Comparison of tangibly reinforced speech-reception and pure-tone thresholds of mentally retarded children.

Sixteen mentally retarded children who had normal hearing were examined with two tests of auditory sensitivity. One procedure employed a tangibly reinforced operant-conditioning paradigm for pure tones, and the other test was based on a modification of operant conditioning for obtaining speech-reception thresholds. The speech procedure, utilizing an attractive mechanical device in the form of a clown, proved to be effective and efficient for use with retarded children.