Relationship of frequency-pattern training to speech perception
Abstract
Though discrimination of frequency patterns can relate to speech perception and the discrimination ability generally improves with training, the relationship between the training and speech perception is not known. Training regimens typically utilize simple repetition of the discrimination or identification trials. In the current work, the training protocol was based on interactive pattern reconstruction, increasing memory demands to accentuate learning. With either four- or five-tone patterns, the task was to assemble the constituent tones in the correct order. Tones were randomly selected from logarithmically scaled distributions (frequency: 400-1750 Hz, duration: 75-600 ms). In training but not test sessions, listeners were allowed multiple repetitions of the intact pattern to self-correct their interim response. To assess relationship to speech abilities, the same task was used in pre- and post-training measures with the tonal pattern replaced by samples of sinewave speech (SWS). Despite a high level of stimulus uncertainty, results showed a significant stimulus-specific benefit of training. Small but significant improvement in SWS intelligibility between pre- and posttest sessions was also obtained with greater relationship between results from intelligibility and pattern-reconstruction conditions post training.References
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