Pure-tone sensitivity of human infants.
Pure-tone thresholds at frequencies ranging from 250 to 8000 Hz were estimated for 3-, 6-, and 12-month-old infants and for adults, using the Observer-based Psychoacoustic Procedure (OPP). Sounds were presented monaurally using an earphone. Psychometric functions of infants were similar to those of adults, although 3-month-olds had shallower functions at higher frequencies. The thresholds of 6- and 12-month-old infants were 10-15 dB higher than those of the adults, with the difference being greater at lower frequencies. This result is in general agreement with results from other laboratories. The thresholds of 3-month-olds were 15-30 dB higher than those of adults. The greatest difference between 3-month-olds and adults was at 8000 Hz. This threshold difference is smaller than that reported in earlier behavioral studies; higher thresholds at high frequencies have been previously reported for newborn and 3-month-old infants. The relative contributions of sensory and nonsensory variables to these age differences are discussed.
Olsho
L W
LW
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Koch
E G
EG
Carter
E A
EA
Halpin
C F
CF
Spetner
N B
NB
D001143:Arousal; D001288:Attention; D001299:Audiometry; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D002657:Child Development; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010897:Pitch Discrimination; D011571:Psychoacoustics; D012016:Reference Values