RESUMEN

Binaural processing disorder is an important deficit in children with (C)APD so binaural processing evaluations are crucial. There are subjective and objective tests for assessing binaural processing. Subjective tests require patient attention and active so objective evaluation of binaural processing is important. The aim of present study was investigating binaural interaction component (BIC) of middle latency response (MLR) in children suspected to (C)APD. Sixty 8-12 year-old children suspected to (C)APD and sixty normal children were selected based on inclusion criteria. Both groups were matched in terms of sex (40 boys and 20 girls) and age (9.05 ± 1.25 years old). MLR test (monaural right ear, monaural left ear and binaural) was performed in all the cases and BIC was calculated by subtracting binaural response from summed monaural responses. Independent t test showed that latency of Pa and Na (ms), Pa-Na amplitude (µv), BIC latency (ms) and amplitude (µv) were significantly different from normal subjects (p value ≤0.001). Present study showed that MLR and BIC of MLR are clinically available and objective tests that can be used to determining children suspected to (C)APD. These tests might have the potential to separating normal children from children with (C)APD objectively.

RESUMEN

Many children with central auditory processing disorder (C)APD suffer from spatial processing disorder and benefit from binaural processing training including auditory lateralization training. There are subjective tests for evaluating auditory training effects in children with (C)APD but they rely on patient's attention and cooperation so there is a need for appropriate objective tests. The aim of present study was investigating effects of auditory lateralization training on binaural interaction component (BIC) of middle latency response (MLR). This study was an analytical interventional study. Sixty children suspected to (C)APD (40 boys and 20 girls) were selected based on inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups: control and training group. Auditory lateralization training included 12 formal sessions under headphone by using interaural time difference and performed as a game. MLR (monaural right ear, monaural left ear and binaural) and monaural selective auditory attention test (mSAAT) tests were performed in all the cases. BIC was calculated by subtracting binaural response from summed monaural responses. Covariance test showed that BIC latency decreased and BIC amplitude increased significantly and mSAAT score increased significantly in training group after auditory lateralization training (p value ≤ 0.001). In present study BIC of MLR had potential to show underlying neurophysiologic changes after auditory lateralization training in children suspected to (C)APD objectively. It is in agreement with behavioral improvements after training (mSAAT improvements).

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Central auditory processing disorder [(C)APD] refers to a deficit in auditory stimuli processing in nervous system that is not due to higher-order language or cognitive factors. One of the problems in children with (C)APD is spatial difficulties which have been overlooked despite their significance. Localization is an auditory ability to detect sound sources in space and can help to differentiate between the desired speech from other simultaneous sound sources. Aim of this research was investigating effects of an auditory lateralization training on speech perception in presence of noise/competing signals in children suspected to (C)APD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this analytical interventional study, 60 children suspected to (C)APD were selected based on multiple auditory processing assessment subtests. They were randomly divided into two groups: control (mean age 9.07) and training groups (mean age 9.00). Training program consisted of detection and pointing to sound sources delivered with interaural time differences under headphones for 12 formal sessions (6 weeks). Spatial word recognition score (WRS) and monaural selective auditory attention test (mSAAT) were used to follow the auditory lateralization training effects. RESULTS: This study showed that in the training group, mSAAT score and spatial WRS in noise (p value≤0.001) improved significantly after the auditory lateralization training. CONCLUSIONS: We used auditory lateralization training for 6 weeks and showed that auditory lateralization can improve speech understanding in noise significantly. The generalization of this results needs further researches.

RESUMEN

Evaluation of communication abilities in the elderly is crucial for activities which will be performed to improve their quality of life. A valid and reliable questionnaire is needed for assessing communication abilities. We aimed to translate and validate the speech, spatial, and qualities of hearing scale (SSQ) in Iran. The forward-backward procedure was applied to translate the questionnaire from English into Persian. After linguistic validation and pilot study, a cross-sectional study was carried out, and psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the SSQ were tested. Number of 333 elderly individuals with impaired hearing completed the questionnaire. Number 48.3% were hearing aid users and 51.7% was not. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest analysis. Exploratory factor analysis was performed for extracting factor structure of the Persian version of SSQ. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to compare different models of factor loadings. The Mean age of participants was 62.00 years (SD=9.58 years), and the mean SSQ score was 5.1 (SD=1.2, ranged: 3.17-6.27). Reliability evaluation revealed high internal consistency and good test- retest reliability. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.96 and the Pierson Correlation at test-retest analysis was 0.73 for Quality of hearing factor, 0.88 for Spatial and o.73 for Speech understanding factor. The results of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) indicated a four-factor solution for P-SSQ that jointly accounted for 52.40% of the variance observed. Confirmatory factor analysis approved the three factor solution but proposed a possible fourth factor. The Iranian version of the SSQ has acceptable psychometric properties, and it will be helpful for assessing different kinds of communication abilities in the Iranian elderly population.

Asunto(s)

Pérdida Auditiva/psicología , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica/normas , Encuestas y Cuestionarios/normas , Traducciones , Anciano , Estudios Transversales , Análisis Factorial , Femenino , Audición , Humanos , Irán , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proyectos Piloto , Psicometría , Calidad de Vida , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Navegación Espacial , Habla , Conducta Verbal

RESUMEN

Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) appears to be an objective sensitive test of cochlear function. The aim of this study was to investigate whether DPOAE is an appropriate tool for assessment of minute changes in cochlea due to usage of antioxidant material. 48 workers exposed to continuous noise in a textile factory were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) The Control group (n = 16) received no antioxidant drugs, (2) The N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) group (n = 16) received oral antioxidant NAC (1200 mg/day), (3) The Ginseng group (n = 16) received oral antioxidant Ginseng (200 mg/day). All three groups had a follow-up period of 2 weeks. The cochlear changes were assessed using DPOAE test before starting the daily work shift on first and 15th day. The associations between groups and DPOAE amplitudes after 2 weeks were analyzed using linear regression analysis. Four separate models were fitted by side of ears and frequency. All models were adjusted for baseline amplitude. Reduced (better) amplitude at DPOAE test was found for NAC and Ginseng groups at high frequencies (4 and 6 kHz) in both ears after 2 weeks compared to control group. Moreover, NAC group showed better DPOAE amplitude than Ginseng group. In conclusion, DPOAE seems to be an appropriate tool in assessing minute changes in the cochlea after antioxidant drugs administration.