What does the "cold-running speech" refer to in hearing assessments?

The term "cold-running speech" refers to a specific type of test material used in hearing assessments. This material typically involves a series of phonetically balanced speech samples that are presented in a continuous manner without pauses, which allows for the evaluation of a person’s ability to understand speech in a more naturalistic context. Such testing is important for determining how well an individual can follow conversation in real-life situations, beyond just recognizing isolated words or tones.

Using cold-running speech in assessments provides insights into speech discrimination abilities and the functional impact of hearing loss on communication. It helps audiologists to gauge how well a patient might perform in everyday listening environments, which is critical in selecting appropriate hearing aids or intervention strategies tailored to individual needs.