The staggered spondaic word test: a normative investigation of older adults

The use of the Staggered Spondaic Word Test (SSW) J. Katz et al., J. Speech Hear. Disord. 33, 132--146, for measurement of central auditory ability in adults beyond the age of 60 years is presently limited by the lack of an adequate normative data base by which to differentiate typical and atypical response patterns obtained from elderly subjects. To provide a description of SSW performances for older age groups, the SSW was administered to 41 subjects ranging in age from 60 to 79 years. Average word discrimination scores for the experimental population were within normal limits. The subjects evidenced a decrease in response accuracy and an increase in response variability relative to previously reported SSW results obtained from younger subjects. Nonsignificant correlations between age and SSW scores suggest minimal change in those central auditory functions assessed by the SSW test for subjects between the ages of 60 and 79 years. The need for stricter control over cognitive awareness and capability in the design of experiments that involve elderly subjects is discussed.