Gaps In Noise Test Research Articles

Impact of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy on Central Auditory Processing in Children

Background: Anatomical and functional integrity of the auditory pathways, from peripheral to central structures, is essential for proper processing of auditory stimuli and a satisfactory development of language, speech, and learning. Neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, are one of the possible causes of central auditory disorders. Objective: The aim of the current work was to study the effect of temporal lobe epilepsy on auditory temporal resolution ability in children. Patients and methods: Thirty children suffering from temporal lobe epilepsy, with age ranged from 12 to 16 years, were included in this study. Also, 10 apparently healthy children with age and gender matched with the study group were taken as a control group. All children were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, cognitive and basic audiological evaluation. Also, questionnaire for central auditory processing disorders in children was applied and assessment of temporal resolution ability using Gaps In Noise (GIN) test. Results: Children with temporal lobe epilepsy had significantly increased gap detection threshold (GDTh) values, and lower percentage of correct gap detection than control group. 86.7% of epileptic children demonstrated abnormal scores for approximate GIN threshold (gap detection threshold above 6 msec, with sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 100% for right ear and 86% and 100% for left ear. Conclusion: Temporal resolution deficit is a comorbidity in children with temporal lobe epilepsy and is increased with longer duration of epilepsy. Impairment was not affected by age, gender, medications or duration of treatment. Also, there was no significant difference between both ears in GIN test, reflecting no laterality effect.

Impact of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy on Central Auditory Processing in Children

Background: Anatomical and functional integrity of the auditory pathways, from peripheral to central structures, is essential for proper processing of auditory stimuli and a satisfactory development of language, speech, and learning. Neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, are one of the possible causes of central auditory disorders. Objective: The aim of the current work was to study the effect of temporal lobe epilepsy on auditory temporal resolution ability in children. Patients and methods: Thirty children suffering from temporal lobe epilepsy, with age ranged from 12 to 16 years, were included in this study. Also, 10 apparently healthy children with age and gender matched with the study group were taken as a control group. All children were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, cognitive and basic audiological evaluation. Also, questionnaire for central auditory processing disorders in children was applied and assessment of temporal resolution ability using Gaps In Noise (GIN) test. Results: Children with temporal lobe epilepsy had significantly increased gap detection threshold (GDTh) values, and lower percentage of correct gap detection than control group. 86.7% of epileptic children demonstrated abnormal scores for approximate GIN threshold (gap detection threshold above 6 msec, with sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 100% for right ear and 86% and 100% for left ear. Conclusion: Temporal resolution deficit is a comorbidity in children with temporal lobe epilepsy and is increased with longer duration of epilepsy. Impairment was not affected by age, gender, medications or duration of treatment. Also, there was no significant difference between both ears in GIN test, reflecting no laterality effect.

Reprodutibilidade de testes de resolução temporal em adultos

O uso de testes comportamentais é uma prática clínica frequente na audiologia devido à sua grande contribuição ao diagnóstico e aos processos de intervenção fonoaudiológica. Objetivo: Verificar a reprodutibilidade dos protocolos de avaliação da resolução temporal em adultos. Método: Participaram da amostra 34 sujeitos, 22 do sexo feminino e 12 do masculino, com média de idade de 26,21 anos (20 a 52 anos; dp= 8,92) seguindo os critérios: ausência de histórico otológico e/ou audiológico e queixas escolares; normalidade no padrão audiológico e no teste dicótico de dígitos. Foram utilizados na pesquisa os testes Random Gap Detection Test e Gap in Noise, a 50 dB. Ambos foram aplicados em dois momentos, sendo a segunda aplicação com intervalo de uma semana da primeira. O teste Wilcoxon foi utilizado para análise do desempenho da amostra no teste GIN em função da orelha e Teste de Friedman para análise do RGDT em função da frequência testada nos dois momentos. Foi adotado o nível de significância de 5%. O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse foi utilizado na análise da concordância entre as aplicações teste(T1) e reteste (T2) pelo mesmo avaliador (reprodutibilidade). Resultados: Não houve diferença entre as frequências testadas no RGDT (média) no T1 e T2. Houve diferença no desempenho do GIN entre orelha direita e esquerda no T2. A reprodutibilidade de teste-reteste no RGDT (média) e GIN foi substancial conforme o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse. Conclusão: Há reprodutibilidade no teste RGDT quando comparada a média das frequências e no teste GIN bilateralmente.

