title: Visual information can hinder working memory processing of speech.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the new Cognitive Spare Capacity Test (CSCT), which measures aspects of working memory capacity for heard speech in the audiovisual and auditory-only modalities of presentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In Experiment 1, 20 young adults with normal hearing performed the CSCT and an independent battery of cognitive tests. In the CSCT, they listened to and recalled 2-digit numbers according to instructions inducing executive processing at 2 different memory loads. In Experiment 2, 10 participants performed a less executively demanding free recall task using the same stimuli.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CSCT performance demonstrated an effect of memory load and was associated with independent measures of executive function and inference making but not with general working memory capacity. Audiovisual presentation was associated with lower CSCT scores but higher free recall performance scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CSCT is an executively challenging test of the ability to process heard speech. It captures cognitive aspects of listening related to sentence comprehension that are quantitatively and qualitatively different from working memory capacity. Visual information provided in the audiovisual modality of presentation can hinder executive processing in working memory of nondegraded speech material.
authors.affiliation: Linnaeus Centre HEAD, Swedish Institute for Disability Research, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Sweden. sushmit.mishra@liu.se
authors.forename: Sushmit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lunner
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stenfelt
authors.forename: Jerker
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rönnberg
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rudner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D032882:Comprehension; D003463:Cues; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D010470:Perceptual Masking; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D013060:Speech; D013067:Speech Perception; D014796:Visual Perception; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: auditory processing; cognitive spare capacity; executive functions; free recall; speech understanding; working memory