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Loutrari A, Alqadi A, Jiang C, Liu F. Exploring the role of singing, semantics, and amusia screening in speech-in-noise perception in musicians and non-musicians. Cogn Process 2024; 25:147-161. [PMID: 37851154 PMCID: PMC10827916 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-023-01165-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Sentence repetition has been the focus of extensive psycholinguistic research. The notion that music training can bolster speech perception in adverse auditory conditions has been met with mixed results. In this work, we sought to gauge the effect of babble noise on immediate repetition of spoken and sung phrases of varying semantic content (expository, narrative, and anomalous), initially in 100 English-speaking monolinguals with and without music training. The two cohorts also completed some non-musical cognitive tests and the Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Amusia (MBEA). When disregarding MBEA results, musicians were found to significantly outperform non-musicians in terms of overall repetition accuracy. Sung targets were recalled significantly better than spoken ones across groups in the presence of babble noise. Sung expository targets were recalled better than spoken expository ones, and semantically anomalous content was recalled more poorly in noise. Rerunning the analysis after eliminating thirteen participants who were diagnosed with amusia showed no significant group differences. This suggests that the notion of enhanced speech perception-in noise or otherwise-in musicians needs to be evaluated with caution. Musicianship aside, this study showed for the first time that sung targets presented in babble noise seem to be recalled better than spoken ones. We discuss the present design and the methodological approach of screening for amusia as factors which may partially account for some of the mixed results in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadne Loutrari
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, WC1N 1PF, UK
| | - Aseel Alqadi
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK
| | - Cunmei Jiang
- Music College, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Fang Liu
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK.
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Lum JAG, Clark GM, Bigelow FJ, Enticott PG. Resting state electroencephalography (EEG) correlates with children's language skills: Evidence from sentence repetition. Brain Lang 2022; 230:105137. [PMID: 35576738 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2022.105137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Spontaneous neural oscillatory activity reflects the brain's functional architecture and has previously been shown to correlate with perceptual, motor and executive skills. The current study used resting state electroencephalography to examine the relationship between spontaneous neural oscillatory activity and children's language skills. Participants in the study were 52 English-speaking children aged around 10-years. Language was assessed using a sentence repetition task. The main analysis revealed resting state theta power negatively correlated with this task. No significant correlations were found in the other studied frequency bands (delta, alpha, beta, gamma). As part of typical brain development, spontaneous theta power declines across childhood and adolescence. The negative correlation observed in this study may therefore be indicating children's language skills are related to the maturation of theta oscillations. More generally, the study provides further evidence that oscillatory activity in the developing brain, even at rest, is reliably associated with children's language skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrad A G Lum
- School of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Gillian M Clark
- School of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Felicity J Bigelow
- School of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Peter G Enticott
- School of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Prentza A, Tafiadis D, Chondrogianni V, Tsimpli IM. Validation of a Greek Sentence Repetition Task with Typically Developing Monolingual and Bilingual Children. J Psycholinguist Res 2022; 51:373-395. [PMID: 35286538 DOI: 10.1007/s10936-022-09853-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study provides a preliminary validation of a Greek Sentence Repetition Task (SRT) with a sample of 110 monolingual and bilingual typically developing (TLD) children and examines the test's ability to distinguish between Greek monolingual children and age-matched Albanian-Greek bilinguals using a Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis. This is the first study to report on the psychometric evaluation of a Greek SRT and its discriminatory ability with typical populations. Since most language assessments are standardized with monolinguals and bilingual children tend to underperform on these compared to monolinguals, it is essential to establish the level of bilingual TLD children's ability on the same tests before moving on to diagnose language impairment in bilinguals. Results showed that the Greek SRT had very high validity and reliability scores, with Accuracy measures being more reliable than Grammaticality measures. The school-age monolingual and bilingual TLD children reached different cut-off scores on this task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Prentza
- Department of Linguistics, School of Philology, Faculty of Philosophy, University Campus, 1186, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Dionysios Tafiadis
- Department of Speech & Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, University Campus, 1186, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Chondrogianni
