Purpose
Evaluating the level of difficulty of identifying verbal and non-verbal stimuli, according to the classification of the participants, as well as comparing the latency of the P3 cortical potential.
Methods
Thirty subjects, with a mean age of 23 years and normal hearing, were evaluated. The P3 potential was performed with non-verbal stimuli (tone burst) and verbal (/ba/ x /di/, /ba/ x /ga/, /ba/ x /da/). Each subject had to classify stimulus in "the easiest" and "the most difficult".
Results
Most subjects rated the /ba/ x /di/ contrast as the easiest to identify and the contrast /ba/ x /ga/ the most difficult. The subjects reported that the speech stimulus were easier to identify when compared to tone burst. The difficulty level described by the subjects influenced the latencies of stimuli /Di/ and /Da/, ranked as the easiest and they were evidenced in the lowest latency of P3.
Conclusion
The /Ba/ x /Di/ contrast was considered the easiest for perception, being evidenced by the lowest latency of P3. The speech contrasts were classified as the easiest when compared with the tonal stimuli. These comparisons help the clinician in selecting the stimuli and in the correct audiological diagnosis.
Evoked potentials; Auditory; Event-related potentials; P300; Auditory perception; Auditory cortex; Adult
