# Audiovisual Speech-In-Noise (SIN) Performance of Young Adults with ADHD

**Authors:** Gavindya Jayawardena, Anne M. P. Michalek, Andrew T. Duchowski, Sampath Jayarathna  
**arXiv:** [2004.08390](https://arxiv.org/abs/2004.08390)  
**Date:** 2020-04-17  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2004.08390v1/

## Key points

- Study focuses on audiovisual Speech-In-Noise (SIN) performance of young adults with ADHD
- Challenges faced by adolescents with ADHD in processing speech in noisy environments due to inhibitory control and working memory issues
- Pilot study compared young adults with ADHD to age-matched neurotypical controls using eye-tracking measures
- Significant difference between ADHD group and neurotypical group at 15 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
- Individuals with ADHD may have greater difficulty understanding speech in noisy settings compared to neurotypical counterparts
- Research highlights importance of audiovisual interventions for improving communication abilities in individuals with attention disorders
- Findings emphasize the need for tailored support strategies for individuals with ADHD in challenging listening environments

## Summary

The study conducted by Gavindya Jayawardena, Anne M. P. Michalek, Andrew T. Duchowski, and Sampath Jayarathna focuses on the audiovisual Speech-In-Noise (SIN) performance of young adults with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The researchers aimed to address the challenges faced by adolescents with ADHD in processing speech in noisy environments due to difficulties in inhibitory control and working memory capacity. To achieve this goal, they designed a pilot study that compared young adults with ADHD to age-matched neurotypical controls using eye-tracking measures. The audiovisual SIN task employed in the study involved varying levels of background babble accompanied by visual cues. The results revealed a significant difference between the ADHD group and the neurotypical group at a 15 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), indicating that individuals with ADHD may have greater difficulty understanding speech in noisy settings compared to their neurotypical counterparts. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights to the existing literature on young adults with ADHD and highlights the importance of considering audiovisual interventions to improve communication abilities in individuals with attention disorders. The study's findings underscore the need for tailored support strategies for individuals with ADHD when navigating challenging listening environments.