- Department of Linguistics and English Language, School of Philosophy, University of Edinburgh, Dugald Stewart Building, 3 Charles Street, EH8 9AD, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ianthi-Maria Tsimpli
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics, University of Cambridge, English Faculty Building, Room TR-11, 9 West Road Cambridge, CB3 9DP, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Hong T, Wang J, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Shu H, Li P. Age-sensitive associations of segmental and suprasegmental perception with sentence-level language skills in Mandarin-speaking children with cochlear implants. Res Dev Disabil 2019; 93:103453. [PMID: 31421305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2019.103453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM It remains unclear how recognition of segmental and suprasegmental phonemes contributes to sentence-level language processing skills in Mandarin-speaking children with cochlear implants (CIs). Our study examined the influence of implantation age on the recognition of consonants, lexical tones and sentences respectively, and more importantly, the contribution of phonological skills to sentence repetition accuracy in Mandarin-speaking children with CIs. METHODS The participants were three groups of prelingually deaf children who received cochlear implants at various ages and their age-matched controls with normal hearing. Three tasks were administered to assess their consonant perception, lexical tone recognition and language skills in open-set sentence repetition. RESULTS Children with CIs lagged behind NH peers in all the three tests, and performances on segmental, suprasegmental and sentence-level processing were differentially modulated by implantation age. Furthermore, performances on recognition of consonants and lexical tones were significant predictors of sentence repetition accuracy in the children with CIs. CONCLUSION Overall, segmental and suprasegmental perception as well as sentence-level processing is impaired in Mandarin-speaking children with CIs compared with age-matched children with NH. In children with CIs recognition of segmental and suprasegmental phonemes at the lower level predicts sentence repetition accuracy at the higher level. More importantly, implantation age plays an important role in the development of phonological skills and higher-order language skills, suggesting that age-appropriate aural rehabilitation and speech intervention programs need to be developed in order to better help CI users who receive CIs at different ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Hong
- National Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiuju Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Linjun Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Language Resources and College of Advanced Chinese Training, Beijing Language and Culture University, No.15 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences and Center for Neurobehavioral Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Hua Shu
- National Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Psychology & Center for Brain, Behavior and Cognition, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA
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Doosti A, Jalalipour M, Ahmadi T, Hashemi SB, Haghjou S, Bakhshi E. Enhancing Working Memory Capacity in Persian Cochlear Implanted Children: A Clinical Trial Study. Iran J Otorhinolaryngol 2018; 30:77-83. [PMID: 29594073 PMCID: PMC5866485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sensory deprivations such as hearing impairment that affect sensory input have a secondary impact on cognitive functions such as working memory (WM). WM capacity is an important cognitive component that processes language-related activities. Moreover, several studies have shown a deficit in WM in children with a cochlear implant (CI). We aimed to assess the performance of children with CIs in pre- and post-training sessions and compare their scores on a battery of WM tests to investigate the efficacy of a WM training program. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five children aged 7-10 years with a CI participated in this study. To train their WM, a computer game was used. In order to examine auditory WM, a test battery including standardized digit span (forward and backward variations), non-word and sentence repetition (subtest of the Test of Language Development-Primary) were assessed in pre- and post-training test sessions at Shiraz Implant Center. RESULTS There were statistically significant differences between pre- and post-training test scores on all subtests. Test score differences were statistically significant for forward digit span (P=0.003), backward digit span (P=0.001), non-word repetition (P=0.001), and sentence repetition tasks (P=0.003) before and after training sessions. CONCLUSION Training may enhance WM capacity. With regards to the importance of WM in literacy and learning, it seems applying such intervention programs may be helpful in the rehabilitation of implanted children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Doosti
- Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Maryam Jalalipour
- Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Tayebeh Ahmadi
- Department of Audiology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Seyed Basir Hashemi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Shapour Haghjou
- Fars Cochlear Implant Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Enayatollah Bakhshi
