CONTENT VALIDATION THROUGH EXPERT JUDGMENT OF DIGITIZED BISYLLABIC WORD LISTS FOR SPEECH AUDIOMETRY IN CHILEAN SPANISH

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Speech audiometry is a fundamental component of audiological assessment, as it allows the evaluation of functional auditory performance in response to speech stimuli. The use of recorded word lists has been proposed as a methodological alternative to live voice presentation, aiming to reduce examiner-related variability and improve stimulus standardization. The aim of this study was to validate, through expert judgment, digitally recorded bisyllabic word lists in Chilean Spanish for use in clinical speech audiometry.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A structured questionnaire was developed to assess four dimensions: phonetic relevance and representativeness, lexical familiarity, clarity and absence of ambiguity, and technical adequacy. Ten experts in audiology and clinical speech-language pathology evaluated three word lists using a five-point Likert scale. Content validity and inter-rater reliability were examined using the Content Validity Coefficient (CVC) and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), respectively.

RESULTS

Results showed an excellent global content validity (CVC = 0.92), with high values across all evaluated dimensions (CVC = 0.90–0.94). Inter-rater agreement was also excellent (ICC = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.87–0.94). Qualitative comments supported the phonetic and technical adequacy of the material, identifying only minor suggestions for future refinements.

CONCLUSIONS

The digitally recorded word lists demonstrate strong content validity and high inter-examiner reliability, supporting their use in clinical speech audiometry and their subsequent psychometric evaluation in adult populations.