Multidisciplinary Cognitive Function Assessment of Good versus Poor Performance in Children with Cochlear Implants: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Introduction Despite the developing technology of cochlear implants (CIs), implanted prelingual hearing-impaired children exhibit variable speech processing outcomes. When these children match in personal and implant-related criteria, the CI outcome variability could be related to higher-order cognitive impairment. Objectives To evaluate different domains of cognitive function in good versus poor CI performers using a multidisciplinary approach and to find the relationship between these functions and different levels of speech processing. Methods This observational, cross-sectional study used the word recognition score (WRS) test to categorize 40 children with CIs into 20 good (WRS/65%) and 20 poor performers (WRS < 65%). All participants were examined for speech processing at different levels (auditory processing and spoken language) and cognitive functioning using (1) verbal tests (verbal component of Stanford-Binet intelligence [SBIS], auditory memory, auditory vigilance, and P300); and (2) performance tasks (performance components of SBIS, and trail making test). Results The outcomes of speech processing at different functional levels and both domains of cognitive function were analyzed and correlated. Speech processing was impaired significantly in poor CI performers. This group also showed a significant cognitive function deficit, in which the verbal abilities were more affected (in 93.5%) than in the good performers (in 69.5%). Moreover, cognitive function revealed a significant correlation and predictive effect on the CI speech outcomes. Conclusion Cognitive function impairment represented an important factor that underlies the variable speech proficiency in cochlear-implanted children. A multidisciplinary evaluation of cognitive function would provide a comprehensive overview to improve training strategies.

The functional mechanisms of the central auditory nervous system in human speech development / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

The development of speech is a process by which the neural network structure of brain perceives, decodes, represents, and outputs input signals. At the cortical level, the classic model of speech processing proposed two pathways leading from the auditory system: the ventral stream and the dorsal stream.The ventral stream, which involved structures in the superior and middle portions of the temporal lobe, was involved in processing speech signals for perception and comprehension (speech recognition). The dorsal stream, which involved structures in the posterior frontal lobe and the posterior dorsal-most aspect of the temporal lobe and parietal operculum, had an auditory-motor integration function and was essential for speech production. However, the importance of auditory processing in central auditory nervous system(CANS) from the vestibulocochlear nerve to the auditory cortex for speech development had not been clarified.This review aims to discuss the roles and related mechanisms of the CANS in speech recognition and generation from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience, so as to provide new ideas for clinical monitoring and long-term prediction of auditory processing and speech development, and for diagnosis and treatment of clinical speech-related diseases.

A Case of Pediatric Auditory Processing Disorder Caused by Psychological Stress Successfully Treated with Shokenchuto / 日本東洋医学雑誌

In auditory processing disorder (APD), hearing difficulties occur in noisy or otherwise difficult environments, despite no hearing loss. Most APD patients have developmental disabilities, weak cognitive function, or psychological problems. Here, we report a case of a child who was thought to have developed APD due to mental stress and had a good course using shokenchuto. The case was a 12-year-old girl. She began to be bullied 2 years ago, and from that time she began to find it was difficult to hear the words in a noisy environment. She visited our department and was diagnosed with APD without any abnormalities in various hearing tests. We administered her shokenchuto. After 12 weeks, she felt almost no inconvenience in hearing. She also regained her usual energy and became to be able to shrug off bullying without worrying too much. Afterwards, her symptoms subsided. After 20 weeks, the medication was discontinued.

Habilidades auditivas em adultos jovens com e sem percepção de zumbido: um estudo de comparações / Auditory skills in young adults with and without tinnitus perception: a comparative study

RESUMO Objetivo analisar as respostas do processamento das informações auditivas em sujeitos adultos jovens com transtorno do zumbido. Métodos estudo de caráter descritivo e quantitativo. Participaram do estudo 36 sujeitos, com idades entre 19 e 35 anos, divididos em dois grupos: Grupo 1 (20 sujeitos com zumbido crônico) e Grupo 2 (16 sujeitos sem zumbido). Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos à anamnese, inspeção visual do meato acústico externo, audiometria tonal liminar, logoaudiometria, medidas de imitância acústica e, como instrumentos de avaliação, os testes comportamentais do processamento auditivo central - Teste Dicótico de Dígitos, Teste Padrão de Frequência, Teste de Fala no Ruído, Masking Level Difference e Gap in Noise. Resultados existiram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos para as respostas do Teste Dicótico de Dígitos na orelha esquerda e para o Gap in Noise em ambas as orelhas. Conclusão adultos jovens com zumbido crônico apresentam prejuízo nas habilidades de integração binaural e resolução temporal.

ABSTRACT Purpose Objective: To analyze auditory information processing responses in young adult subjects with tinnitus disorder. Methods A descriptive and quantitative study was conducted, involving 36 subjects aged between 19 and 35 years. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group 1 (20 subjects with chronic tinnitus) and Group 2 (16 subjects without tinnitus). All participants underwent medical history assessment, Visual Inspection of the External Auditory Canal, Pure-Tone Audiometry, Speech Audiometry, Acoustic Immittance Measures, and used Behavioral Central Auditory Processing Tests as an evaluation tool - Dichotic Digits Test (TDD), Frequency Pattern Test, Speech in Noise, Masking Level Difference, and Gap in Noise (GIN). Results Statistically significant differences were found between the groups for TDD responses in the left ear and for GIN in both ears. Conclusion Young adults with chronic tinnitus exhibit impairments in binaural integration and temporal resolution skills.

