduced