Effect of Age and Hearing Loss on Gap Detection Threshold

Abstract

Gap Detection Thresholds (GDT) were measured using a gap detection test for 3 groups of listeners: young adults with hearing loss, older adults with normal hearing sensitivity and older adults with sensorineural hearing loss. This study examined the effect of age and hearing loss on gap detection threshold. The test material was Gap detection test (using broadband noise) CD developed by Shivaprakash (2003). The results indicated that the age and hearing loss has effect on gap detection thresholds. However, there is very minimal effect of hearing loss on gap detection threshold in older adults than in young adults. There is no effect of configuration (flat and sloping) of hearing loss on gap detection threshold in old and young adults with mild and moderate sensorineural hearing loss. There is no significant difference between right and left ears gap detection thresholds in all groups.