Response Advantage for the Identification of Speech Sounds.The ability to distinguish among different types of sounds in the environment and to identify sound sources is a fundamental skill of the auditory system. 
Response Advantage for the Identification of Speech Sounds
Response Advantage for the Identification of Speech Sounds.The ability to distinguish among different types of sounds in the environment and to identify sound sources is a fundamental skill of the auditory system. 
The ability to distinguish among different types of sounds in the environment and to identify sound sources is a fundamental skill of the auditory system.
Response Advantage for the Identification of Speech Sounds.The ability to distinguish among different types of sounds in the environment and to identify sound sources is a fundamental skill of the auditory system.  This study tested responses to sounds by stimulus category (speech, music, and environmental) in adults with normal hearing to determine under what task conditions there was a processing advantage for speech.  We hypothesized that speech sounds would be processed faster and more accurately than non-speech sounds under specific listening conditions and different behavioral goals.  Faster and more accurate responses to speech were found only when identifying sounds.  We demonstrate a speech processing "advantage" when identifying the sound category among non-categorical sounds and when detecting and identifying among categorical sounds.  Thus, overall, our results are consistent with a theory of speech processing that relies on specialized systems distinct from music and other environmental sounds.
speech
This study tested responses to sounds by stimulus category (speech, music, and environmental) in adults with normal hearing to determine under what task conditions there was a processing advantage for speech.  Thus, overall, our results are consistent with a theory of speech processing that relies on specialized systems distinct from music and other environmental sounds.
music
This study tested responses to sounds by stimulus category (speech, music, and environmental) in adults with normal hearing to determine under what task conditions there was a processing advantage for speech.  Thus, overall, our results are consistent with a theory of speech processing that relies on specialized systems distinct from music and other environmental sounds.
environmental