THE DECLINE OF EYE-VOICE SPAN IN ELDERLY READERS

The performances of three age groups (50-, 60-, and 70-year-olds) were compared on an eye-voice span (EVS) task, and their performance was r elated to eyesight, intelligence (fluid and crystallized), education l evel, and quality and quantity of reading experience. There was a sign ificant age-related quantitative decline in EVS, but no qualitative ch ange. This decline could not be completely accounted for by any of the other variables, lending credence to a theory of a general aging effe ct. The finding that a decline in EVS was not reflected in a change in reading speed indicates a possible compensatory mechanism implication s of the findings are discussed.