Jade can just barely detect a 4 ms gap in an ongoing broadband noise. Are their gap detection abilities better, worse, or the same as an average normal hearing young adult? a. Better than average b. Worse than average c. Same as average
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. Worse than average.
Gap detection refers to an individual’s ability to perceive brief pauses (gaps) in a continuous sound, which is an important aspect of auditory processing. It is often tested with broadband noise or pure tones, where a gap is introduced and the listener must identify it. In this case, Jade can barely detect a 4 millisecond (ms) gap in ongoing broadband noise.
For a normal hearing young adult, the average gap detection threshold in broadband noise typically ranges from 2 to 5 milliseconds, though some individuals may be able to detect gaps even shorter than 2 milliseconds. If Jade can only just barely detect a 4 ms gap, it suggests that their gap detection threshold is at the higher end of the normal range or possibly slightly beyond it.
This means that Jade’s ability to detect gaps is at least equal to, or possibly worse than, the typical average threshold for a young adult. If Jade can only detect 4 ms gaps with difficulty, it might indicate that their gap detection ability is slightly below average, meaning they are less sensitive to detecting brief pauses in sound compared to most young adults. This could be attributed to a variety of factors, including slight auditory processing differences or individual variation in sensory acuity.
In summary, the answer is “worse than average” because Jade’s ability to detect a 4 ms gap is at the threshold of detection, which may be less sensitive than the typical gap detection ability in a young adult with normal hearing.