Operant audiometry with severely retarded children

Abstract

The paper describes procedures for establishing stimulus control with an operant audiometricprogram. The procedures were applied to severely retarded children using both ascending and descending methods for establishing thresholds. Various pre-test stimulus control criteria were used to determine their effect on threshold variability. Results indicated that: (a) the described procedure provides reliable thresholds; (b) ascending-descending measurement methods are not a critical variable in threshold variability; and (c) stimulus control criteria has a major effect on threshold variability.

Key Words:

• Ascending and descending thresholds
• Stimulus control criteria
• Operant reinforcement principles
• Threshold variability