Comparison of Adaptive and Nonadaptive Gap Detection in Noise Test in Typically Developing Children and Adults

J Am Acad Audiol. 2024 Jul;35(7-08):172-177. doi: 10.1055/s-0044-1791211. Epub 2024 Dec 19.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine whether the gap detection thresholds (GDT) obtained are similar between an adaptive and nonadaptive procedure in children and adults.

Study design: Standard group comparison.

Study sample: Eighteen typically developing children and 20 young adults with hearing thresholds of 25 dB HL or lower participated in this study.

Methods: Forced choice (FC) adaptive GDTs were obtained using psychoacoustic software, and nonadaptive GDTs were obtained using a clinically available gap in noise (GIN) test.

Results: Both children and adults showed significantly lower GDTs for the FC adaptive procedure when compared with thresholds obtained using the nonadaptive GIN test. GDTs were less variable for FC adaptive procedure when compared with the nonadaptive procedure.

Conclusion: Lower and less variable GDTs can be obtained from children and adults using an FC adaptive procedure.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / physiology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Auditory Threshold* / physiology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Hearing Tests / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Noise*
  • Psychoacoustics
  • Young Adult