Abstract

The present study aimed to explore a possible association between temporal resolution and speech discrimination in both quiet and noise in a group of older adults. Thirty subjects were selected for study purposes. All of them had absence of middle-ear pathology, diabetes, kidney failure, occupational noise exposure and neurological disease. Pure-tone audiometry, Random Gap Detection test (RGD), Maximum percentage of discrimination of monosyllables (MAX) and Hearing-in-Noise test (HINT) were carried out. Study group subjects were divided into two subgroups according to whether or not their hearing level was within normal ranges adjusted for age (ISO 7029). Significant differences for tests scores were found between groups. When the subgroup of subjects with normal-hearing thresholds was compared to the norms reported for RGDT and HINT, scores obtained by these subjects were below the norms. Clinical implications of these results and the role of temporal resolution in speech discrimination tasks are discussed.