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Binaural release from masking for a speech sound in infants, preschoolers, and adults
R J Nozza1, E F Wagner, M A Crandell
1University of Pittsburgh, Children's Hospital.
Insights
Infants show significant differences in binaural hearing compared to adults, suggesting developmental changes in auditory processing. This study explored binaural masked thresholds across age groups.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Audiology
Background:
- Binaural hearing, the ability to process sound with two ears, is crucial for auditory perception.
- Understanding age-related differences in binaural hearing is essential for diagnosing and managing hearing impairments.
- The binaural masking level difference (BMLD) is a key measure of binaural hearing sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate developmental changes in binaural hearing by estimating binaural masked thresholds in infants, preschool children, and adults.
- To examine the effect of interaural phase conditions on binaural hearing across different age groups.
- To explore the influence of masker intensity on BMLD measurements and its implications for age comparisons.
Main Methods:
- Binaural masked thresholds for the speech sound [ba] were measured under NoSo and NoS pi interaural phase conditions.
- Infants were tested using a head-turn with visual reinforcement procedure.
- Preschoolers and adults were tested using modified play audiometry and conventional methods, respectively.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in masked thresholds and BMLD were observed across age groups when masker intensity was consistent.
- Adjusting masker intensity for adults to account for hearing threshold differences reduced the BMLD difference between adults and preschoolers.
- A statistically significant difference in BMLD persisted between infants and adults, indicating developmental changes.
Conclusions:
- Developmental changes in binaural hearing occur early in life, impacting auditory processing in infants.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering age-related hearing differences when assessing binaural hearing abilities.
- Methodological considerations in testing young children are crucial for accurate evaluation of auditory development.
Abstract:
Binaural masked thresholds for a speech sound [ba] were estimated under two interaural phase conditions (NoSo and NoS pi) in three age groups (infants, preschool children, and adults). A computer-based head-turn with visual reinforcement procedure was used to test the infants. Preschoolers were tested using a modified play audiometry task, and adults were tested conventionally with the same apparatus as used with the infants. Differences in masked threshold as a function of both age and interaural phase condition, and differences in the binaural masking level difference (BMLD) with age, were found when the masker intensity was the same for each group. However, testing of adults with maskers of reduced intensity to compensate for hearing threshold differences relative to the two younger groups (a possible confounding variable in the estimate of the BMLD) eliminated the difference in BMLD between adults and preschoolers. The difference between infants and adults remained statistically significant, suggesting a possible developmental change in binaural hearing early in life. The relevance of developmental change in binaural hearing with respect to both infant auditory processing and the methods we use to assess it are discussed.