Relation Between Musicianship and Speech Perception: The Mediating Roles of Auditory Sensitivity and Executive Function

Abstract

Previous research found that musicians often outperform non-musicians in speech perception. However, the exact mechanism underlying the musicians’ advantage is equivocal. This study aimed to investigate the pathway(s) between musicianship and speech perception. Specifically, the study examined the mediating role of auditory sensitivity and executive function in the relation between musicianship and speech perception. A total of 136 Cantonese-speaking adults were recruited. Participants completed a series of tests assessing their musicianship, auditory sensitivity, executive function, and speech perception. The findings showed that auditory sensitivity mediates the effect of musicianship on speech perception, whereas executive function does not serve as a significant mediator.

Keywords

auditory sensitivity executive function lexical tone perception segmental perception music

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