Stroke in children and adolescents: Analysis of electrophysiological and behavioral assessment findings of auditory processing

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the auditory processing behavior of children and adolescents diagnosed with stroke and compare it with that of typically developing individuals. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study involving 48 participants aged between 7 and 17 years with adequate schooling for age and grade, allocated equally to two groups: Stroke (SG) and Control Groups (CG). For the SG, cases identified between 2003 and 2018 were considered. In the CG, school-aged participants with typical development were randomized. After screening for differential audiological assessment and confirmation of auditory pathway integrity at the brainstem level, binaural analyses of the auditory processing behavior were conducted using the Dichotic Digit Test (DDT), Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), and electrophysiological assessment (P300). The Shapiro-Wilk test for normality was conducted, followed by the T and Mann-Whitney tests, with a 95 % confidence level and significance offset at p < 0.05, using the SPSS software (IBM®, v. 22.) Results: The CG performed better in terms of auditory processing. These differences were significant (p < 0.0001) for the binaural integration of DDT, FPT humming and Labeling, and P300 latency. The P300 results were similar; however, with a greater amplitude in the SG. Conclusion: This study showed that children and adolescents with stroke performed worse in electrophysiological and behavioral tests of auditory processing assessed using the auditory evoked potentials. These data reinforce the hypothesis that stroke-related lesions compromise the neural mechanisms underlying auditory processing.

Desenvolvimento e validação de conteúdo de um Programa de Intervenção em Processamento Auditivo para crianças em idade escolar / Auditory Processing Intervention Program for school-aged children - development and content validation

RESUMO Objetivo O estudo teve como objetivos o desenvolvimento e validação de conteúdo de um Programa de Intervenção em Processamento Auditivo, destinado a crianças em idade escolar, com perturbação do processamento auditivo, falantes do português europeu. Método A primeira etapa consistiu no desenvolvimento do programa e respetivo manual de instruções, que inclui objetivos, atividades, procedimentos, materiais, reforços, instruções e estímulos verbais utilizados, para as competências auditivas de discriminação auditiva, atenção auditiva, memória auditiva, fechamento, figura-fundo; separação binaural, integração binaural e fusão binaural; a segunda etapa consistiu na validação de conteúdo, por dois painéis de peritos que analisaram o programa, através de um questionário. A validade de conteúdo foi calculada usando o índice de validade de conteúdo. Resultados A avaliação do programa revela uma excelente validade de conteúdo. Alguns itens foram modificados depois da análise dos comentários e sugestões dos peritos (ex: instruções, desníveis de intensidade, personagem principal). Conclusão O estudo permitiu o desenvolvimento e validação de um programa de intervenção em processamento auditivo, com estímulos verbais, selecionados de acordo com critérios linguísticos rigorosos. Futuramente, está prevista a realização de estudos de aceitabilidade e eficácia do programa junto da população alvo.

ABSTRACT Purpose The study aimed at the development and content validation of an Auditory Processing Intervention Program for school-aged European Portuguese speaking children with Auditory Processing Disorder. Methods The first step was the program's development and its instructions manual, which includes objectives, activities, procedures, materials, reinforcement, instructions, and verbal stimuli used, for the following auditory skills: auditory discrimination, auditory attention; auditory memory; auditory closure; figure-ground; auditory separation; auditory integration; binaural fusion; content validation was performed next, with two expert panels analyzing the program, through the use of a questionnaire. Content validity was calculated using the content validity index. Results Program evaluation shows an excellent content validity. Some items were modified after analyzing the experts' comments and suggestions (e.g. instructions, intensity differences, main character). Conclusion This work allowed the development and content validation of an auditory processing intervention program, with verbal stimuli, selected according to strict linguistic criteria. In the future, the acceptability and efficacy of this program with the target population should be analyzed.

Avaliação comportamental do processamento auditivo na idade adulta: população de interesse e testes - uma revisão sistemática / Behavioral assessment of auditory processing in adulthood: population of interest and tests - a systematic review

RESUMO Objetivo Identificar os testes comportamentais utilizados para a avaliação do processamento auditivo ao longo da vida adulta, com enfoque nas características da população alvo enquanto grupo de interesse. Estratégia de pesquisa As bases de dados consultadas foram o PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science e Scielo, a partir dos descritores: "auditory perception" or "auditory perception disorders" or "auditory processing" or "central auditory processing" or "auditory processing disorders" or "central auditory processing disorders" com adults OR aging. Critérios de seleção Incluiu-se estudos com humanos, que abordaram a população adulta de 18 a 64 anos, que realizaram pelo menos um teste comportamental para avaliação do processamento auditivo, na ausência de perda auditiva. Análise dos dados Realizou-se a extração de dados de forma independente, a partir de um protocolo desenvolvido pelos autores incluindo diferentes tópicos, principalmente os testes auditivos comportamentais realizados e os resultados encontrados. Resultados Dos 867 registros identificados, 24 foram selecionados como contendo as informações necessárias para responder às perguntas de pesquisa. Conclusão Quase a totalidade dos estudos foi conduzida com objetivo de verificar o desempenho em um ou dois testes de processamento auditivo; a população alvo foi heterogênea, as mais frequentes foram diabetes, gagueira, transtorno do processamento auditivo e exposição ao ruído. Há poucas informações sobre os padrões de referência para os testes na respectiva faixa etária.

