Auditory processing ability in Thai native speakers with the Gaps-In-Noise (GIN) test

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neuroscience
• Linguistics

Background:

• Auditory processing disorder (APD) stems from central auditory nervous system (CANS) dysfunction.
• The Gaps-In-Noise (GIN) test assesses temporal auditory processing, crucial for understanding APD.
• Linguistic factors may impact GIN test performance, necessitating language-specific norms.

Purpose of the Study:

• Establish preliminary normative data for the GIN test in young adult native Thai speakers.
• Compare GIN test performance across different ears (left vs. right).
• Investigate the influence of linguistic background on GIN test results.

Main Methods:

• 52 native Thai speakers (18-25 years) with normal hearing participated.
• The Gaps-In-Noise (GIN) test was administered in an anechoic chamber.
• Data analyzed using approximate gap-detection threshold (A.th.) and overall percent correct (OPC) metrics.

Main Results:

• Mean A.th. values were similar across both ears (approx. 5.1 ms).
• Right ear showed lower accuracy (OPC) compared to the left ear.
• Significant differences in A.th. were found when compared to English, Korean, and Portuguese speakers, but not Polish speakers.

Conclusions:

• Young adult Thai speakers demonstrate consistent temporal processing abilities across ears.
• Observed OPC differences suggest potential auditory processing asymmetries.
• Linguistic background significantly influences GIN test outcomes, highlighting the need for language-specific normative data in APD assessment.