Adaptive Speech Audiometry and Speech Discrimination Space in Hearing-Impaired Subjects

Phonemic discrimination difficulties in a small group of patients with sensorineural hearing loss have been mapped using a new form of speech audiometry which is an automated, adaptive, audio-visual system, using a binary forced-choice response mode. Phonemic confusion patterns have been displayed in directed graph form and the cases presented here have been chosen to illustrate the potentialities of the test method for obtaining detailed information on the fine structure of speech reception in these patients.     

An effect of linguistic experience :Auditory Word Discrimination by Native and Non-Native Speakers of English

In this study, the effect of linguistic experience on the auditory discrimination of words has been examined. 18 subjects, including 6 native and 12 non-native speakers of English, were tested with CID auditory test W-22 in quiet and in the presence of white noise at the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios of + 12, + 6 and 0 dB. The non-native speakers of English included 6 with 1 year of experience and 6 with 3–4 years of experience speaking English in the USA.

In the absence of noise, the results were essentially equivalent for all three groups. As noise level increased, word discrimination deteriorated for all three groups with non-native speakers of English obtaining results significantly poorer than native speakers of English. Linguistic experience and noise levels were significant at the 0.001 level of confidence. It appears that at 0 dB S/N, individual variability of non-native speakers of English, regardless of their original linguistic background, was much smaller than that found for native speakers of English.

The results of the study tend to indicate that a limited linguistic experience results in a persistent deterioration of auditory word discrimination under impoverished conditions of audition.     

Voice gender discrimination provides a measure of more than pitch-related perception in cochlear implant users

Abstract

Objectives: (1) To investigate whether voice gender discrimination (VGD) could be a useful indicator of the spectral and temporal processing abilities of individual cochlear implant (CI) users; (2) To examine the relationship between VGD and speech recognition with CI when comparable acoustic cues are used for both perception processes. Design: VGD was measured using two talker sets with different inter-gender fundamental frequencies (F₀), as well as different acoustic CI simulations. Vowel and consonant recognition in quiet and noise were also measured and compared with VGD performance. Study sample: Eleven postlingually deaf CI users. Results: The results showed that (1) mean VGD performance differed for different stimulus sets, (2) VGD and speech recognition performance varied among individual CI users, and (3) individual VGD performance was significantly correlated with speech recognition performance under certain conditions. Conclusions: VGD measured with selected stimulus sets might be useful for assessing not only pitch-related perception, but also spectral and temporal processing by individual CI users. In addition to improvements in spectral resolution and modulation detection, the improvement in higher modulation frequency discrimination might be particularly important for CI users in noisy environments.

Sumario

Objetivos: (1) Investigar si la discriminación de voz por género (VGD) puede ser un indicador útil de las habilidades de procesamiento espectral y temporal de usuarios de implantes cocleares (IC); (2) Examinar la relación entre VGD y el reconocimiento del lenguaje con IC, cuando se usan claves acústicas comparables para ambos procesos de percepción. Diseño: Se midió el VGD usando dos series de hablantes con diferentes frecuencias fundamentales (Fo) inter-género así como diferentes simulaciones acústicas de IC. El reconocimiento de vocales y consonantes en silencio y con ruido también se midió y comparó con el rendimiento VGD. Muestra: Once usuarios sordos de IC post-lingüísticos. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que 1) el rendimiento promedio VGD difirió para diferentes grupos de estímulos; 2) el rendimiento para el reconocimiento de VGD y de lenguaje varió entre usuarios de IC y 3) el rendimiento individual de VGD correlacionó significativamente con el reconocimiento del lenguaje bajo ciertas condiciones. Conclusiones: El VGD medido con grupos seleccionados de estímulos puede ser útil para evaluar no solamente la percepción relacionada con la frecuencia sino también el procesamiento espectral y temporal en usuarios de IC. Además de la mejoría en la resolución espectral y en la detección de la modulación, la mejoría en la discriminación en frecuencias de alta modulación puede ser particularmente importante para los usuarios de IC en ambientes de ruido.     

Weight stigma and discrimination: Time for change!

