Auditory comprehension of rate-manipulated yes/no questions [abstract]

Abstract

Under ideal listening conditions and when stimuli are presented at normal speaking rates, many aphasic individuals perform well on tasks such as answering yes/no questions. However, difficulty increases when auditory stimuli are presented at faster speaking rates. The purpose of this experiment was to determine how systematic manipulations in speaking rate affect auditory comprehension of yes/no questions. In order to standardize the stimuli to be used with aphasic individuals, this experiment was conducted with non-brain-injured subjects. Specific Yes/No questions were developed, recorded, and digitally modified using CSL to generate stimuli at several speaking rates. Stimuli were presented to non-brain-injured subjects via computer. Accuracy and response time for making yes/no decisions were measured.