Age differences in binaural and working memory abilities in school-going children

Area of Science:

• Auditory Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Speech and Hearing Sciences

Background:

• Binaural hearing relies on acoustic cues (interaural time/level differences, spectral cues) and cognitive functions like working memory and attention.
• Understanding the developmental trajectory of these auditory and cognitive processes is crucial for identifying potential developmental delays or learning difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of developmental age on auditory binaural resolution and working memory in school-going children.
• To explore the association between binaural resolution and working memory abilities across different age groups.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-seven children aged 6-15 years were grouped by age (7, 10, 14 years) and compared with young adults (21 years).
• Participants underwent tests for binaural resolution (interaural time difference [ITD] and interaural level difference [ILD] thresholds).
• Auditory working memory was assessed using forward and backward digit span and 2n-back digit tests.

Main Results:

• Significant age-related improvements were observed in both spatial resolution and working memory, with younger children performing poorer than older children and adults.
• Performance on forward digit span and ILD tasks improved significantly from the youngest group (age 7) to older groups.
• Older adolescents and adults demonstrated superior performance in ITD, backward digit span, and 2n-back tasks compared to younger children.

Conclusions:

• Interaural level difference (ILD) thresholds and forward digit span abilities mature by approximately age nine.
• Backward digit span, reflecting auditory attention, continues to develop beyond age 15, indicating a prolonged maturation period.
• The findings suggest that auditory attention, a component of working memory, influences binaural resolution and matures throughout adolescence.