Temporal Factors and the Aging Auditory System

Emphasis is placed on the role that auditory timing can play in speech reception by elderly listeners. Two procedures are described for evaluating auditory temporal functions(1) auditory fusion, and (2) rate-altered speech. Evidence is provided showing a beginning decrement in auditory fusion ability in the fifth decade of life. The data also indicate that rate-altered speech differentially affects accuracy of response as a function of both age and type of stimulus material.