What type of words is primarily used in Speech Recognition Threshold (SRT) testing?

In Speech Recognition Threshold (SRT) testing, spondees, which are two-syllable compound words, are primarily used. This choice is appropriate because spondees are generally easier for individuals to hear and recognize, making them ideal for establishing a baseline hearing threshold. Spondees consist of words like "baseball," "hotdog," or "bookend," where each syllable is equally stressed, allowing for a clearer presentation of speech recognition ability. This testing method emphasizes thresholds where speech can be understood rather than just detected, thus providing a more comprehensive insight into a person's hearing capability.

The use of spondees helps audiologists determine the lowest level at which a person can recognize speech comfortably. They are specifically designed to capture the nuances of a person's auditory processing, making them significantly more effective for this type of testing than other word types, which may not be as effective for assessing threshold levels.