A smaller percentage, perhaps about 7% of the currently unexplained variance in spoken word recognition scores, may be accounted for in terms of working memory capacity. The results suggest that perhaps as much as 20% of the currently unexplained variance in spoken word recognition scores may be independently accounted for by individual differences in cognitive factors related to the speed and efficiency with which phonological and lexical representations of spoken words are maintained in and retrieved from working memory. Strong correlations were also observed between speaking rate and both forward and backward digit span, a result that is similar to previously reported findings in normal-hearing adults and children. The pooled data indicate that despite statistical “partialling-out” of differences in chronological age, communication mode, duration of deafness, duration of device use, age at onset of deafness, number of active electrodes, and speech feature discrimination, significant correlations still remain between digit span and several measures of spoken word recognition.
SAMPLE BACKWARD DIGIT SPAN WISC FULL
The present study replicates and extends these initial findings to the full set of 176 participants in the CID cochlear implant study. Recently, Pisoni and Geers (2000) reported that simple forward digit span measures of verbal working memory were significantly correlated with spoken word recognition scores even after potentially confounding variables were statistically controlled for. Large individual differences in spoken word recognition performance have been found in deaf children after cochlear implantation.