ABSTRACT Purpose To identify the behavioral tests used to assess auditory processing throughout adulthood, focusing on the characteristics of the target population as an interest group. Research strategies PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scielo, databases were searched with descriptors: "auditory perception" or "auditory perception disorders" or "auditory processing" or "central auditory processing" or "auditory processing disorders" or "central auditory processing disorders" with adults OR aging. Selection criteria Studies with humans included, the adult population from 18 to 64 years old, who performed at least one behavioral test to assess auditory processing in the absence of hearing loss. Data analysis Data extraction was performed independently, using a protocol developed by the authors that included different topics, mainly the behavioral auditory tests performed and the results found. Results Of the 867 records identified, 24 contained the information needed to answer the survey questions. Conclusion Almost all studies were conducted verify performance in one or two auditory processing tests. The target target population was heterogeneous, with the most frequent persons with diabetes, stuttering, auditory processing disorder, and noise exposure. There is little information regarding benchmarks for testing in the respective age groups.

Application of Preschool Auditory Processing Assessment Scale in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the characteristics of auditory processing (AP) in preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using Preschool Auditory Processing Assessment Scale (hereafter referred to as "auditory processing scale").@*METHODS@#A total of 41 children with ADHD and 41 typically developing (TD) children were assessed using the auditory processing scale, SNAP-IV rating scale, and Conners' Kiddie Continuous Performance Test (K-CPT). The auditory processing scale score was compared between the TD and ADHD groups. The correlations of the score with SNAP-IV and K-CPT scores were assessed.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the TD group, the ADHD group had significantly higher total score of the auditory processing scale and scores of all dimensions except visual attention (P<0.05). In the children with ADHD, the attention deficit dimension score of the SNAP-IV rating scale was positively correlated with the total score of the auditory processing scale (rs30=0.531, P<0.05; rs27=0.627, P<0.05) as well as the scores of its subdimensions, including auditory decoding (rs=0.628, P<0.05), auditory attention (rs=0.492, P<0.05), and communication (rs=0.399, P<0.05). The hyperactivity-impulsivity dimension score of the SNAP-IV rating scale was positively correlated with the hyperactivity-impulsivity dimension score of the auditory processing scale (rs=0.429, P<0.05). In the children with ADHD, the attention deficit dimension score of the K-CPT was positively correlated with the total score (rs30=0.574, P<0.05; rs27=0.485, P<0.05) and the hyperactivity-impulsivity dimension score (rs=0.602, P<0.05) of the auditory processing scale.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Preschool children with ADHD have the risk of AP abnormalities, and the auditory processing scale should be used early for the screening and evaluation of AP abnormalities in children.

Valores normativos de pruebas conductuales de procesamiento auditivo para niños chilenos entre 7 y 12 años: una propuesta inicial / Normative values of auditory processing behavioral tests for chilean children between 7 and 12 years old: an initial proposal

Resumen Introducción: El trastorno del procesamiento auditivo en niños está relacionado con trastornos de lenguaje, bajo rendimiento académico, trastornos de aprendizaje y dificultades psicosociales. Existe consenso internacional sobre la utilidad de las pruebas conductuales para su evaluación y diagnóstico. Objetivo: Establecer valores normativos para pruebas conductuales de procesamiento auditivo en población pediátrica chilena con neurodesarrollo y audición normal. Material y Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional de corte transversal. Participaron 153 sujetos entre 7 y 12 años de la Región Metropolitana. Se estudiaron las pruebas de patrones de frecuencia, habla filtrada y dígitos dicóticos. Se construyeron modelos de regresión fraccional para estimar los valores normativos y además se calcularon los puntajes de corte en los percentiles 2.5, 5 y 10. Resultados: No se evidenciaron diferencias significativas entre oídos para las pruebas estudiadas a excepción de la prueba de dígitos dicóticos. Se construyeron modelos únicos para las pruebas patrones de frecuencia y habla filtrada, y modelos independientes para cada oído para la prueba dígitos dicóticos. Todas las estimaciones resultaron significativas y tuvieron niveles aceptables de precisión. Conclusión: Se obtuvieron los valores normativos y puntajes de corte para las tres pruebas estudiadas. Los valores obtenidos fueron similares a los reportados en otras poblaciones considerando los efectos de oído, de edad, sexo y escolaridad.

Abstract Introduction: Auditory processing disorder in children is related to language disorders, poor academic performance, learning disorders, and psychosocial difficulties. There is international consensus on the usefulness of behavioral tests for their evaluation and diagnosis. Aim: To establish normative values for auditory processing behavioral tests in Chilean pediatric population with normal neurodevelopment and hearing thresholds. Material and Method: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out. One hundred fifty-three subjects between 7 and 12 years old from the Metropolitan Region participated. Frequency pattern tests, filtered speech, and dichotic digits were studied. Fractional regression models were built to estimate the normative values, and cut-off scores were also calculated at the 2.5, 5, and 10 percentiles. Results: There were no significant differences between ears for the tests studied except for the dichotic digits test. Single models were built for the frequency and filtered speech patterns tests and independent models for each ear for the dichotic digit test. All estimates were significant and had acceptable levels of precision. Conclusion: The normative values and cut-off scores were obtained for the three tests studied. The values obtained were similar to those reported in other populations considering the effects of ear, age, sex, and education.