Speech Perception and Gap Detection Performance of Single-Sided Deafness under Noisy Conditions

Background and ObjectivesMany studies have reported no benefit of sound localization, but improved speech understanding in noise after treating patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). Furthermore, their performances provided a large individual difference. The present study aimed to measure the ability of speech perception and gap detection in noise for the SSD patients to better understand their hearing nature.Subjects and MethodsNine SSD patients with different onset and period of hearing deprivation and 20 young adults with normal hearing and simulated conductive hearing loss as the control groups conducted speech perception in noise (SPIN) and Gap-In-Noise (GIN) tests. The SPIN test asked how many presented sentences were understood at the +5 and -5 dB signal-to-noise ratio. The GIN test was asked to find the shortest gap in white noise with different lengths in the gap.ResultsCompared to the groups with normal hearing and simulated instant hearing loss, the SSD group showed much poor performance in both SPIN and GIN tests while supporting central auditory plasticity of the SSD patients. Rather than a longer period of deafness, the large individual variance indicated that the congenital SSD patients showed better performance than the acquired SSD patients in two measurements.ConclusionsThe results suggested that comprehensive assessments should be implemented before any treatment of the SSD patient considering their onset time and etiology, although these findings need to be generalized with a large sample size.

GIN Test: A Meta-Analysis on Its Neurodiagnostic Value.

A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate how effective the Gaps-in-Noise (GIN) test is in separating populations who are and who are not at risk of having neurological damage related to the central auditory nervous system (CANS). This was investigated by asking three specific questions: (1) Does ear and side of lesion have an effect over the individual's performance? (2) How large is the difference in performance between control and neurological groups? (3) What are the diagnostic indices related to the GIN test? A literature review was performed between April 2016 and April 2017. The eligibility criteria for inclusion were as follows: (1) studies that used the GIN test as an outcome measure, (2) studies that included adult participants who either had confirmed lesions or were at risk of having lesions to the CANS or related regions, and (3) studies that had a neurologically normal control group. From relevant studies that met eligibility criteria, information regarding study design, participants, lesion details and origins, use of additional assessments, GIN performance scores for both control (CTRL) and neurological (NRLG) groups, GIN cutoff scores and proportion of individuals with normal and abnormal performances were all included. Nine studies were included, totaling 221 participants in NRLG (stroke = 90, epilepsy = 67, and blast exposure [BLST] = 64) and 262 in CTRL (Stroke = 106, Epilepsy = 98, and BLST = 58). No significant ear effects related to side of lesion were observed for the GIN test in neurological patients nor were there significant ear differences for normal individuals with symmetrically normal hearing. The GIN demonstrated consistency among different neurological populations, presented good sensitivity and specificity rates, and was overall accurate in discriminating between participants with neuroauditory lesions from neurologically normal individuals. The GIN is thus a clinically effective measure that provides insight into the CANS integrity and may aid in clinical diagnosis by distinguishing between populations who are and who are not at risk of having neurological damage affecting the CANS.

Efficacy of a newly developed auditory-cognitive training system on speech recognition, central auditory processing and cognitive ability among older adults with normal cognition and with neurocognitive impairment.

To evaluate the efficacy of a newly developed auditory-cognitive training system on speech recognition, central auditory processing and cognition among older adults with normal cognition (NC) and with neurocognitive impairment (NCI). A double-blind quasi-experiment was carried out on NC (n = 43) and NCI (n = 33) groups. Participants in each group were randomly assigned into treatment and control programs groups. The treatment group underwent auditory-cognitive training, whereas the control group was assigned to watch documentary videos, three times per week, for 8 consecutive weeks. Study outcomes that included Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Malay Hearing in Noise Test, Dichotic Digit Test, Gaps in Noise Test and Pitch Pattern Sequence Test were measured at 4-week intervals at baseline, and weeks 4, 8 and 12. Mixed design anova showed significant training effects in total Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Dichotic Digit Test in both groups, NC (P < 0.001) and NCI (P < 0.01). The NC group also showed significant training effects in the Malay Hearing in Noise Test (quiet) (P < 0.01), Gaps in Noise Test (P < 0.001) and Pitch Pattern Sequence Test (humming) (P < 0.05). All training effects were sustained up to 4 weeks after the training ended. The present study suggests that the newly developed auditory-cognitive training system has the potential to improve general cognition and some of the auditory processing abilities in both the NC and NCI groups. Because of the short test-retest intervals used in the present study, it is possible that the training effects were influenced by learning effect and, therefore, should be considered cautiously. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 768-773.

