Work

Real-time spoken word recognition in deaf and hard of hearing preschoolers: Effects of phonological competition

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates how phonological competition affects real-time spoken word recognition in deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) preschoolers compared to peers with hearing in the normal range (NH). Three-to-six-year olds (27 with NH, 18 DHH, including uni- and bilateral hearing losses) were instructed to look at pictures that corresponded to words alongside a phonological competitor (e.g., / b in- p in /) vs. an unrelated distractor (e.g., / t oy- b ed /). Phonological competitors contrasted in either voicing or place of articulation (PoA), in the onset or coda of the word. Relative to peers with NH, DHH preschoolers showed reduced looks to target in reaction to the spoken words specifically when competition was present. DHH preschoolers may thus, as a group, experience increased phonological competition during word recognition. There was no evidence that phonological properties (voicing vs. PoA, or onset vs. coda) differentially impacted word recognition.

Source: Journal of Child Language

DOI: 10.1017/s0305000925000066

Authors: Rosanne Abrahamse, Nan Xu Rattanasone, Rebecca Holt, Katherine Demuth, Titia Benders

Institutions: Macquarie University, University of Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Hearing Impairment and Communication

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550

Funder: Australian Research Council