How well can children recognize speech features in spectrograms? Comparisons by age and hearing status

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Speech Perception

Background:

• Spectrographic displays (SDs) are utilized in speech training for individuals with hearing impairments.
• Concerns exist regarding the suitability of complex spectrograms for pediatric use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate children's ability to recognize spectrographic cues for vowels and consonants.
• To determine the age at which these visual speech cues are distinguished.
• To compare recognition abilities between children with normal hearing and those with hearing impairments.

Main Methods:

• Sixty children (30 normal hearing, 30 hearing impaired) aged 6-11 years participated.
• Familiarization with spectrographic characteristics of vowels and consonants.
• Testing involved matching model spectrograms from three choices.

Main Results:

• All age groups demonstrated greater-than-chance accuracy in recognizing spectrographic cues.
• Formant contrasts were identified more accurately than consonant manner contrasts.
• No significant difference in performance was observed between children with normal hearing and those with hearing impairments.

Conclusions:

• Spectrographic cues for speech sounds are recognizable by children across different age groups and hearing statuses.
• Spectrograms are effective visual aids for speech training in children, including those with hearing impairments.
• The findings support the continued use and development of spectrographic displays in pediatric speech rehabilitation.