Association between Speech Perception and Working Memory with Competing Message in Musicians and Non-Musicians

Abstract

Aim: The study investigates the association between speech perception in noise (SPIN) and auditory working memory (AWM) in the presence of competing messages in musicians and non-musicians. Objectives: To evaluate the association between speech perception in noise at -5 dB, 0 dB,+5 dB SNRs and auditory working memory in the presence of a competing message at +3 dB,+5 dB & +7 dB SNR in musicians and non-musicians. Design: Based on the formal training in Carnatic music that each individual had received (greater than 5 years for M group) and the results of a questionnaire regarding musical perception ability (greater than or equal to 17 for M group), 40 individuals with normal hearing and hearing sensitivity were divided into two groups as musicians (M 20) and non-musicians (NM 20). Through the use of pure tone audiometry, tympanometry & reflexometry, and otoacoustic emissions; the normal hearing acuity of both groups was assessed. For the purpose of evaluating and comparing the relationship between speech perception in noise and auditory working memory when a competing message is present, speech perception in noise using Kannada PB words as signal and four talker babble as noise was obtained for +5 dB, 0 dB, and -5 dB SNRs. Working memory scores were also obtained while presenting talker babble as competing message for +3 dB, 5 dB, and +7 dB SNRs. Results: The results showed a significant difference between the two groups' SPIN scores, but not a significant difference between their AWM values. On both the forward and backward span tests, the correlation between spin and AWM was non-significant for SPIN +5 dB, SPIN 0 dB SNR, and SPIN -5 dB SNR. Discussion: The results demonstrated that there is no advantage of music for working memory tested in the presence of competing message, even though musical training aids in understanding speech in challenging listening situations like noise. Further research reveals that neither spin nor auditory working memory are correlated in musicians or non-musicians. Conclusion: Training in music will improve the ability to hear speech in noisy environments, which we encounter every day. There is debate over the relationship between SPIN and AWM and the impact of musical training on AWM.