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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
[Auditory processing and phonological processing do not correlate in preschool children]
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Phoniatrie und Pädaudiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover. Ptok.Martin@MH-Hannover.de
Insights
Auditory processing and phonological processing are distinct abilities. This study found no correlation between auditory processing skills and phonological tasks in preschool children, supporting their separation.
Area of Science:
- Speech and Hearing Science
- Developmental Psychology
- Linguistics
Background:
- The American Speech and Hearing Association posits that auditory processing and phonological processing are separate entities.
- This distinction suggests a lack of correlation between auditory processing tests and phonological processing tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between auditory processing abilities and phonological processing skills in preschool children.
- To determine if auditory processing predicts phonological processing or vice versa.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 30 preschool children aged 5 to 7 years.
- Utilized 60 minimal pairs (real and nonsense words) and the "BISC" standardized phonological processing assessment.
- Employed descriptive statistics and correlational analysis.
Main Results:
- No significant correlation was observed between any auditory processing parameter and phonological processing measures.
- The findings indicate that performance on auditory tasks does not predict performance on phonological tasks.
Conclusions:
- The results support the view that auditory and phonological processing should be considered separate entities.
- Despite accepted hierarchical models of auditory input, auditory processing does not appear to predict phonological processing, and conversely.
Background:
According to the American Speech and Hearing Association auditory processing and phonological processing abilities have to be treated as separate entities. This predicts that auditory processing tests do not correlate with phonological processing tasks.
Methods:
Prospective study; 30 preschool children (5;0 to 7;0 years old, 33 boys, 19 girls); descriptive statistics and correlational analysis; items: 60 minimal pairs consisting of real words and nonsense words and standardized phonological processing assessment inventory "BISC".
Results:
No relevant correlation was found between any auditory and phonological processing parameter.
Discussion:
These results confirm that auditory and phonological processing have to be treated as separate entities. Although a hierarchical model of auditory input processing ultimately enabling comprehension appears to be accepted in the literature, auditory processing may not predict phonological processing and vice versa.
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