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Brynskov C, Eigsti IM, Jørgensen M, Lemcke S, Bohn OS, Krøjgaard P. Syntax and Morphology in Danish-Speaking Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:373-383. [PMID: 27844246 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2962-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The current study examined delays in syntax and morphology, and vocabulary, in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children ages 4-6 years with ASD (n = 21) and typical development (n = 21), matched on nonverbal mental age, completed five language tasks. The ASD group had significant delays in both syntax and morphology, and vocabulary measures, with significant within-group heterogeneity; furthermore, syntactic and morphological measures were impaired even for subgroups matched on vocabulary. Children in the ASD group without early language delay showed syntactic and morphological impairment, with intact performance on vocabulary and sentence repetition. Findings indicate that syntactic and morphological impairments are a significant concern for high-functioning children with ASD, and may be overlooked if language evaluation focuses exclusively on vocabulary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Brynskov
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Inge-Marie Eigsti
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA
| | - Meta Jørgensen
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sanne Lemcke
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ocke-Schwen Bohn
- Department of English, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Center on Autobiographical Memory Research, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Krøjgaard
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Center on Autobiographical Memory Research, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Meltzer JA, Rose NS, Deschamps T, Leigh RC, Panamsky L, Silberberg A, Madani N, Links KA. Semantic and phonological contributions to short-term repetition and long-term cued sentence recall. Mem Cognit 2016; 44:307-29. [PMID: 26374330 DOI: 10.3758/s13421-015-0554-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The function of verbal short-term memory is supported not only by the phonological loop, but also by semantic resources that may operate on both short and long time scales. Elucidation of the neural underpinnings of these mechanisms requires effective behavioral manipulations that can selectively engage them. We developed a novel cued sentence recall paradigm to assess the effects of two factors on sentence recall accuracy at short-term and long-term stages. Participants initially repeated auditory sentences immediately following a 14-s retention period. After this task was complete, long-term memory for each sentence was probed by a two-word recall cue. The sentences were either concrete (high imageability) or abstract (low imageability), and the initial 14-s retention period was filled with either an undemanding finger-tapping task or a more engaging articulatory suppression task (Exp. 1, counting backward by threes; Exp. 2, repeating a four-syllable nonword). Recall was always better for the concrete sentences. Articulatory suppression reduced accuracy in short-term recall, especially for abstract sentences, but the sentences initially recalled following articulatory suppression were retained better at the subsequent cued-recall test, suggesting that the engagement of semantic mechanisms for short-term retention promoted encoding of the sentence meaning into long-term memory. These results provide a basis for using sentence imageability and subsequent memory performance as probes of semantic engagement in short-term memory for sentences.
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Leclercq AL, Quémart P, Magis D, Maillart C. The sentence repetition task: a powerful diagnostic tool for French children with specific language impairment. Res Dev Disabil 2014; 35:3423-3430. [PMID: 25200677 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This study assesses the diagnostic accuracy and construct validity of a sentence repetition task that is commonly used for the identification of French children with specific language impairment (SLI). Thirty-four school-aged children with a confirmed, diagnostically based diagnosis of SLI, and 34 control children matched on age and nonverbal abilities performed the sentence repetition task. Two general scoring measures took into account the verbatim repetition of the sentence and the number of words accurately repeated. Moreover, five other scoring measures were applied to their answers in order to separately take into account their respect of lexical items, functional items, syntax, verb morphology, and the general meaning of the sentence. Results show good to high levels of sensitivity and specificity at the three cut-off points for all scoring measures. A principal component analysis revealed two factors. Scoring measures for the respect of functional words, syntax and verb morphology provided the largest loadings to the first factor, while scoring measures for the respect of lexical words and general semantics provided the largest loadings to the second factor. Sentence repetition appears to be a valuable tool to identify SLI in French children, and the ability to repeat sentences correctly is supported by two factors: a morphosyntactic factor and a lexical factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Lise Leclercq
- University of Liège, Department of Psychology: Cognition and Behaviour, Belgium.
| | - Pauline Quémart
- University of Poitiers and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France
| | - David Magis
- University of Liège, Department of Education, Belgium
| | - Christelle Maillart
- University of Liège, Department of Psychology: Cognition and Behaviour, Belgium
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