Cognition and Speech-In-Noise Recognition: The Role of Proactive Interference

Background: Complex working memory (WM) span tasks have been shown to predict speech-in-noise (SIN) recognition. Studies of complex WM span tasks suggest that, rather than indexing a single cognitive process, performance on such tasks may be governed by separate cognitive subprocesses embedded within WM. Previous research has suggested that one such subprocess indexed by WM tasks is proactive interference (PI), which refers to difficulties memorizing current information because of interference from previously stored long-term memory representations for similar information.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate phonological PI and to examine the relationship between PI (semantic and phonological) and SIN perception.

Research Design: A within-subjects experimental design was used.

Study Sample: An opportunity sample of 24 young listeners with normal hearing was recruited.

Data Collection and Analysis: Measures of resistance to, and release from, semantic and phonological PI were calculated alongside the signal-to-noise ratio required to identify 50% of keywords correctly in a SIN recognition task. The data were analyzed using t-tests and correlations.

Results: Evidence of release from and resistance to semantic interference was observed. These measures correlated significantly with SIN recognition. Limited evidence of phonological PI was observed.

Conclusions: The results show that capacity to resist semantic PI can be used to predict SIN recognition scores in young listeners with normal hearing. On the basis of these findings, future research will focus on investigating whether tests of PI can be used in the treatment and/or rehabilitation of hearing loss.

Key Words

Cognition - executive function - proactive interference - speech-in-noise recognition - working memory