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Auditory backward-masking performance by children who stutter and its relation to dysfluency rate
P Howell1, S Rosen, G Hannigan
1Department of Psychology, University College London, England.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|June 2, 2000
Summary
Stuttering may involve central auditory processing issues, not peripheral hearing loss. Children who stutter showed deficits in backward masking, a measure of central auditory processing, which correlated with stuttering frequency.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Altered auditory feedback significantly impacts speech fluency in individuals who stutter.
- This suggests a potential link between stuttering and auditory processing, but not necessarily peripheral hearing impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of central auditory processing in stuttering.
- To compare backward masking performance in children who stutter versus fluent children.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a backward masking task to assess central auditory processing.
- Measured backward masking thresholds in children who stutter and a control group of fluent children.
Main Results:
- Children who stutter exhibited significantly higher backward masking thresholds, indicating processing deficits.
- A positive correlation was observed between backward masking thresholds and the frequency of stuttering.
Conclusions:
- Stuttering may be associated with central auditory processing deficits rather than peripheral hearing problems.
- Impaired backward masking performance is a potential biomarker for stuttering severity.