Central Auditory Processing Tests as Diagnostic Tools for the Early Identification of Elderly Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background and ObjectivesMild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a disorder that usually occurs in the elderly, leading to dementia in some progressive cases. The purpose of this study is to examine the utility of central auditory processing tests as early diagnostic tools for identifying the elderly with MCI.Subjects and MethodsThis study was conducted on 20 elderly patients with MCI and 20 healthy matched peers. The speech perception ability in a quiet environment and in the presence of background noise and also temporal resolution were assessed by using Speech Perception in Noise (SPIN) and Gap in Noise (GIN) tests, respectively.ResultsThe results indicated that the ability to understand speech in a quiet environment did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, SPIN at the three signal-tonoise ratios and the temporal resolution scores were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.001).ConclusionsIndividuals with MCI appear to have poorer speech comprehension in noise and a lower temporal resolution than those of the same age, but without cognitive defects. Considering the utility of these tests in identifying cognitive problems, we propose that since the GIN test seems to be less influenced by intervening factors, this test can therefore, be a useful tool for the early screening of elderly people with cognitive problems.

Modulation of temporal resolution and speech long-latency auditory-evoked potentials by transcranial direct current stimulation in children and adolescents with dyslexia.

In recent years, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used as a safe and non-invasive method for children and adolescents with dyslexia. Our aim in this study was to investigate the effect of tDCS on variables of temporal resolution and speech long-latency auditory-evoked potentials with two electrode arrays on superior temporal gyrus (STG). A total of 17 children and adolescents with dyslexia (age 9-12years) were included in our study. All participants underwent the gap in noise (GIN) test and long-latency auditory-evoked potentials recording at baseline without applying tDCS, sham (placebo), and after 20min of exposure to two different tDCS polarities: anode of tDCS on left STG/cathode on the right shoulder and anode on the left STG/cathode on right STG to enhance left lateralization. Our results showed significant decreases in the threshold value and increases in the percentages of correct responses in the GIN test. We also found reduced latency and increased amplitude of the P1, N1, and P2 waves in two stimulation polarities compared with baseline and sham. Our findings indicate the potential role of tDCS on improving the characteristics of central auditory processing, especially temporal information processing in children and adolescents with dyslexia, and could introduce a new strategy to facilitate the rehabilitation of central auditory processing disorders in future.

Central auditory function in multiple sclerosis patients

Objectives: To evaluate central auditory functions in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Subjects and Methods: Twenty Egyptian MS patients involved in the study and 20 healthy controls who were matched to MS group in age, gender, and literacy. They ranged in age from 30 to 50 years with a mean age 37.6 ± 5 in the study group versus 37.3 ± 4.2 in the control group. In this study, four screening tests were conducted for the assessment of central auditory processing: Gaps In Noise test (GIN), Arabic dichotic digits test (DDT), Pitch Pattern Sequence test (PPS), and last Arabic Speech In Noise test (SPIN). Results: The study showed elevated GIN test approximate threshold and depressed total score in MS patients compared to the control group, with no significant difference between both right and left ears. There was statistical significant depressed scores in study groups at PPS, speech intelligibility in noise, and DDTs. Conclusion The findings of the current study add more evidence to the involvement of central auditory processing abilities in patients with MS. The assessment of central auditory function is highly recommended for all MS patients as a routine examination and can be used for monitoring the effectiveness of medication and related therapies for these patients.

Temporal Resolution in School-Age Children with Cochlear Dead Regions.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has serious implications on temporal resolution when the nonfunctioning areas known as cochlear dead regions (DRs) exist. Previous studies have not clarified this effect in the pediatric population. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of DRs in school-age Egyptian children with SNHL and to explore the effect of these DRs on temporal resolution ability. This was a cross-sectional case-control study. The Gaps-In-Noise (GIN) test was administered to 70 normal-hearing and 30 hearing-impaired (HI) children (ages 6-16 years), matched in age and gender. In HI children, cochlear DRs were detected using the Threshold-Equalizing Noise test. Comparison of quantitative data involved parametric (Student's t and one-way ANOVA) and nonparametric (Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H) tests, depending on normality distribution. Comparison of categorical variables required Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. The prevalence of DRs was 30% in school-age children, with a hearing threshold range of >40-70 dB HL, mainly affecting high frequencies. HI children had significantly impaired GIN test results, especially when DRs were present. DRs markedly affect temporal resolution. Studying this relationship in children can improve strategies for amplification and temporal processing remediation, enhancing speech perception in these young participants.

