Effects of Musical Training on Auditory Processing Skills
Abstract
Previous research has shown that musicians have enhanced auditory processing when compared to non-musicians. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an impact of musical training on auditory processing abilities in college-aged students. It is hypothesized that musicians will have enhanced auditory processing when compared to non-musicians. Participants tested were musicians and non-musicians ages 18 – 30 years old. Participants categorized as musicians had more than 5 years of musician experience and are currently in ensembles. Non-musicians reported having no longer than 2 years of formal musical training. The participants completed case history and a music experience questionnaire. The testing procedure included, otoscopy, tympanometry, acoustic reflexes, distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (an objective test of the cochlear function), comprehensive audiologic evaluation with extended high frequencies, Adaptive Tests of Temporal Resolution, Words-in-Noise, and Listening in Spatialized Noise: Sentence Test. This is an ongoing research project with data collection still being conducted. Of the results examined thus far from musicians and non-musicians, there are no statistically significant differences between the two groups when the auditory processing measures were analyzed. Final results of the evaluations will be presented during the symposium.
Start Time
16-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 4:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Graduate Student - Doctoral
Faculty Mentor
Jacek Smurzynski
Faculty Department
Audiology and Speech Language Pathology
Effects of Musical Training on Auditory Processing Skills
Previous research has shown that musicians have enhanced auditory processing when compared to non-musicians. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an impact of musical training on auditory processing abilities in college-aged students. It is hypothesized that musicians will have enhanced auditory processing when compared to non-musicians. Participants tested were musicians and non-musicians ages 18 – 30 years old. Participants categorized as musicians had more than 5 years of musician experience and are currently in ensembles. Non-musicians reported having no longer than 2 years of formal musical training. The participants completed case history and a music experience questionnaire. The testing procedure included, otoscopy, tympanometry, acoustic reflexes, distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (an objective test of the cochlear function), comprehensive audiologic evaluation with extended high frequencies, Adaptive Tests of Temporal Resolution, Words-in-Noise, and Listening in Spatialized Noise: Sentence Test. This is an ongoing research project with data collection still being conducted. Of the results examined thus far from musicians and non-musicians, there are no statistically significant differences between the two groups when the auditory processing measures were analyzed. Final results of the evaluations will be presented during the symposium.