What is the threshold that indicates the point at which a client can start to recognize sound, even without understanding it?

The Speech Detection Threshold (SDT) refers to the lowest level at which a person can detect the presence of speech sounds and recognize them, regardless of their ability to understand what is being said. This threshold is significant because it establishes a baseline for how well an individual can perceive speech, which is the initial step in auditory processing. While understanding and comprehending speech falls under different thresholds related to recognition, the ability to simply detect sounds indicates that the auditory system is functioning to some extent.

In contrast, other thresholds—such as the Speech Reception Threshold and Auditory Recognition Threshold—focus on the levels of sound at which a person can understand and correctly identify words. The Hearing Awareness Threshold, while related, is less commonly used in clinical settings and does not specifically address the recognition aspect of hearing speech. Therefore, SDT is the most relevant measure for identifying the initial capacity for recognizing sound in an individual, making it the correct choice.