Gaps-in-noise test performance in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background and Aim: Hearing loss is one of the complications of the type 2 diabetes mellitus, which commonly affects the central auditory processing. Gap in noise (GIN) test is an appropriate clinical tool for evaluating temporal auditory processing. The purpose of the present research was to compare the results of the GIN test in the diabetic patients with non-diabetic participants.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 30 subjects with type 2 diabetes (mean age=43.33, SD=4.7 years) and 30 normal hearing subjects (mean age=41.26, SD=6.2 years) were examined by the GIN test. The approximate GIN threshold and the percentage of correct answers were measured in all individuals.Results: The findings showed an increase in the approximate GIN threshold and a decrease in the percentage of correct answers in the diabetic group in comparison with the non-diabetic group (p&lt;0.05). In addition, the GIN threshold in the right ear was lower than the left one in the case group (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion: According to the derived results, the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus appear to have defects in the temporal resolution domain the auditory stimuli and this disorder affects left ear more than right ear.

Auditory processing abilities in prematurely born children

AimTo compare the performance in temporal auditory ordering and resolution tests and the latency and amplitude in the records of middle latency auditory evoked potential and P3 of prematurely born children with the performance of full-term children undergoing the same assessment protocol. Study designCross-sectional observational study. SubjectsFifty-two children, aged 8 to 10 years, participated in the study and were divided into two groups: study group: 16 prematurely born children, and control group: 36 born full-term, at low risk for developmental alteration and without scholastic or hearing difficulties. Outcome measuresAll subjects underwent ordering tests (Frequency and duration pattern tests) and temporal auditory resolution tests (Gaps in noise test) and had their middle-latency auditory evoked potential and P3 recorded by using an Intelligent Hearing System unit. ResultsPrematurely born children had worse performance in the temporal ordering and resolution tests as compared with children born full-term. With regard to middle-latency auditory evoked potential and P3, prematurely born children had higher mean values of latencies and poorer morphology, a statistical significance was evidenced for P3 in the right ear. ConclusionsA prematurity effect was found in the temporal auditory processing measurements and in the P3.

Auditory behavior and auditory temporal resolution in children with sleep-disordered breathing

ObjectiveIntermittent hypoxia caused by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may lead to damage in brain areas associated to auditory processing. The aim of this study was to compare children with OSAS or primary snoring (PS) to children without sleep-disordered breathing with regard to their performance on the Gaps-in-Noise (GIN) test and the Scale of Auditory Behaviors (SAB) questionnaire. MethodsThirty-seven children (6–12 years old) were submitted to sleep anamnesis and in-lab night-long polysomnography. Three groups were organized according to clinical criteria: OSAS group (13 children), PS group (13 children), and control group (11 children). They were submitted to the GIN test and parents answered SAB questionnaire. The Kruskal–Wallis statistical test was used to compare the groups; p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsThe OSAS group performed significantly worse than PS (p = 0.011) and Control (p = 0.029) groups on gap detection percentage, while PS and Control groups showed no significant differences. The three groups showed similar gap detection thresholds. Regarding SAB questionnaire, PS group had significantly worse scores when compared to Control (p = 0.011), but not to OSAS (p = 0.101) groups. No statistical difference between OSAS and Control groups were found. ConclusionChildren with OSAS showed worse performance on GIN test in comparison to children with PS and children without sleep-disordered breathing. PS negatively affected auditory behavior in children. These findings suggest that sleep-disordered breathing may lead to auditory behavior impairment.

