K. Tremblay et al., The time course of auditory perceptual learning: neurophysiological changes during speech-sound training, NEUROREPORT, 9(16), 1998, pp. 3557-3560
HERE we report that training-associated changes in neural activity can prec
ede behavioral learning. This finding suggests that speech-sound learning o
ccurs at a pre-attentive level which can be measured neurophysiologically (
in the absence of a behavioral response) to assess the efficacy of training
. Children with biologically based perceptual learning deficits as well as
people who wear cochlear implants or hearing aids undergo various forms of
auditory training. The effectiveness of auditory training can be difficult
to assess using behavioral methods because these populations are communicat
ively impaired and may have attention and/or cognitive deficits. Based on o
ur findings, if neurophysiological changes are seen during auditory trainin
g, then the training method is effectively altering the neural representati
on of the speech/sounds and changes in behavior are likely to follow. Neuro
Report 9: 3557-3560 (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.