54077
document
Development of an adaptive low-pass filtered speech test for the identification of auditory processing disorders . OBJECTIVE One type of test commonly used to examine auditory processing disorders ( APD ) is the low-pass filtered speech test ( LPFST ) , of which there are various versions . In LPFSTs , a monaural , low-redundancy speech sample is distorted by using filtering to modify its frequency content . Due to the richness of the neural pathways in the auditory system and the redundancy of acoustic information in spoken language , a normal listener is able to recognize speech even when parts of the signal are missing , whereas this ability is often impaired in listeners with APD . One limitation of the various versions of the LPFST is that they are carried out using a constant level of low-pass filtering ( e.g . a fixed 1kHz corner frequency ) which makes them prone to ceiling and floor effects . The purpose of this study was to counter these effects by modifying the LPFST using a computer-based adaptive procedure , and to evaluate the performance of normal-hearing participants of varying ages on the test . METHODS In this preliminary study , 33 adults and 30 children ( aged 8-11 years ) with no known history of listening difficulties were tested . The University of Canterbury Adaptive Speech Test ( UCAST ) platform was used to administer a four-alternative forced-choice adaptive test that altered a low-pass filter ( LPF ) to track the corner frequency at which participants correctly identified a certain percentage of the word stimuli . RESULTS Findings on the University of Canterbury Adaptive Speech Test-Filtered Words ( UCAST-FW ) indicated a significant maturational effect . Adult participants performed significantly better on the UCAST-FW in comparison to the child participants . The UCAST-FW test was reliable over repeated administrations . CONCLUSIONS An adaptive low-pass filtered speech test such as the UCAST-FW is sensitive to maturational changes in auditory processing ability .
54078
Intervention_Physical
low-pass filtered speech test
54079
Intervention_Physical
LPFST
54080
Intervention_Educational
The University of Canterbury Adaptive Speech Test ( UCAST ) platform was used to administer a four-alternative forced-choice adaptive test that altered a low-pass filter ( LPF ) to track the corner frequency at which participants correctly identified a certain percentage of the word stimuli .
54081
Outcome_Physical
auditory processing disorders
54082
Outcome_Other
University of Canterbury Adaptive Speech Test-Filtered Words ( UCAST-FW )
54083
Outcome_Physical
significant maturational effect
54084
Outcome_Other
UCAST-FW
54085
Outcome_Other
UCAST-FW
54086
Outcome_Physical
maturational changes in auditory processing ability