The pervasiveness and negative impact of weight stigma and discrimination has highlighted the need to intervene across many levels of society. Instances of discrimination impinge on peoples’ human rights and societal values of equality, raising important questions for policymakers and legislators. The ingrained nature of weight stigma and discrimination throughout society means the systemic change that is warranted will not be easy or rapid. Within this article, several actions are suggested to reduce weight stigma and discrimination and in doing so, address this social justice issue. The article represents a long overdue call to end weight stigma and discrimination for the betterment of society.     

Differential development of relational memory and pattern separation

Researchers have taken a number of different approaches in their exploration of hippocampal function. One approach seeks to describe hippocampal function by probing the memory representations that the hippocampus supports. Another approach focuses on the role of the hippocampus in pattern separation and completion. Each of these approaches to understanding hippocampal function utilizes a distinct set of specialized tasks, and both of these task sets are known to be sensitive to changes in hippocampal function with age and disease status. But the question remains whether the tasks utilized in these two approaches tap into the same aspects of hippocampal function. We explored this question in the context of hippocampal development. Preadolescent children (N = 73) and young adults (N = 41) completed an identical battery of cognitive tasks consisting of a spatial reconstruction relational memory task, the mnemonic similarity task (MST)—an object‐based pattern separation task, and a novel hybrid task—the Object Discrimination and Distribution (ODD) Task—designed to integrate and simultaneously tax pattern separation and spatial relational memory. Children did not demonstrate impairments in lure discrimination relative to young adults on either the object‐based pattern separation task or for aspects of the ODD task that required pattern separation in the absence of relational memory demands but performed more poorly across aspects of tasks that required relational binding.     

Auditory speech sounds evaluation (A§E®): a new test to assess detection,discrimination and identification in hearing impairment

Abstract

This paper describes a set of suprathreshold tests, available as a software package (A§E®), for the auditory evaluation of the hearing impaired. It uses isolated speech sounds as test material for a discrimination, identification and detection test, and is specifically suited to test preverbal children. All tests allow strict analytical interpretation. The test material and procedures are described. Their clinical use is illustrated. The authors claim that suprathreshold tests are feasible in the preverbal child, allowing analytical evaluation of the auditory capacities. These tests are complementary to the routinely used detection tests and add significantly to the hearing evaluation in preverbal children. The authors recommend the phoneme discrimination test for selection of cochlear implant candidates and for the evaluation and fitting of cochlear implants. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Attitudes towards homosexuals in seven Caribbean countries: implications for an effective HIV response

Between 2000 and 2015, the number of people newly infected with HIV in the Caribbean decreased by 76% and HIV-related deaths by 42%. The number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) increased from near zero to 50% (44% to 57%) in 2015. In many Caribbean countries communities of men-who-have-sex-with-other-men (MSM) have higher incidence and prevalence of HIV. They are often stigmatized and subjected to both social and institutional discrimination. This study compared attitudes of the general public obtained through public opinion polls 2013–2014 towards homosexuals and willingness to socialize with them in seven Caribbean countries. Informants were asked if they “hate, tolerate or accept” homosexuals and if they would socialize with them. In St. Vincent 53% indicated they “hate” homosexuals, compared with 12% in Suriname; the converse was observed for those who “accept” homosexuals; 63% of St. Vincent informants would not socialize with homosexuals, compared with 25% in Suriname. Findings for the other 5 countries fell within these ranges. Women were more likely to accept and socialize with homosexuals, as were informants with a tertiary education and “passive” religious believers. These groups are less likely to adhere to a culture of “compulsory heterosexuality” or “hyper-masculinity” dominant among Caribbean men. The homophobic views expressed by these cultures result in stigma and discrimination by members of the “general” public towards MSM. This negatively affects the involvement of MSM in successful national HIV responses. Public messaging, communications campaigns and educational measures need to be employed to change the culture of “compulsory heterosexuality” or “hyper-masculinity” that result in stigma and discrimination of homosexuals to improve early access to services by MSM. Repeat use of well performed opinion polls is one method that can be employed to monitor progress over time in “key” and “general” populations.