Marking time: The precise measurement of auditory gap detection across the lifespan

Abstract

Deficits of temporal resolution are thought to contribute to speech understanding in noise difficulties and may be documented using auditory gap detection thresholds (GDTs). It is important to establish the appropriate methods to measure GDTs clinically. We have established GDTs for a variety of stimuli, ages (7-90 years), equipment, degrees of hearing loss, psychophysical paradigms, neurophysiological paradigms, marker relationships (within-channel, across-channel), time points, and presentation ears (left, right, diotic). A number important findings will be discussed: 1. Best stimulus for measurement of GDTs is narrow-band noise. 2. GDTs improve from ages 7 to 9, stabilize between ages 9 and 40, and deteriorate with age thereafter. 3. GDTs may be measured reliably using a variety of equipment. 4. Hearing loss has a minor impact on GDTs. 5. A 2-interval psychophysical paradigm is best for measuring GDTs. 6. GDTs may be documented using the P1-N1-P2 auditory evoked potential. 7. Across-channel GDTs provide different information than within-channel GDTs. 8. GDTs are reliable within and across test sessions. 9. GDTs do not differ across ear conditions. A stable and sensitive measure of temporal resolution that may be used in a clinical setting to assess temporal resolution will be recommended.