title: Impact of sensory acuity on auditory working memory span in young and older adults.
abstract: The impact of sensory acuity, processing speed, and working memory capacity on auditory working memory span (L-span) performance at 5 presentation levels was examined in 80 young adults (18-30 years of age) and 26 older adults (60-82 years of age). Lowering the presentation level of the L-span task had a greater detrimental effect on the older adults than on the younger ones. Furthermore, the relationship between sensory acuity and L-span performance varied as a function of age and presentation level. These results suggest that declining acuity plays an important explanatory role in age-related declines in cognitive abilities.
authors: Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444, USA. cbaldwi4@gmu.edu
authors: Carryl L
authors: CL
authors: Baldwin
authors: Ivan K
authors: IK
authors: Ash
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D055815:Young Adult