Effect of passive smoking on auditory temporal resolution in children

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of passive smoking on auditory temporal resolution in primary school children, based on the hypothesis that individuals who are exposed to smoking exhibit impaired performance. DesignAuditory temporal resolution was evaluated using the Gaps In Noise (GIN) test. Exposure to passive smoking was assessed by measuring nicotine metabolite (cotinine) excreted in the first urine of the day. Study sampleThe study included 90 children with mean age of 10.2 ± 0.1 years old from a public school in São Paulo. Participants were divided into two groups: a study group, comprising 45 children exposed to passive smoking (cotinine > 5 ng/mL); and a control group, constituting 45 children who were not exposed to passive smoking. All participants had normal audiometry and immittance test results. ResultsStatistically significant differences (p < 0.005) in performance on the GIN test were found between the two groups, with mean thresholds of 5.3 ms and 68.9% correct responses in the study group versus 4.6 ms and 74.0% in the control group. ConclusionThe children exposed to passive smoking had poorer performance both in terms of thresholds and correct responses percentage on auditory temporal resolution assessment.

Psychoacoustic Characteristics of Tinnitus versus Temporal Resolution in Subjects with Normal Hearing Sensitivity.

Introduction Cochlear or neural mechanisms of tinnitus generation may affect auditory temporal resolution in tinnitus patients even with normal audiometry. Thus, studying the correlation between tinnitus characteristics and auditory temporal resolution in subjects with tinnitus may help in proper modification of tinnitus management strategy. Objective This study aims to examine the relationship between the psychoacoustic measures of tinnitus and the auditory temporal resolution in subjects with normal audiometry. Methods Two normal hearing groups with ages ranging from 20 to 45 years were involved: control group of 15 adults (30 ears) without tinnitus and study group of 15 adults (24 ears) with tinnitus. Subjective scaling of annoyance and sleep disturbance caused by tinnitus, basic audiological evaluation, tinnitus psychoacoustic measures and Gaps in Noise test were performed. Data from both groups were compared using independent sample t-test. Psychoacoustic measures of tinnitus and Gaps in Noise test parameters of the tinnitus group were correlated with Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results Significantly higher hearing threshold, higher approximate threshold and lower correct Gaps in Noise scores were observed in tinnitus ears. There was no significant correlation between psychoacoustic measures of tinnitus and Gaps in Noise test parameters of the tinnitus group. Conclusion Auditory temporal resolution impairment was found in tinnitus patients, which could be attributed to cochlear impairment or altered neural firing within the auditory pathway. It is recommended to include temporal resolution testing in the tinnitus evaluation battery to provide a proper management planning.

Resolução temporal em idosos

RESUMO Objetivo: detectar a sensibilidade, para avaliar a habilidade de resolução temporal, comparando os testes Randon Gap Detection Test (RGDT) e Gaps- In-Noise (GIN) além de sugerir valores de referência nestes testes para idosos. Métodos: participaram 38 idosos, 24 mulheres e 14 homens, com idades entre 60 e 82 anos, com audição normal ou perda auditiva neurossensorial até moderada; com simetria entre as orelhas; timpanograma tipo A, reflexos acústicos presentes, com queixa de processamento auditivo. Todos Foram submetidos a avaliação básica para caracterizar a audição periférica, RGDT e GIN. Resultados: a sensibilidade encontrada para o teste RGDT na identificação da habilidade de resolução temporal foi de 88,64% e no GIN de 67,65%. Os valores médios para o limiar de detecção de gap no teste GIN encontraram-se em torno de 8ms e para o teste RGDT em 23,13ms. Conclusão: o teste RGDT demonstrou maior sensibilidade para detecção da alteração da habilidade de resolução temporal. Os valores dos limiares de resolução temporal, sugeridos como valores de referência para idosos, são de 8ms para o GIN e 23,13 ms para o RGDT.

Auditory Temporal Processing Deficits in Chronic Stroke: A Comparison of Brain Damage Lateralization Effect