Potencial de disparidad o Mismatch negativity y P3a en pacientes con esquizofrenia / Mismatch negativity and P3a in patients with Schizophrenia

Resumen Antecedentes: la esquizofrenia es una enfermedad crónica que genera gran discapacidad, para la cual se han reportado biomarcadores potenciales, pero sin suficiente validez clínica. El mismatch negativity (MMN) y el P3a son potenciales relacionados con eventos que han demostrado ser indicadores neurofisiológicos del procesamiento auditivo pre-atencional y potenciales biomarcadores. Objetivo: evaluar el MMN y P3a en pacientes con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia y su relación con variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Método: estudio cuantitativo transversal de 23 sujetos con esquizofrenia (ESQ) y 22 controles sanos (SN). Las amplitudes promedio y latencias del MMN/P3a para la condición infrecuente en duración y frecuencia fueron obtenidas mediante un paradigma oddball auditivo en un EEG de 32 canales. Resultados: se encontraron diferencias para la condición frecuencia en la amplitud del MMN (p=0.046; CI 95% 0.009; 0.87) y la amplitud del P3a (p=0.042; CI 95% 0.025; 1.24) entre los grupos; la amplitud del MMN fue menor en el grupo ESQ (-0.36 DE 0.51 µV) en comparación con los participantes del grupo de SN (-0.81 DE 0.89 µV), mientras que la amplitud del P3a fue menor en el grupo SN (0.18 DE 0.97 µV) versus el grupo ESQ (0.82 DE 1.05 µV). En relación con las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas, las asociaciones con el P3a fueron moderadas y con el MMN débiles. Conclusiones: la reducción de la amplitud del MMN a la condición frecuencia exhibe mayor utilidad que el P3a como medida de alta estabilidad en pacientes con esquizofrenia, lo que reitera su posible uso como biomarcador.

Abstract Background: schizophrenia is a chronic disease that generates great disability, which currently has potential biomarkers but without sufficient clinical validity. Mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a are event-related potentials that have been shown to be neurophysiological indicators of pre-attentional auditory processing and potential biomarkers. Objective: to evaluate MMN and P3a in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and their relationship with sociodemographic and clinical variables. Method: a quantitative cross-sectional study of 23 subjects with schizophrenia and 22 healthy controls was performed. The average amplitudes and latencies of the MMN/P3a for the condition infrequent in duration and infrequent in frequency were obtained using an auditory oddball paradigm on a 32-channel EEG. Results: differences were found for the frequency condition in the amplitude of the MMN (p=0.046; 95% CI 0.009; 0.87) and the amplitude of the P3a (p=0.042; 95% CI 0.025; 1.24) between the groups; MMN amplitude was lower in schizophrenia (-0.36 SD 0.51 µV) compared to healthy controls (-0.81 SD 0.89 µV), while P3a amplitude was lower in healthy controls (0.18 SD 0.97 µV) versus the group with schizophrenia (0.82 SD 1.05 µV). In regard to sociodemographic and clinical variables, the associations with P3a were moderate, and showed weak MMN. Conclusions: MMN amplitude reduction to the frequency condition exhibits greater utility than P3a as a measure of high stability in schizophrenia, restating its potential use as a biomarker.

Efeito da estimulação das habilidades auditivas de fonoaudiólogos para avaliação perceptiva do desvio vocal / Effect of stimulation of auditory skills of speech-language pathologists to perceptual evaluation of vocal deviation

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar se a estimulação das habilidades auditivas de fonoaudiólogos com e sem dificuldades no processamento auditivo central (PAC) interfere no desempenho da avaliação perceptivo-auditiva (APA) do desvio vocal predominante. Métodos Estudo prospectivo, quase-experimental, realizado com 26 fonoaudiólogos, desenvolvido em cinco etapas: Etapa1: Pré-intervenção - primeira APA, composta por 30 amostras da vogal sustentada /ε/, acrescidas de 20% de repetição (seis amostras repetidas), apresentadas randomicamente, na qual os participantes deveriam identificar o desvio vocal predominante; Etapa 2: Triagem das habilidades do PAC com nove testes da plataforma AudBility; Etapa 3: Treinamento perceptivo-auditivo do desvio vocal predominante e segunda APA, idêntica à anterior; Etapa 4: Intervenção - estimulação das habilidades auditivas (EHA), realizada por 14 fonoaudiólogos, sendo oito que não passaram na triagem da Etapa 2 (Grupo1) e seis que passaram na triagem e, espontaneamente, realizaram a EHA (Grupo G2a). Os outros 12 participantes não realizaram EHA e formaram o Grupo G2b; Etapa 5: Pós-intervenção - realização da terceira APA, idêntica às anteriores, por todos os fonoaudiólogos. A acurácia das respostas e confiabilidade intra-avaliadores foram verificadas ao longo das três APAs. Resultados Os três grupos apresentaram desempenhos semelhantes nas três APAs. G1 e G2a não apresentaram melhora no desempenho da análise do desvio vocal predominante pós-EHA. A confiabilidade intra-avaliador pré-intervenção no G1 foi inferior a do G2a e G2b nas APA1 e APA2, e similar a eles na APA3, pós-intervenção. Conclusão EHA proposto não impactou a acurácia da APA, mas influenciou a confiabilidade intra-avaliador dos fonoaudiólogos com dificuldades nas habilidades auditivas do PAC.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify if the stimulation of auditory skills of speech therapists with and without difficulty in auditory processing (CAP) interferes in performance of auditory-perceptual assessment (APA) regarding predominant vocal deviation. Methods Prospective, quasi-experimental study, conducted with 26 speech therapists and developed in five stages: Stage1: Pre-intervention - APA, composed of 30 samples of sustained vowel emissions /ε/, plus 20% repetition (six repeated samples) in which participants should identify the predominant vocal deviation. Stage2: Screening of CAP skills through nine tests of AudBility web platform. Stage3: Perceptual-auditory training of predominant vocal deviation and, later, second APA, identical to previous one. Stage4: Intervention - Stimulation of auditory skills (EHA) performed by 14 participants, eight of which failed the screening from Stage2 and six who passed th e screening and spontaneously performed EHA (Group G2a ). The other 12 participants did not perform EHA and formed the G2b Group. Stage5: Post-intervention - Third execution of APA, identical to previous, by all participants. Accuracy of analysis and intra-rater reliability were assessed in all APAs. Results The three groups showed similar performances in the three APAs. G1 and G2a showed no improvement in the performance of the analysis of predominant vocal deviation after EHA. Pre-intervention intra-rater reliability in G1 was lower than in G2a and G2b in APA1 and APA2, and similar to them in APA3, post-intervention. Conclusion Proposed EHA had no impact on APA accuracy, but influenced in intra-rater reliability of speech therapists with difficulty in the hearing skills of CAP.

