Familiar Sounds Audiogram

This is a really good example for explaining the hearing levels of every day sounds.

Speech Banana

In the middle of the audiogram there is a part called the “Speech Banana.” Most of the sounds of speech fall into that range of pitches and loudness.

Our goal for Isobel is for her to be able to hear in or above the Speech Banana with her hearing aid and cochlear implant, that way giving her access to the sounds of speech.

In the speech banana, are the sounds a, u, i, sh, s, m, these are called the Ling Six Sounds. These sounds span the length of the Speech Banana.

When Isobel (hopefully) responds (through a behavioural response or imitation) to a Ling Six Sound Check, we can be reasonably sure that she has access to all of the sounds of speech. Having access to all the sounds of speech means she will be able to develop her own speech.