There have been a few reports about the effects of chronic stroke on auditory temporal processing abilities and no reports regarding the effects of brain damage lateralization on these abilities. Our study was performed on 2 groups of chronic stroke patients to compare the effects of hemispheric lateralization of brain damage and of age on auditory temporal processing. Seventy persons with normal hearing, including 25 normal controls, 25 stroke patients with damage to the right brain, and 20 stroke patients with damage to the left brain, without aphasia and with an age range of 31-71 years were studied. A gap-in-noise (GIN) test and a duration pattern test (DPT) were conducted for each participant. Significant differences were found between the 3 groups for GIN threshold, overall GIN percent score, and DPT percent score in both ears (P ≤ .001). For all stroke patients, performance in both GIN and DPT was poorer in the ear contralateral to the damaged hemisphere, which was significant in DPT and in 2 measures of GIN (P ≤ .046). Advanced age had a negative relationship with temporal processing abilities for all 3 groups. In cases of confirmed left- or right-side stroke involving auditory cerebrum damage, poorer auditory temporal processing is associated with the ear contralateral to the damaged cerebral hemisphere. Replication of our results and the use of GIN and DPT tests for the early diagnosis of auditory processing deficits and for monitoring the effects of aural rehabilitation interventions are recommended.

Gaps-in-Noise Measurement of the Elderly as a Function of Stimulus Level

Purpose: The gaps-in-noise (GIN) test was developed as a clinical evaluation of temporal resolution. In the GIN test, a sensation level of 50 dB SL was recommended as a standard clinical presentation level to ensure stimulus audibility. It has been reported that the stimulus level less than 30 dB SL should not be used as presentation level to verify a proper level for administration of GIN test. Given that the previous finding was based on the data of young normal-hearing adults, the present study aimed to compare the GIN results as a function of stimulus level in listener groups differing in age and hearing sensitivity. Methods: Participants were 10 young normal-hearing (YNH), 12 elderly normal-hearing, and 12 elderly hearing-impaired (EHI) listeners. GIN was administered at 20, 30, 40, and 50 dB SL. The performance was determined from both the approximate threshold and the percentage of correct gap. Results: As results, both approximate threshold and percent correct in GIN results were measured. Results showed that, overall, both the threshold as well as the percent correct in GIN improved with increasing stimulus level. Across groups, EHI showed the poorest results from GIN test, with the best performance in YNH. EHI listeners with greater hearing loss at higher frequencies (2-8 kHz) were poorer at detecting gaps in noise. Across a range of stimulus level (20-50 dB SL), the GIN performance between 40 and 50 dB SL did not differ in all listener groups. Conclusion: A sensation level of 35-50 dB may be applicable to the elderly with normal hearing or slight-to-mild degree of hearing loss, without significant change in GIN performance.

Temporal processing in postlingual adult users of cochlear implant

IntroductionPostlingual adults demonstrate impressive performance in speech recognition in silence after cochlear implant (CI) surgery. However, problems in central hearing abilities remain, which complicates understanding in certain situations, such as in competitive listening and in the perception of suprasegmental aspects of speech. ObjectiveTo assess the temporal processing abilities in postlingual adult users of CI. MethodsCross-sectional and descriptive study, with a non-probabilistic sample for convenience. The population was divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 12 postlingual adult users of cochlear implants and the control group consisted of 12 adults with normal hearing, matched for age and gender with the control group. The Frequency Pattern Test and the Gaps in Noise test were selected to assess temporal processing. Free-field testing was applied at 50dB SL. ResultsAdult users of cochlear implant attained a mean temporal threshold of 16.33ms and scored 47.7% in the pattern frequency test; the difference was statistically significant in comparison with the control group. ConclusionIt was verified that postlingual adult users of cochlear implants have significant alterations in temporal processing abilities in comparison to adults with normal hearing.

Speech Recognition in Noise by Younger and Older Adults: Effects of Age, Hearing Loss, and Temporal Resolution.

Purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of aging on temporal resolution and speech understanding in noise. Twenty-seven young and 33 older normal hearing adults participated in this study. Temporal resolution was investigated using the Gaps in Noise (GIN) test. Understanding sentences in noise was investigated using a Dutch sentences (LIST) test. Results demonstrated that older adults have significantly worse temporal resolution scores and significantly greater difficulty understanding sentences in noise than younger adults. In the group of older adults, the ability to understand sentences in noise correlated with hearing and age. A stepwise regression analysis showed that age was the best predictor for the speech in noise results. However, temporal resolution correlated with hearing, not with age. Results from the GIN test did not correlate with the results from the LIST test. The present study shows that with advancing age, both temporal resolution and speech understanding in noise significantly diminish. Temporal resolution correlates with hearing, not age, while speech understanding correlates more with age than hearing. These results could have implications for the outcome of auditory prostheses in older adults, as both diminished temporal resolution and speech understanding have to be taken into account.