Authors: Fjorda Kazazi¹
¹UCL
Background: The load theory of attention suggests that processing irrelevant information depends on perceptual load, where higher loads reduce the processing of distractors. While individuals who stutter (PWS) may rely more on cognitive resources during speech, it is unclear if this extends to non-speech spatial auditory processing. This study investigated auditory processing under cognitive demand in PWS using a dual-task paradigm.
Method: Twenty-two PWS and 22 matched controls participated in a dual-task spatial auditory paradigm with varying levels of perceptual load. Stimuli were spatialized to simulate real-world environments. Primary task performance (accuracy and reaction time) and secondary task detection sensitivity (DS) were measured to evaluate auditory processing efficiency under cognitive load.
Results: Both groups experienced reduced accuracy and increased reaction times as perceptual load increased. However, PWS exhibited lower detection sensitivity overall. A significant Group × Load interaction indicated that PWS faced greater impairment under high-load conditions. Exploratory analysis further revealed that detection sensitivity was a strong predictor of group membership (AUC = 0.81).
Conclusion: The findings indicate reduced auditory processing efficiency in PWS during high cognitive load within spatial listening environments. These results extend load theory to auditory cognition in stuttering and suggest that detection sensitivity could serve as a behavioral marker for listening effort in complex acoustic settings.
