Psychometric and behavioral measures of central auditory function: The relationship between dichotic listening and digit span tasks

Arthur C. Maerlender, Deborah J. Wallis, Peter K. Isquith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

We hypothesized that the Digit Span (DS) subtest and component tasks (Wechsler, 1991) would show strong relationships with a dichotic listening test (Musiek, 1983). In two sets of archival clinical data (N = 74 and N = 51) we demonstrated that: (a) individuals with central auditory deficits had lower DS scores, F(1,72) = 7.34, p = .008; η2 = .09; and (b) left-ear dichotic deficits impacted forward span, F(2,48) = 8.45, p = .001. Right-ear dichotic listening performance also accounted for significant variance in digit forward span (R2 = 0.17, p = .003). While limited in scope, the studies conclude that forward but not reverse span performance is strongly related to dichotic listening, and can serve as a marker for possible central auditory deficits.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)318-327
Number of pages10
JournalChild Neuropsychology
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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