Development of phonologically-balanced and perceptually equivalent Singapore Mandarin word lists for word recognition test

Background Word recognition tests must be conducted in the native language of listener to obtain valid word scores. Existing Singapore Mandarin speech audiometry test materials that are disyllabic lack sensitivity and not phonologically balanced. Objective The purpose this study was address those limitations develop a set lists for testing speakers Mandarin. Methods were developed over three phases. (1) Frequently occurring words chosen from database consisting subtitles local programmes, subjected familiarity rating by 50 speakers. (2) Phonologically balanced created professionally recorded using rated as familiar phase 1. (3) Psychometric curves obtained 20 normal-hearing analysed perceptual equivalence. Results Sixteen 25 monosyllables each 2. Eight 16 found perceptually equivalent. Conclusion addressed existing materials. need validated with hearing-impaired before they can used clinically.