How does extensively practiced speech memory remain dependent on momentary sensory input, and how does this interaction shape brain activity during development? This perspective integrates exploratory behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) findings from a culturally situated spoken-sequence recognition paradigm with a working memory episodic-buffer account....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change for audiology clinical practice; this is foundational neuroscience with implications for future speech-in-noise assessment design, particularly across cultural groups.
Understanding the developmental and cultural dimensions of speech-in-noise processing could eventually improve test norming and hearing rehabilitation strategies for diverse pediatric populations.
- 01ERP methods reveal developmental differences in how overlearned (very familiar) speech is recalled in noisy settings.
- 02An episodic buffer model is used to frame how the brain blends memory and incoming sound.
- 03Cultural context appears to influence brain activity patterns during speech-in-noise tasks.
- 04Study published in Brain and Cognition; primary audience is cognitive neuroscientists.
- 05Findings are preliminary and not directly applicable to clinical audiology protocols.
Cultural situatedness modulates brain activity during recall of overlearned speech in noise across developmental stages.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42843130
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bandc.2026.106487.
- Journal
- Brain and Cognition
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Developing individuals (children and/or adolescents) assessed on speech-in-noise memory tasks
- Intervention
- Recall of overlearned speech presented in noise
- Comparator
- Developmental comparison groups (age-based)
Primary outcomes
ERP (event-related potential) waveform components during speech-in-noise recall; Developmental differences in episodic buffer engagement