Evaluación electrofisiológica del procesamiento auditivo

Resumen En la actualidad existen distintas herramientas para la evaluación del procesamiento auditivo y sus alteraciones. Además de las pruebas conductuales y de las mediciones electroacústicas, se ha establecido que la batería mínima de evaluación del procesamiento auditivo debe incluir exámenes electrofisiológicos que permitan dar cuenta del estado funcional de las estructuras anatómicas a nivel de tronco cerebral, la corteza auditiva y del sistema nervioso auditivo central en general. Las pruebas electrofisiológicas más descritas en la literatura corresponden a las respuestas auditivas complejas de tronco cerebral, potenciales evocados auditivos de latencia media, potenciales evocados auditivos de latencia tardía, y los potenciales auditivos asociados a eventos como el potencial de disparidad y el P300. A pesar de que diversos organismos internacionales como la American Speech-Language-Hearing Association y la American Academy of Audiology han recomendado su utilización en el proceso diagnóstico del trastorno del procesamiento auditivo y han mencionado su utilidad en la diferenciación de cuadros asociados, no existe evidencia concluyente en relación con sus aplicaciones clínicas. Esto último ha llevado a organizaciones como la British Society of Audiology a poner en duda su verdadera utilidad en estos casos.

Abstract Currently, there are different tools for the assessment of auditory processing and its disorders. In addition to behavioral tests and electroacoustic measurements, it has been established that the minimum battery for auditory processing assessment must include electrophysiological examinations that allow to verify the functional state of anatomical structures at the brainstem, the auditory cortex and, broadly, the central auditory nervous system. In literature, the most described electrophysiological tests correspond to complex auditory brainstem responses, auditory middle latency evoked responses, auditory late latency evoked responses and event related evoked potentials, such as mismatch negativity and P300. Although several international organizations such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Academy of Audiology have recommended its use in the diagnostic process of auditory processing disorder and have mentioned its usefulness in the differentiation of associated conditions, there is no conclusive evidence in relation to its clinical applications. The latter has led organizations such as the British Society of Audiology to question its true usefulness in these cases.

Hipoacusia unilateral: bases neurobiológicas de la ambliaudia / Unilateral hearing loss: neurobiological basis of amblyaudia

Resumen La hipoacusia unilateral es una alteración prevalente e importante en la población infantil que puede llevar a un deterioro del procesamiento auditivo. Cualquier patología que cause hipoacusia asimétrica (conductiva o sensorioneural) durante ventanas críticas del desarrollo cerebral, puede dar lugar a déficits del procesamiento auditivo que podrían persistir incluso después de la rehabilitación audiológica. Este proceso fisiopatológico se ha denominado "ambliaudia" y los niños que la presentan tienen un mayor riesgo de sufrir retraso en el desarrollo del lenguaje, así como de padecer dificultades académicas, sociales y cognitivas. Por esto, la ambliaudia se presenta como un desafío en audiología, siendo necesario comprender los mecanismos neurobiológicos que la subyacen. Entender de mejor manera cuáles son las consecuencias que tiene la pérdida auditiva asimétrica sobre el desarrollo del sistema nervioso podría ser clave para guiar de mejor forma las intervenciones terapéuticas. En este artículo se revisan trabajos en humanos y en modelos animales que describen las consecuencias neurobiológicas de la deprivación auditiva unilateral durante el desarrollo del sistema nervioso y su posible aplicación a la práctica clínica.

