Following the Sound of Music

Digits-in-Noise Task

The Digits-in-Noise (DIN) test presents trials of three sequential spoken digits against a broad-band, speech-shaped masker. Signal/noise ratio is varied adaptively to track 50% correct. The dependent variable is the threshold noise tolerance in dB. Lower scores indicate better performance.

Spatial Release From Masking Task

Tests the ability to distinguish speech from competing speech. Collocated condition uses target and two competing maskers all located directly in front of the listener, and spatially separated condition uses two masking sentences sent from 45 degrees to the left and right of center. Sentences are correctly identified as part of a series of test trials in which TMR progressively reduced every two trials. The dependent variable is the threshold target-to-masker ratio (TMR) as estimated based on the number of sentences correctly identified. Lower scores indicate better performance.

Dichotic Sentence Identification Task

The DSI test simultaneously presents two nonsense sentences, one to each ear. Participants indicate two sentences heard from a list of alternatives. DSI sentences are presented at a comfortable listening level, usually 50 dB above pure-tone average of each ear. The dependent variable is the percentage of sentences correctly identified. Higher scores indicate better performance.

Revised Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (RHHI)

Survey that assesses the perceived level of hearing ability under different environmental or social situations, and participants also self-report ear surgeries or known ear pathologies. The dependent variable is total score (summed). Higher scores indicate greater perceived handicap.

Speech Recognition Threshold using Coordinate Response Measure

SRT stimuli from the Coordinate Response Measure are sentences that participants hear that contain a color and number (e.g., "Ready Charlie, go to blue three now"). Participants select one of 36 colored/numbered squares that matches the color-number combination of the sentence. The dependent variable is the threshold target-to-masker ratio (TMR) as estimated based on the number of sentences correctly identified as part of a series of 20 test trials in which TMR progressively reduced every two trials. Lower scores indicate better performance.

Gap Detection Task

Temporal sensitivity to silent gaps between pairs of brief (4 ms) bandlimited stimuli. The gap duration will start at 6 ms, and be reduced from there using a staircase procedure. The dependent variable is the threshold (in ms) at which participants stop responding accurately. Lower scores indicate better performance.

Spectrotemporal Sensitivity Task

Stimuli are either unmodulated or are spectrotemporally modulated in amplitude using two cycles/octave for the spectral modulation and 4 Hz for the temporal modulation. Modulation depth in decibels (dB) will be adaptively varied to estimate threshold. The dependent variable is the threshold (in dB) at which participants stop responding accurately. Lower scores indicate better performance.

POMS 2-A

Self report measure assessing current mood states in adults. Participants rate descriptive mood words according to how they feel during the specified assessment timeframe using a 5-point response scale. The dependent variable is Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score, with higher values indicating greater overall mood disturbance.

Ryff's Scale of Psychological Well-being Score

Self-report questionnaire that assesses six domains of well-being (self-acceptance, environmental mastery, positive relations, purpose in life, personal growth, and autonomy). Higher scores indicate greater perceived well-being.

Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS)

A 7-item self-report measure assessing positive mental well-being. Participants rate statements about their thoughts and feelings over the specified assessment period using a 5-point response scale. The dependent variable is the total well-being score, with higher values indicating greater mental well-being.

Musicality Survey

Self-report survey of participants' past musical experiences, with items including the Active Engagement, Perceptual Abilities, and Emotions factors from the Goldsmith's Music Sophistication Index, the Absorption factor from the Extended Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire, and selected items from the Ollen Music Sophistication Index. Higher scores indicate greater self-reported musical involvement and ability.