Communication is the cornerstone of human interaction and community. In the rich tapestry of human communication, speech is a vibrant thread that weaves together our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. However, for individuals with hearing loss, this thread can fray or tangle, making it hard to understand spoken words. The “speech banana” is a helpful way to visualize the range of sounds crucial for understanding speech, and it sheds light on how hearing loss impacts communication. In this blog, in honour of Speech and Hearing Month, we’ll explain the speech banana and how speech impacts your hearing.
Understanding the Speech Banana
Picture an audiogram showing a banana-shaped curve (see photo below). This represents the spectrum of sounds humans use for speech. From the deep, low tones of vowels (left side) to the crisp high-pitch sounds of consonants (right side), every sound has its place in this banana-shaped zone.
https://helpmehear.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Audiogram-Chart.pdf
Speech in Hearing Loss
When someone has hearing loss, regions of the speech banana can be impacted. Certain sounds become unclear or even silent. For example, if someone has high-frequency hearing loss, a common experience for those who work in noise or due to aging, they will have difficulty hearing sounds like /f, s, th/. This can make understanding speech tough:
1. Vowels vs. Consonants:
Vowels, as they are in the lower frequencies, are usually easier to hear even in cases of mild to moderate hearing loss. But consonants, which are higher frequency and carry a lot of meaning, can get muffled or lost completely. This blurs speech and makes it hard to tell similar-sounding words apart. This could be the difference between hearing the word thin or fin… you might hear the ‘in’ part, but have to guess at the first sound in the word.
2. Mixing Up Words:
Hearing loss can make it tricky to tell words apart, especially when they differ by just one sound. Without clear cues, people might rely on context or lip-reading, leading to misunderstandings.
3. Tonal Nuances:
Hearing loss doesn’t just affect words—it can also make it hard to catch emotional tones or subtle hints in speech. This can make socializing tough and strain relationships.
4. Fatigue and Cognitive Load:
Struggling to hear in noisy places or conversations where you have to guess most of the words can be exhausting. People with hearing loss often have to work extra hard to understand, which can wear them out.
Finding Solutions
Despite the challenges posed by hearing loss, advancements in technology and interventions offer avenues for enhancing speech comprehension and quality of life. These include technology like hearing aids and assistive devices. Modern devices can amplify important speech sounds while reducing background noise, making speech clearer. In addition to these, assistive devices that work with hearing aids transmit sound straight to hearing devices, cutting out distractions. They’re handy in schools, workplaces, and busy places.
Therapy, education, and advocating support can also be helpful tools to improve listening enviornments, teach strategies for better communication, and bring awarness in creating hearing inclusive environments.
Conclusion
In the intricate fabric of communication, the speech banana reminds us how hearing loss can affect understanding. But with technology, support, and understanding, we can bridge the gap between silence and communication, making the world a more inclusive place for everyone.
If you or a loved on are concerned that you may not be hearing certain sounds anymore, please call us to schedule an appointment.
We’d be happy to help and explain how reductions in the speech banana may be impacting your communication needs.
