Development of Masked Speech Detection Thresholds in 2- to 15-year-old Children: Speech-Shaped Noise and Two-Talker Speech Maskers

Conclusions: Different developmental patterns were seen across the two maskers, with more pronounced child–adult differences and prolonged immaturity during childhood for the two-talker masker relative to the speech-shaped noise masker. Our data do not support the idea that there is rapid improvement of masked speech detection thresholds between 2.5 and 5 years of age. This study also highlights that our observer-based method can be used to collect reliable behavioral data from toddlers and preschoolers—a time period where we know little about auditory development.
Source: Ear and Hearing - Category: Audiology Tags: Research Article Source Type: research