PP1110 - A Survey of the Familiarity and Use of the WIPI in Audiology Clinics in 2024

Abstract:
The Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification (WIPI) test is a well-known test used by pediatric audiologists around the country. The test evaluates the speech understanding of children ages 5-8 years old. While previous research has identified the WIPI as easy to administer, has good test/re-test reliability, and provides insight into auditory confusion (Cienkowski et al, 2009), the change in vocabulary and meaning of words is expected. The current study identifies how pediatric audiologist use the WIPI in his/her clinics and what changes are needed to be made to reflect our new social climate.

Summary:
The Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification (WIPI) test is a well-known closed set word recognition test that is typically used to test speech understanding in children 5-8 years old. Previous research has revealed that the test has good test-retest reliability, is easy to administer, and incorrect answers provide information on auditory confusion (Cienkowski et al., 2009). However, it has been years since the development and revision of the WIPI. It is expected that vocabulary has changed, new words have been added or invented, and the meaning of words has drifted. The present study identified the various word recognition tests used by audiologists in their clinics and determined their familiarity and use of the WIPI. Additionally, the results of the survey provided feedback from audiologists and provided insight into what changes are needed to create a revised version of the WIPI for audiologists to use. A ten question survey, consisting of demographic and specific questions regarding the WIPI, was sent to audiologists through professional message boards from ASHA, Connecticut Academy of Audiology, and Educational Audiology Association. Seventy-seven un-identified, valid responses were collected from the study using Qualtrics. The most common tests that were used by the audiologists in the study were the NU-CHIPS and the WIPI. Additionally, most audiologists in the study present the WIPI sixty one to ninety percent of the time. If audiologists chose not to use the WIPI, it was because the pictures were outdated, the words are unfamiliar, the test is too hard and takes too long, and the test is not available at the practice. Moreover, audiologists indicated they choose to use the WIPI because the pictures are familiar to children, the test is easy to administer, and it uses age appropriate vocabulary. Other themes identified by audiologists in the study included omitting certain words, such as “gun”, there are confusing similarities between pictures, certain words unfamiliar to children, and disembodied body parts are hard for some children to identify.

An intermediate instructional level was chosen as prior knowledge/use of the WIPI is needed to understand the results of the project and how such results can lead to a new version of the WIPI.