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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018; 22(02): 113-118
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603763
Original Research
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Pitch-Matching Accuracy and Temporal Auditory Processing

Congeta Bruniere Xavier Fadel
1   Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
,
Angela Ribas
2   Post-Graduation Program in Communication Disorders, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
,
Débora Lüders
2   Post-Graduation Program in Communication Disorders, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
,
Vinicius Ribas Fonseca
2   Post-Graduation Program in Communication Disorders, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
3   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Otorrinos, Hospital da Cruz Vermelha, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
,
Monica Nunes Lima Cat
4   Post-Graduation in Children and Teenagers Health, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

23 December 2016

01 May 2017

Publication Date:
13 June 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction Pitch-matching refers to the ability to vocally reproduce an acoustic model in a corresponding tone to the presented sound. This ability, which is dependent on pitch perception ability, can vary among individuals, and some are not able to sing in the correct tune or discriminate differences between tones.

Objective To correlate pitch-matching accuracy and auditory processing in individuals without musical training.

Methods A Pitch-Matching Test (vocal reproduction of synthesized and human voice sounds) and two commercially available tests of auditory temporal processing (the Pitch Pattern Sequence Test and the Random Gap Detection Test) were administered to all participants. A total of 62 college students of both genders, aged between 18 and 35 years old, were divided into 2 groups, according to their performances in the Pitch-Matching Test (the accurate match group and the inaccurate match group).

Results In the Pitch-Matching Test, both groups achieved better results when reproducing vocalized sounds. The accurate match group achieved a significantly higher pitch pattern sequence test performance. In the Random Gap Detection Test analysis, there were no differences between the two groups. The Pearson's chi-squared test showed a direct correlation between the Pitch-Matching Test and the Pitch Pattern Sequence Test.

Conclusion The findings of this study suggest the existence of a significant relationship between temporal auditory processing and pitch-matching, through which accurate pitch-matching individuals perform better in the Pitch Pattern Sequence Test. Inaccurate pitch-matching individuals may be skilled at discriminating pitch, despite their poor performance in the Pitch-Matching Test.

Keywords

auditory perception - pitch discrimination - hearing tests - singing - voice
 

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