Auditory Short-Term Memory Evaluation in Noise in Musicians.

Abstract

Background:  Working memory, a short-term memory component, is a multicomponent system that manages attention and short-term memory in speech perception in challenging listening conditions. These challenging conditions cause listening effort that can be objectively evaluated by pupillometry. Studies show that auditory working memory is more developed in musicians for complex auditory tasks.

Purpose:  This study aims to compare the listening effort and short-term memory in noise between musicians and nonmusicians.

Research design:  An experimental research design was adopted for the study.

Study sample:  The study was conducted on 22 musicians and 20 nonmusicians between the ages of 20 and 45.

Data collection and analysis:  Participants' effort analysis was measured with pupillometry; performance analysis was measured with short-term memory score by listening to the 15 word lists of Verbal Memory Processes Test. Participants are tested under three conditions: quiet, +15 signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and +5 SNR.

Results:  While nonmusicians showed significantly higher short-term memory score (STMS) than musicians in the quiet condition, musicians' STMS were significantly higher in both noise conditions (+15 SNR and +5 SNR). The nonmusician's percentage of pupil growth averages were higher than the musicians for three conditions.

Conclusion:  As a result, musicians had better memory performance in noise and less effort in the listening task according to lower pupil growth. This study objectively evaluated the differences between participants' listening efforts by pupillometry. It is also observed that the SNR and music training affect memory performance.