Relationship between spectrotemporal modulation in non-speech sounds and valence ratings for adults with and without hearing loss (L)

Key Points

• This research evaluates how non-speech sounds with varying spectrotemporal modulation affect valence ratings, particularly in individuals with and without hearing loss.
• Evaluated differences in valence ratings for a set of nonspeech sounds.
• Extracted modulation index values at five rates across 17 auditory-frequency bands.
• Compared the strength of relationships between modulation index and valence ratings between adults with and without hearing loss.
• Higher valence ratings correlated with lower modulation values below 500 Hz.
• Higher modulation values in the 1620-4000 Hz region also associated with increased valence ratings.
• Listeners with hearing loss showed shallower relationships between modulation index and valence ratings compared to those with normal hearing.

Abstract