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Gap detection and the precedence effect in young and old adults
B A Schneider1, M K Pichora-Fuller, D Kowalchuk
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Older adults exhibit reduced temporal acuity, with larger gap-detection thresholds than younger adults. This decline in auditory temporal processing is independent of hearing loss and suggests age-related differences in temporal window function.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Psychoacoustics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Age-related hearing loss often impacts temporal processing abilities.
- Understanding age differences in auditory temporal acuity is crucial for audiological rehabilitation and assistive device design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in gap detection thresholds and their relationship with audiometric thresholds.
- To explore age-related differences in binaural processing, specifically the precedence effect.
Main Methods:
- Gap detection thresholds were measured in young and old listeners using 2-kHz Gaussian-enveloped tones.
- The precedence effect was assessed by varying the interaural delay of tone pips presented to simulate sound localization.
Main Results:
- Old adults showed significantly larger and more variable gap detection thresholds compared to young adults.
- Gap detection thresholds were not correlated with audiometric thresholds in either age group.
- No significant age differences were found in the precedence effect transition points, and these were not correlated with gap detection thresholds.
Conclusions:
- Older adults have diminished monaural temporal acuity, potentially due to larger temporal windows, which is unrelated to sensorineural hearing loss.
- Monaural temporal acuity and binaural echo suppression appear to rely on distinct neural processes, as age affects them differently.