Sentence comprehension in elderly listeners: the factor of rate

The study was designed to test the clinical observation that sentence comprehension in elderly listeners is enhanced when rate is slowed (time-expanded) and that comprehension is affected adversely when rate is speeded (time-compressed). Twenty normally-active elderly persons who ranged in age from 65 through 88 years listened to four matched sets of 10 sentences each that were modified electronically to produce the following four rate-alteration percentages: 100% (normal rate), 60% compression, 140% expansion, and 180% expansion. Sentences were presented binaurally to listeners who responded by selecting pictures that matched the sentences heard. Results indicated that sentence comprehension scores were significantly higher (p less than .01) at both the 60% and 140% alteration rates than at the normal speaking rate. Possible effects of the stimulus upon comprehension performance are discussed.