MSc in Audiology
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/7199
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Item The Effect of Age of Second-Language Acquisition on Arabic-English bilingual English Speech Perception in Noise.(Queen Margaret University, 2017)Aims: The effect of age of language acquisition is a matter of contention in the literature, with the general consensus being that language acquisition earlier in life leads to more successful mastery of the language. Some research has been done to determine the exact nature of the effect of age of second language acquisition on second language proficiency, namely speech perception. The aim of this empirical study was to shed light on the effect of age of English acquisition on Arabic-English bilingual students' English speech perception in noise. The difference between the speech perception of late and early Arabic-English bilinguals was assessed, and the most significant factors causing any difference between them were investigated. Method: The participant base consisted of 15 monolingual (native) English speakers, 10 Arabic- English bilinguals who learned English prior to the age of 6 (early bilinguals), and 9 Arabic- English bilinguals who learned English after the age of 14(late bilinguals). Their English speech perception was tested using the AB word list test and the QuickSIN test which test speech perception in quiet and in noise, respectively. Results: The early bilinguals were found to have more accurate speech perception than the late bilinguals in both the quiet and noisy listening situations. The early bilinguals had native-like proficiency in the quiet environment and the late bilinguals never achieved native-like speech perception. In the speech-in-noise test it was found that age of L2 acquisition was the only significant predictor of speech perception compared to other variables such as daily English use and English experience in years. In the speech-in-quiet test no individual factor was found to be a significant predictor.Item Prevalence and Perception of Tinnitus Among Young Adults(Queen Margaret University, 2017)The research objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of tinnitus in the young adult population, to compare and contrast differences between peoples' tinnitus, and to investigate the individual perceptions and attitudes. The young adult population sample included people between the ages of 18-30 years. Data was collected using a self-completed, online questionnaire. The survey was advertised on the Queen Margaret University Research Recruitment Digest, on Facebook, and by the British Tinnitus Association (BTA). Of the 189 participants, 67.7% (128 participants) have experienced tinnitus before. Descriptive statistics were used to define, characterise and highlight the diversity of the sample population in terms of age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, and self perceived hearing levels. Tinnitus perceptions relating to localisation, frequency of occurrence, nature of the sounds, and intensity were investigated. Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores were calculated and the frequency distribution exhibited a positively skewed histogram. SPSS software was used to perform the Kruskal-Wallis test, which evidenced no significant differences between THI scores and age. Finally, open-ended questions in the survey were analysed qualitatively using a phenomenological data analysis method. The following themes were prominent among participants' transcripts: Uncertainty, attention related to disability, and acceptance. In conclusion tinnitus was determined to be a highly prevalent condition among young adults. Although widespread, it is experienced uniquely between individuals in terms of auditory characteristics, psychological effects and personal reactions. The results from the study can be applied to the improvement of clinical practice and raising public awareness about tinnitus, particularly in the young adult generation.