Validity and reliability of self-reported and neural measures of
listening effort
Abstract
Listening effort can be defined as a measure of cognitive resources used
by listeners to perform a listening task. Several methods have been
proposed to assess listening effort, but the reliability of these
methods has not yet been thoroughly established, which is necessary
before using them in research or clinical settings. This study included
32 participants who performed speech-in-noise tasks in two sessions
(separated approx. 1 week apart) by listening to Sentences and Word
lists presented at different signal-to-noise ratios (-9, -6, -3, and 0
dB). We assessed the test-retest reliability of the self-reported
measure of listening effort and frontal midline theta (Fmθ) power, which
has been proposed as a neural correlate of listening effort. The
reliability of the percentage of correct words was also examined.
Relative and absolute reliability was evaluated using intraclass
correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis, respectively.
The standard error of measurement (SEM) and the smallest detectable
change (SDC) were also assessed. Overall, the reliability analysis
revealed an acceptable between-session variability for the correct words
and effort rating. However, Fmθ power showed high variability, which
brings into question its use as a reliable correlate of listening
effort.