Abstract Unilateral hearing loss is a prevalent and important disorder in children that can lead to an impairment of auditory processing. Any pathology that causes asymmetric (conductive or sensorineural) hearing loss during critical brain development windows can lead to hearing deficits that may persist even after audiological rehabilitation. This pathophysiological process has been referred to as amblyaudia, and children are at greater risk of experiencing language developmental delays as well as academic, social and cognitive impairments. For this reason, amblyaudia presents itself as a challenge in audiology, and it has become necessary to understand its neurobiological mechanisms. A better understanding of the consequences of asymmetric hearing loss on the development of the nervous system may be key to better guiding therapeutic interventions. This article reviews studies performed in humans and animal models that describe the neurobiological consequences of unilateral hearing deprivation during the development of the nervous system and its possible applications to clinical practice.

Auditory training methods in children with psychiatric diagnosis: an integrative literature review / Métodos de treinamento auditivo em crianças com diagnóstico psiquiátrico: revisão integrativa da literatura

ABSTRACT Purpose: to identify auditory training approaches used in the pediatric population with psychiatric diagnoses and to characterize the contexts in which the intervention took place, as well as protocols and discernment of the results. Methods: a search was carried out in four databases, using the fixed terms "auditory training" OR "auditory rehabilitation". Regarding the sampling, there was a considerable range of diagnoses, signs and symptoms, including the most common ones. Articles published until August 2018 whose population did not present hearing loss were selected; articles whose subjects had made use of any personal sound amplification products, presented otitis or had any isolated diagnosis of auditory processing disorder, were excluded. Results: 16 articles out of the 103 references found, met the inclusion criteria. The samplings studied were children and adolescents with learning, language or reading disorders, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. The bottom-up intervention and the combined approach (bottom-up and top-down), in the formal context, were the most frequent approaches, whose results led to the improvement in linguistic, metalinguistic and auditory skills. The amount and frequency of sessions, as well as their duration varied. Conclusion: the heterogeneity of auditory training techniques diversified the results. However, it seems there is a potential for recommending auditory training in the reviewed population.

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar as abordagens de treinamento auditivo utilizadas na população infantil com diagnósticos psiquiátricos, caracterizar os contextos de intervenção, protocolos e discernimento dos desfechos. Métodos: busca realizada em quatro bases de dados, utilizando as expressões fixas "auditory training" OR "auditory rehabilitation" e, quanto à amostragem, variaram-se aos mais comuns diagnósticos, sinais e sintomas. Foram selecionados artigos publicados até agosto de 2018, com população sem perda auditiva e excluídos artigos com amostra com uso de dispositivos de amplificação sonora, otites ou diagnóstico isolado de Transtorno do Processamento Auditivo. Resultados: foram identificadas 103 referências, dentre as quais 16 preencheram os critérios de inclusão. As amostragens estudadas foram de crianças e adolescentes com distúrbios de aprendizagem, linguagem e leitura, dislexia, transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade, transtorno do espectro autista e esquizofrenia. As intervenções com a abordagem bottom-up e combinada (bottom-up e top-down), no contexto formal, foram as mais frequentes, cujos resultados direcionaram a melhora em habilidades auditivas, linguísticas e metalinguísticas. O número e frequência de sessões, assim como, a duração (tempo) foram diversificadas. Conclusão: a heterogeneidade das técnicas de treinamento auditivo diversificou os resultados, entretanto, parece existir um potencial para recomendação do treinamento auditivo na população abordada.

Evaluation of selective attention in patients with misophonia / Avaliação da atenção seletiva em pacientes com misofonia

Abstract Introduction: Misophonia is characterized by the aversion to very selective sounds, which evoke a strong emotional reaction. It has been inferred that misophonia, as well as tinnitus, is associated with hyperconnectivity between auditory and limbic systems. Individuals with bothersome tinnitus may have selective attention impairment, but it has not been demonstrated in case of misophonia yet. Objective: To characterize a sample of misophonic subjects and compare it with two control groups, one with tinnitus individuals (without misophonia) and the other with asymptomatic individuals (without misophonia and without tinnitus), regarding the selective attention. Methods: We evaluated 40 normal-hearing participants: 10 with misophonia, 10 with tinnitus (without misophonia) and 20 without tinnitus and without misophonia. In order to evaluate the selective attention, the dichotic sentence identification test was applied in three situations: firstly, the Brazilian Portuguese test was applied. Then, the same test was applied, combined with two competitive sounds: chewing sound (representing a sound that commonly triggers misophonia), and white noise (representing a common type of tinnitus which causes discomfort to patients). Results: The dichotic sentence identification test with chewing sound, showed that the average of correct responses differed between misophonia and without tinnitus and without misophonia (p = 0.027) and between misophonia and tinnitus (without misophonia) (p = 0.002), in both cases lower in misophonia. Both, the dichotic sentence identification test alone, and with white noise, failed to show differences in the average of correct responses among the three groups (p ≥ 0.452). Conclusion: The misophonia participants presented a lower percentage of correct responses in the dichotic sentence identification test with chewing sound; suggesting that individuals with misophonia may have selective attention impairment when they are exposed to sounds that trigger this condition.

