Perception of Voiceless Fricatives by Normal-Hearing and Hearing-Impaired Children and Adults

• DOI: 10.1044/jslhr.4306.1389
• Publication Date: 2014-07-29T21:12:41Z
• Authors: Andrea L. Pittman; Patricia G. Stelm...
• Keywords: Hearing impaired; Nonsense

This study examined the perceptual-weighting strategies and performance-audibility functions of 11 moderately hearing-impaired (HI) children, age-matched normal-hearing (NH) HI adults, NH adults. The purpose was to (a) determine children relative other groups (b) audibility required by each group achieve a criterion level performance. Stimuli were 4 nonsense syllables (/us/, /u∫/, /uf/, /uθ/). vowel, transition, fricative segments syllable identified along temporal domain, segment amplified randomly within during presentation. Point-biserial correlation coefficients calculated using amplitude variation correct incorrect responses for corresponding syllable. Results showed that /us/ all four heavily weighted perception, whereas vowel transition received little or no weight. For relatively low weights given groups. /uθ/, adults more so than segments, three equally low. Performance-audibility /u∫/ constructed group. In general, maximum performance reached at lower levels /s/ /∫/ steeper observed A decision theory approach used confirm ≥90% both hearing sensitivity age effects. listeners similar Likewise, adult although this difference substantial listeners.