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Temporal integration of the contralateral acoustic reflex threshold for a 1000 hz tonal activator and its age-related
Michele B Emmer1, Shlomo Silman, Carol A Silverman
1Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences and Center for Auditory Research, Brooklyn College, CUNY, Rm. 3439 Boylan Hall, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA. memmer@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Background:
Previous research has noted an age effect on the temporal integration of the acoustic reflex for a noise activator.
Purpose:
To determine whether the age effect earlier noted for a noise activator will be noted for a tonal activator.
Research Design:
Comparison of ARTs of younger and older groups at activating stimulus durations of 12, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, and 1000 msec.
Study Sample:
Two groups of adults with normal-hearing sensitivity: one group of 20 young adults (ten males and ten females, ages 18-29 years, with a mean age of 24 years) and one group of 20 older adults (ten males and ten females, ages 59-75 years, with a mean age of 67.5 years).
Results:
A significant main effect for duration was obtained. That is, as the duration increased, the acoustic reflex threshold for the 1000 Hz tonal activator decreased. The interactions of duration x age group and duration x hearing level were not significant. There was a nonsignificant main effect (p = .889) for the between-subjects factor of age.
Conclusion:
Results contradict the findings for broadband noise.
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