Resumo Introdução: A misofonia é caracterizada pela aversão a certos sons muito seletivos, que evocam uma forte reação emocional. Tem sido demonstrado que a misofonia, bem como o zumbido, está associada à hiperconectividade entre os sistemas auditivo e límbico. Indivíduos com zumbido incômodo podem ter comprometimento da atenção seletiva, mas isso ainda não foi demonstrado em caso de misofonia. Objetivo: Caracterizar uma amostra de indivíduos misofônicos e compará-la com dois grupos controle, um com indivíduos com zumbido (sem misofonia) e o outro com indivíduos assintomáticos (sem misofonia e sem zumbido) em relação à atenção seletiva. Método: Avaliamos 40 participantes com audição normal: 10 com misofonia, 10 com zumbido (sem misofonia) e 20 sem zumbido e sem misofonia. Para avaliar a atenção seletiva, o teste de identificação de sentenças dicóticas foi usado em três situações: no primeiro, aplicou-se o teste em português do Brasil. Então, o mesmo teste foi aplicado em duas outras situações, combinado com dois sons competitivos: som de mastigação (representa um som que geralmente desencadeia misofonia) e ruído branco (representa um tipo comum de zumbido que causa desconforto nos pacientes). Resultados: No teste de identificação de sentenças dicóticas com som de mastigação, observou-se que a média de respostas corretas diferiu entre os grupos misofonia e sem zumbido e sem misofonia (p = 0,027) e entre misofonia e zumbido (sem misofonia) (p = 0,002) e, em ambos os casos, foi menor em misofonia. Em relação ao teste feito isoladamente e com ruído branco, nenhuma diferença foi observada na média das respostas corretas nos três grupos (p ≥ 0,452). Conclusão: Os participantes do grupo misofonia apresentaram uma menor porcentagem de respostas corretas no teste de identificação de sentenças dicóticas com som de mastigação, sugeriu que indivíduos com misofonia podem ter comprometimento da atenção seletiva quando expostos a sons que desencadeiam a condição.

Factors Influencing Speech Perception in Noise, and Auditory and Cognitive Training in the Elderly (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

The elderly are more likely to have difficulty in communicating in noise, regardless of hearing loss. The decline of speech perception ability in noise is the main manifestation of the decline of central auditory processing ability. Hearing and cognition are significantly correlated with central auditory processing. The mechanisms of interaction among them are common cause, reduction-compensation hypothesis, information degradation hypothesis, sensory deprivation hypothesis and cognitive load hypothesis. In short, central auditory processing is clearly related with cognition, which decreases with age. The sensory input of degradation (hearing loss or communication in noise) brings more loads to the cognitive system, occupies more cognitive resources and affects the immediate processing of cognition. Over time, chronic sensory deprivation causes an overall decline in cognitive ability. Cognitive decline in turn affects the compensatory effect on perception from top to down, thereby affecting central auditory processing ability. After confirming the mutual relations between them, the effects of auditory and cognitive training on speech resolution in noise were explored. A number of studies have confirmed that the hearing training programs can improve central auditory processing and cognitive function in patients with hearing loss, and cognitive training can be trained part of the cognitive domain (memory) to improve cognition and auditory perception.

Treinamento musical e habilidades do processamento auditivo em crianças: revisão sistemática / Music training and auditory processing skills in children: a systematic review

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a contribuição do treinamento musical nas habilidades do processamento auditivo em crianças. Estratégia de pesquisa Realizou-se uma busca no mês de agosto de 2018, usando os descritores Music, Child, Childhood, Children, Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Auditory Perception, Auditory Processing, utilizando o operador AND. Critérios de seleção Como questão norteadora, adotou-se a seguinte pergunta: "o que existe na literatura científica sobre a contribuição do treinamento musical nas habilidades de processamento auditivo em crianças?" Após, foram selecionados somente ensaios clínicos controlados na população infantil, estudos publicados em inglês, português e espanhol. Resultados A estratégia de busca resultou na seleção de dez artigos. Os estudos evidenciaram diversas habilidades testadas e diferentes formas de avaliação. Conclusão Com base nos achados, pode-se concluir que o treinamento musical melhora e aprimora as habilidades de processamento auditivo, de forma que quanto maior o tempo de treinamento, mais essas habilidades são reforçadas. Dessa forma, o treinamento musical mostra-se um método eficaz e com potencialidade para ser utilizado em crianças, tanto no período de desenvolvimento da comunicação oral e escrita, para auxiliar a aquisição das habilidades auditivas, como após a aquisição afim de aprimorá-las.

ABSTRACT Purpose To check the contribution of music training to auditory processing skills in children. Research strategy A search was performed in October 2018, using the descriptors Music, Child, Childhood, Children, Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Auditory Perception, Auditory Processing, using the AND operator. Selection criteria The main research question was: "What has been reported in the scientific literature about the contribution of musical training to auditory processing skills in children?" We selected only controlled clinical trials with the child population, studies published in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Results The search strategy resulted in the selection of ten articles. The studies showed several skills tested and different forms of evaluation. Conclusion Based on the findings, it can be concluded that music training improves auditory processing skills, so the longer the training time, the more these skills are reinforced. Thus, music training is an effective method that can be potentially used in children, both in the development of oral and written communication - to aid in the acquisition of auditory skills - and after acquisition, in order to improve such skills.

Central Auditory Processing Tests as Diagnostic Tools for the Early Identification of Elderly Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a disorder that usually occurs in the elderly, leading to dementia in some progressive cases. The purpose of this study is to examine the utility of central auditory processing tests as early diagnostic tools for identifying the elderly with MCI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 20 elderly patients with MCI and 20 healthy matched peers. The speech perception ability in a quiet environment and in the presence of background noise and also temporal resolution were assessed by using Speech Perception in Noise (SPIN) and Gap in Noise (GIN) tests, respectively. RESULTS: The results indicated that the ability to understand speech in a quiet environment did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, SPIN at the three signal-tonoise ratios and the temporal resolution scores were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with MCI appear to have poorer speech comprehension in noise and a lower temporal resolution than those of the same age, but without cognitive defects. Considering the utility of these tests in identifying cognitive problems, we propose that since the GIN test seems to be less influenced by intervening factors, this test can therefore, be a useful tool for the early screening of elderly people with cognitive problems.

