Rapid perceptual learning of time-compressed speech and the perception of natural fast speech in older adults with presbycusis

Authors

  • Tali Rotman Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
  • Limor Lavie Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
  • Karen Banai Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel

Abstract

Older people, especially ones with age-related hearing loss (ARHL), often have difficulties understanding naturally fast speech (NFS). This difficulty has been attributed to both sensory and cognitive factors. We now ask if rapid perceptual learning, assessed with a time-compressed speech (TCS) task, also contributes to the perception of NFS in older adults with ARHL, while accounting for the potential contribution of other cognitive factors. 45 participants with and without experience with hearing-aids completed the study. Significant rapid perceptual learning of TCS occurred within the first 20 sentences. This learning was significantly and positively correlated with NFS perception. Additionally, the perception of NFS was positively associated with vocabulary and memory span and negatively correlated with hearing thresholds. We found no significant differences between experienced-users of hearing-aids and non-users. Findings suggest that declines in rapid perceptual learning may play a role in the perception of NFS in people with ARHL, which is additional to the contribution of other cognitive variables.

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Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems

Additional Files

Published

2020-04-15

How to Cite

Rotman, T., Lavie, L., & Banai, K. (2020). Rapid perceptual learning of time-compressed speech and the perception of natural fast speech in older adults with presbycusis. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, 7, 93–100. Retrieved from https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2019-12

Issue

Vol. 7 (2019): Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems

Section

2019/2. Learning from natural sounds

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