Simultaneous and staggered dichotic word and digit tests with stutterers and nonstutterers

The present study compared the performance of stuttering adults and matched controls on the Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW) test and three experimental digit tests-Two Pair Digit-TPD, Staggered Digits Simultaneous-SDS, and Staggered Digits Offset-SDO. Results indicated differences between stuttering and nonstuttering group mean values on the left ear scores of the TPD test, and on the numbers of reversals on both the SDS and SDO tests. The SSW, SDS, and SDO tests were all found to produce similar results in both stutteres and nonstutterers. However, the numbers of reversals on the SDS and SDO tests were significantly greater than those observed on the SSW test for both groups. Finally, the TPD test was found to be significantly more difficult for both groups than either of the other two experimental tests (i.e., SDS and SDO). These results are discussed in terms of similarity and differences with other dichotic listening studies. Limitations of the study and implications for further research are also presented.