Evaluación de procesamiento auditivo y percepción sonora en sujetos con presbiacusia / Ear predominance in presbycusis patients and auditory processing

RESUMEN Introducción: Pacientes portadores de hipoacusia simétrica en la audiometría pueden percibir su déficit como asimétrico. La explicación de este fenómeno podría tener su origen en variaciones en la conducción del estimulo hablado hacia la corteza auditiva, o procesamiento auditivo. Objetivo: Evaluar el procesamiento auditivo en pacientes que refieren escuchar mejor por un oído en presencia de umbrales audiométricos simétricos. Material y método: Pacientes mayores de 65 años. Criterios de exclusión: patología otológica, deterioro cognitivo (Mini Mental test <21 puntos), usuario de audífono, hipoacusia asimétrica. La batería de procesamiento auditivo incluyó evaluación de comprensión del habla en competencia (habla en ruido), pruebas dicóticas (dígitos dicóticos y la versión en español de Staggered spondaic words, SSW), y evaluación temporal (patrón de frecuencia y discriminación de silencio). Todas estas pruebas estaban previamente validadas en población chilena. Análisis estadístico mediante programa SPSS. Se utilizaron estadísticos descriptivos y pruebas no paramétricas (Kruskal Wallis y Mann Whitney). p <.05. Protocolo aprobado por comité de ética de Investigación, pacientes consienten. Trabajo financiado por Concurso de Proyectos de Investigación de la SOCHIORL y Proyecto Anillo ACT1403. Resultados: 49 pacientes cumplen criterios de ingreso, 37 son de sexo femenino. Se identifican tres grupos: escuchan mejor por oído derecho (n: 19), por oído izquierdo (n: 14), o sin diferencia entre ambos oídos (n: 16). El grupo de pacientes con audición simétrica tenia PTP significativamente menor que los otros dos grupos. Al analizar los distintos tests de procesamiento auditivo no hay diferencia entre los grupos. Al evaluar habla dicótica se observó que el oído derecho tuvo un significativo mejor rendimiento que el oído izquierdo para dígitos dicóticos y SSW (p .000 y .007 respectivamente, test de Mann Whitney) en todo el grupo de pacientes evaluados, sin diferencia al agrupar por percepción auditiva (p .835, test de Kruskal Wallis). Conclusión: Para el grupo de pacientes evaluados no se pudo demostrar una relación entre procesamiento auditivo y percepción asimétrica de la palabra.

Abstract Introduction: Presbycusis corresponds to a symmetrical loss in the audiogram. Nevertheless, some patients complaint that they hear better in one ear. Aim: The purpose of this work is to analyze if this asymmetrical perception relates with auditory processing. Material and method: Subjects older than 65 years of age. Exclusion criteria: ear pathology, cognitive decline (Mini Mental test with score <21 points), previous use of hearing aid, asymmetrical thresholds in audiometry. Auditory processing was evaluated with speech in noise test, dichotic tests (dichotic digits and the Spanish version of Staggered spondaic words, SSW), and temporal resolution (frequency pattern and gap in noise). Statistical analysis with SPSS. Descriptive tests, Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney, p <.05. Protocol approved by the local ethics committee. Subjects consented. Financial support by the Chilean Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Proyecto Anillo ACT1403. Results: 49 subjects were recruited, 37 female. 19 of them reported better hearing with the right ear, 14 with the left ear, and 16 no difference among ears. Those subjects with symmetrical perception had better PTP than the other two groups. The three groups had no difference in auditory processing evaluation. In the dichotic hearing assessment most patients had a significant better performance for the right ear both for dichotic digits and SSW, independent of the better ear. Conclusions: For the cases included there was no relation between speech perception and auditory processing. In dichotic tests the right ear had a significant better performance.

Study of event-related potentials in school-age children with cleft palate / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To investigate possible functional disorders of central auditory processing and language in school-age children with cleft palate through an assessment of the characteristics of the P300 and N400 event-related potentials (ERPs). @*Methods @# This study included 28 school-age children with cleft palate, aged 6 to 12 years, and 30 children without cleft palate as a control group. The P300 and N400 ERPs were selected as indexes of the central auditory processing and language functions of children in both groups. The data were statistically compared between the two groups.@*Results @#Compared with the controls, the children with cleft palate showed a significantly prolonged P300 latency (331.73 ± 14.94 ms vs. 348.64 ± 14.66 ms, P < 0.05) and a significantly decreased P300 amplitude (13.47 ± 2.24 μV vs. 12.07 ± 2.46 μV, P < 0.05). Similarly, the N400 latency of children with cleft palate was significantly prolonged compared to that of controls (431.07 ± 17.90 ms vs. 408.23 ± 18.04 ms, P < 0.05), and the N400 amplitude was significantly decreased compared to that of controls (13.75 ± 2.12 μV vs. 15.17 ± 2.34 μV, P < 0.05). @* Conclusion@#School-age children with cleft palate may have central auditory processing disorders and language dysfunctions.