Influence of visual attention on auditory attention in aphasia

Abstract

Auditory attention and the effect of directing visual attention on extinction were studied in five participants with aphasia. The study was conducted to test the hypothesis that extinction would be present in participants with aphasia and extinction would be significantly reduced by covertly orienting participants' attention to the extinguished side. Extinction was found to be present in participants with aphasia, however not to the same degree as has been found in previous studies with right hemisphere participants. Additionally, for most participants, covert orienting of attention did not significantly alter extinction. For several participants, however, covert orienting of attention did alter patterns of extinction. The relationship of these findings to previous research and theories regarding the mechanisms of extinction and attention is discussed.