Objective verification of continuous speech sound discrimination using the acoustic change complex

Eun Kyung Jeon; Sarah A. Klemuk; Carolyn J. Brown

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2026.1771785

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Objective verification of continuous speech sound discrimination using the acoustic change complex

Journal article

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Objective verification of continuous speech sound discrimination using the acoustic change complex

Eun Kyung Jeon, Sarah A. Klemuk and Carolyn J. Brown

Frontiers in human neuroscience, Vol.20, 1771785

06/01/2026

DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2026.1771785

PMCID: PMC13286905

PMID: 42344509

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of using the acoustic change complex (ACC) as an objective cortical marker of continuous speech sound discrimination using connected Ling-six stimuli.DesignCortical auditory evoked potentials were recorded from 10 young adults with normal hearing using a continuous, pause-free sequence of the six Ling phonemes (/u-a-i-ʃ-s-m/). ACC responses were recorded in a passive listening paradigm with minimal electrodes. Reproducibility was assessed in a subset of participants retested 1 year later.ResultsRobust ACC responses were elicited for all six phonemic transitions in every participant, indicating reliable cortical discrimination within the continuous speech stream. Although response morphology varied across listeners, within-subject responses demonstrated strong reproducibility over a one-year interval (mean cross-correlation = 0.95).ConclusionContinuous Ling-six stimuli reliably evoke ACC responses reflecting cortical speech sound discrimination. This efficient and repeatable paradigm shows promise as an objective verification tool for auditory learning and sound discrimination, particularly in populations for whom behavioral assessment is unreliable.

acoustic change complex

auditory cortex

cochlear implant

cortical auditory evoked potential

Ling six sounds

speech sound discrimination

Details

Title: Subtitle: Objective verification of continuous speech sound discrimination using the acoustic change complex
Creators: Eun Kyung Jeon - Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
Sarah A. Klemuk - University of Iowa
Carolyn J. Brown - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Frontiers in human neuroscience, Vol.20, 1771785
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2026.1771785
PMID: 42344509
PMCID: PMC13286905
NLM abbreviation: Front Hum Neurosci
ISSN: 1662-5161
eISSN: 1662-5161
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A
Grant note: NIH/NIDCD: R01 DC012082, P50 DC000242, 5 P50 DC000242-38 University of Iowa Foundation
The author(s) declared that financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. This study was funded by grants from the NIH/NIDCD (R01 DC012082; P50 DC000242; 5 P50 DC000242-38) and the University of Iowa Foundation.
Language: English
Date published: 06/01/2026
Academic Unit: Communication Sciences and Disorders; Otolaryngology
Record Identifier: 9985175373402771

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