Word Identification in Quiet and in Noise: A Re-examination

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Abstract
The purpose of the present investigation was to establish developmental norms for word identification in quiet and in white noise in a normally hearing pediatric population. A second purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of minor variations in noise level for word identification performance. Twelve children from each of four age groups (X age = 7.8, 9.0, 11.2, and 13.1 years) and 12 college students participated in Experiment 1. NU-6 half-lists were presented in quiet and in noise (S/N=0). Eleven college students, 7 ten-year-olds (X=10.0 years) for 5 twelve-year-olds (X=12.0 years) served as subjects for Experiment 2. These subjects listened to NU-6 words in quiet and in two noise conditions (S/N = 0 and S/N = +2). A factorial analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test revealed significant differences between subjects' performance in quiet and in each noise condition. No age effect was observed. Results are discussed within the context of: 1) stimulus materials; 2) calibration tolerances; 3) equipment variables; 4) reinforcement; and 5) definitions of 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio.

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