Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

A pediatric patient with hearing loss struggles with same versus different judgments of presented phonemes. Which level of the auditory hierarchy is this child struggling with?

1. Comprehension

2. Detection

3. Discrimination

4. Recognition

The correct answer is: Discrimination

The child’s difficulty with making same versus different judgments of phonemes indicates a struggle with the discrimination level of the auditory hierarchy. Discrimination refers to the ability to differentiate between sounds, such as recognizing whether two phonemes are the same or different. This skill is crucial for understanding speech, as it enables an individual to perceive nuances in sounds that signify different meanings or words. In this case, the child is not just detecting the presence of sound but specifically finding it challenging to discern variations between phonemes. The difficulty lies in processing auditory information to identify subtle differences, which is essential for language development and effective communication. Comprehension involves understanding the meaning of spoken language, which is not the immediate issue here. Detection pertains to being aware of sounds in the environment, while recognition refers to identifying and recalling previously learned sounds or words. Since the core issue for the child revolves around distinguishing between phonemes, the focus clearly rests on the discrimination level within the auditory hierarchy.