Speech auditory brainstem responses and words-in-noise recognition scores: is there a link?
Abstract
Difficulties recognizing speech in the presence of background noise are often associated with school-based learning problems. One could expect that early identification of these listening difficulties could prevent negative impacts on academic success. Unfortunately, the lack of adequate clinical tools makes it impossible to do so before the age of six. With a view to develop a screening tool for listening difficulties in noise using speech evoked ABR, the aim of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between speech auditory brainstem responses and the performance measured at a words-in- noise recognition task. Forty-five normal hearing adults participated in this study and were divided into three groups. Behavioral measures included a speech recognition task in which a list of words was presented without noise for one condition (quiet), and with a competitive white noise for the other condition(noise). Speech-evoked ABR measures followed, using a recorded syllable presented with and without a competitive noise. A different signal-to- noise ratio (SNR) was used for each group in the noise conditions. As expected, lower word recognition scores were noted in the noise compared to quiet conditions. The lowest average score was obtained by the group exposed to the most difficult SNR. Differences were also observed on the electrophysiological components measured with and without the noise, but the changes were not linear. Interpretations about the relationship between brainstem function and speech recognition in noise performance will be presented. This study contributes to a better understanding of the brainstem responses as a quantifiable measure of the neural encoding of speech sounds and furthermore, to allow for early detection of speech recognition problems in noise.
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Author Licensing Addendum
This Licensing Addendum ("Addendum") is entered into between the undersigned Author(s) and Canadian Acoustics journal published by the Canadian Acoustical Association (hereinafter referred to as the "Publisher"). The Author(s) and the Publisher agree as follows:
-
Retained Rights: The Author(s) retain(s) the following rights:
- The right to reproduce, distribute, and publicly display the Work on the Author's personal website or the website of the Author's institution.
- The right to use the Work in the Author's teaching activities and presentations.
- The right to include the Work in a compilation for the Author's personal use, not for sale.
-
Grant of License: The Author(s) grant(s) to the Publisher a worldwide exclusive license to publish, reproduce, distribute, and display the Work in Canadian Acoustics and any other formats and media deemed appropriate by the Publisher.
-
Attribution: The Publisher agrees to include proper attribution to the Author(s) in all publications and reproductions of the Work.
-
No Conflict: This Addendum is intended to be in harmony with, and not in conflict with, the terms and conditions of the original agreement entered into between the Author(s) and the Publisher.
-
Copyright Clause: Copyright on articles is held by the Author(s). The corresponding Author has the right to grant on behalf of all Authors and does grant on behalf of all Authors, a worldwide exclusive license to the Publisher and its licensees in perpetuity, in all forms, formats, and media (whether known now or created in the future), including but not limited to the rights to publish, reproduce, distribute, display, store, translate, create adaptations, reprints, include within collections, and create summaries, extracts, and/or abstracts of the Contribution.