The Short Increment Sensitivity Index (SISI) is a hearing test used by audiologists to evaluate a patient's sensitivity to small changes in sound frequency. The spelling of SISI can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The first syllable, "SHORt," is pronounced with a /ʃ/ sound followed by a short vowel /ɔ/. The second syllable, "INcreMENt," includes a long vowel /iː/ and the stress falls on the third syllable, "senSItivity." The last syllable, "INdex," is pronounced with a /dʒ/ sound and a short vowel /ɛ/.
The Short Increment Sensitivity Index (SISI) is a diagnostic auditory test used to measure a person's hearing sensitivity and detect potential hearing loss. It evaluates the individual's ability to perceive and discriminate between brief, incremental changes in sound intensity.
The SISI test involves presenting a series of tones to the subject, with occasional increments in intensity. These increments are typically 1 dB, and they occur randomly during the test. The person being tested is required to indicate whether they perceive the increment in sound intensity or not.
The results of the SISI test are calculated by determining the percentage of correctly detected increments. A higher detection rate indicates better hearing sensitivity, while a lower rate may suggest the presence of hearing impairment. The test is particularly useful for detecting slight distortions in people with sensorineural hearing loss, especially when there is damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.
The SISI test is commonly administered by audiologists and hearing healthcare professionals as part of a comprehensive hearing evaluation. It provides valuable insight into a person's ability to perceive subtle changes in sound intensity and can aid in diagnosing specific types and degrees of hearing loss.