For a long time, the Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification (WIPI)© has been a popular closed set test for children since it utilizes a picture pointing response method. While it is an extremely useful test, it has one major limitation. It can only be used on English-speaking children.

Many years after the Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification was released, the Spanish Pediatric Picture Identification Test© was developed. It is a closed set test that utilizes a picture pointing response method for Spanish speaking children. The Spanish Pediatric Picture Identification Test© – Male Talker version uses a talker with a European accent while the Spanish Pediatric Picture Identification Test© – Female Talker version uses a talker from Mexico. While that was a major victory for Spanish-speaking children around the world, there are still millions of children who cannot be tested with the Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification or Spanish Pediatric Picture Identification Test because they do not speak English or Spanish.

Few test developers have access to the resources necessary to create new tests so it is unrealistic to expect a picture-pointing test for young children in every language and accent. Children who do not speak English or Spanish cannot simply be ignored, and there is a simple solution that has been around for many years. A closed set picture pointing test known as the Sound Effects Recognition Test (SERT)© is an ideal way to test these precious children. It utilizes the picture pointing method with an audio recording of sounds like a barking dog, whistling, or a vacuum.

Now all three tests include a wipeable picture book. That means the pages can be easily wiped to prevent the spread of germs. The audiology community can now work together to serve every customer without any limitations. Visit www.auditec.com for a full catalog of Auditec, Inc.’s products for audiologists and other trained professionals.