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Background and Aim: It is important to know how much are the auditory electrophysiological tests affected by sleep and wakefulness to be employed in different situations. This problem is more important for the speech-evoked Auditory Brainstem Response (speechABR) test that is affected by higher-level processing. This study aimed to compare the results of the speech-ABR test between wakefulness and sleep states. Methods: Sixteen young male adults (aged 20–28 years) with normal hearing participated in this study. The speech-ABR to the /da/ syllable was recorded during wakefulness and sleep. Electroencephalography (EEG) and behavioral tests (eyes position, body movements, etc.) were monitored during the test time to confirm the sleep state. Results: The speech-ABR test parameters showed significant changes during sleep compared to wakefulness (latencies of waves V and A were longer and the amplitudes of waves V and A, the slope of V-A complex, and the spectral magnitude of F1 were lower). However, the spectral magnitude of higher frequencies was not significantly different. In addition, no significant statistical difference was observed in speech-ABR parameters between right and left ears. Conclusion: Although the speech-ABR originates from brainstem centers, unlike conventional click-evoked ABR, it is affected by sleep as it is affected by the higher-level auditory processing functions. Although, further studies are needed. However, our study opens the way for many applied auditory studies about the possibility to use speech-ABR for auditory processing assessments in sleep state of different population groups, such as neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Perception of speech in noise (SIN) is based on the accurate extraction of spectral and temporal cues. Disruption of this process can reduce the productivity of the spectral and temporal features of the target stimulus and speech recognition in noise. Auditory processing disorder is one of the main challenges of people with stroke, which leads to social, mental, and even physical failures. This study aimed to investigate the spectral and temporal processing abilities of people with stroke compared to healthy peers. Methods: In this study, participants were 15 patients with stroke referred to the neurology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital and 30 healthy people aged 20–60 years. Spectral Modulation Detection Test (SMDT), Pitch Pattern Sequencing Test (PPST), Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) and QuickSIN tests were performed for all participants. The mean scores of the two groups were compared. Results: Patients with stroke had poorer performance in SMDT, PPST, RGDT and QuickSIN tests (p<0.001) compared to healthy subjects. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between SIN test with temporal and spectral processing in the normal group, but the correlation pattern was different in people with stroke. The scores of all the tests were not significantly different between the right and left ears. Conclusion: The results showed that people with stroke have poorer performance in all tests compared to normal people and have more problems in speech perception in challenging areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The Persian version of the University of Cincinnati Auditory Processing Inventory (P-UCAPI) is used to evaluate auditory processing disorders in Iranian people using six subscales, each focusing on different auditory skills. In this study, we aimed to compare the total score and the subscale scores of the P-UCAPI among three age groups to evaluate the impact of aging on auditory processing. Methods: Participants in three age groups of 20, including 21-39 years (group A), 42-60 years (group B), and 61-80 years (group C) completed the P-UCAPI. One-way ANOVA and Welch's t-test was used to compare the mean scores of each subscale among the three groups. Results: The mean scores of listening and concentrating (p<0.001), understanding speech (p<0.001), attention (p=0.010), and other (p<0.001) were significantly lower in group C compared to group A. The mean scores of listening and concentrating (p=0.001), understanding speech (p<0.001), and other (p<0.001) were significantly lower in group C compared to group B. The mean total score was not significantly different between groups A and B (p=0.333). However, the difference was significant between groups A and C (p<0.001) and between groups B and C (p<0.001). Conclusion: The increase of age affects the auditory processing and generally reduces the auditory performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Identifying sound localization defects in children and using appropriate rehabilitation methods lead to improve their problem to use binaural processing skills to successfully suppress background noise and selectively attend to a particular auditory source. This pilot study aims to design a game for auditory training of children with Spatial Processing Disorder (SPD) in Iran and compare their performance in engagement time and speech recognition in noise with those of normal peers. Methods: The game application was designed based on the spatial separation of target and competing stimuli by applying head-related transfer functions. The child's task was to identify the picture of the target word from among the displayed options. Participants were 24 children with SPD and 27 normal peers aged 7-9 years, who performed the speech recognition tasks using the designed game. Results: The game was fascinating and easy to use for most participants. There was no significant difference in mean engagement time between the two groups. The mean engagement time of participants was significantly different between the two groups in terms of age. The children with SPD obtained lower scores in speech recognition in noise tasks. There was no significant difference in speech recognition scores between girls and boys. Conclusion: The designed game application has the potential for speech recognition innoise training of children with SPD in Iran. It is a fascinating and user-friendly tool for simulating the real-life auditory situations for these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The use of subliminal stimulation for unconscious effects on the target population is of great importance. while several studies have generated proper visual and auditory stimuli for subliminal stimulation, no study was found on the long-term effects of it. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the long-term effects of auditory subliminal presentation on the central nervous system structures using fMRI and Auditory Late Responses (ALRs). Methods: Participants were 26 students with a mean age of 24.03 ± 2.32 years. There was four group in study. First, fMRI was done and ALRs were recorded for all of them. Then, music files containing words embedded in them was presented subliminally to participants in groups A and B for 10 days, group C received music file without any subliminal stimuli and group D was control group. It was repeated after 10 days. Results: The subliminal stimuli had significant effects on the amplitudes of P1, N1, P2, and P3 waves (F3=25.03, 25.41, 39.11, and 14.60; p<0.001). Between-group comparison showed significant changes in groups A and B compared to groups C and D (p<0.05). The difference in the recorded potential mean values showed the highest change for recording electrodes in the prefrontal, frontal, and central regions and the lowest change in parietal and occipital regions. There was no significant change for a latency component. Conclusion: Subliminal stimuli, presented appropriately and continuously, can leave long-term effects on the central nervous system structure causing extensive changes in the people's attitude to a certain subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a case study of a 30-year-old man who experienced tinnitus and reduced word recognition after undergoing embolization for a cerebellar arteriovenous malformation (CAVM). The patient had a bilateral inferior colliculus infarction, which is a rare complication of the procedure. The study highlights the auditory effects of lesions in the inferior colliculus and suggests that the reflux of embolization material may contribute to these complications. The authors recommend caution and precise catheter placement to minimize the risk of such complications. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the most effective coping mechanism to deal with auditory hallucinations that reduces the frequency of voice-hearing and associated distress. In the present randomized controlled trial, each of the three coping mechanisms of attentional avoidance, attentional focusing, and mindfulness were used in one group and the fourth group was the control group. Method: A total of 64 patients with schizophrenia, categorized in three groups of attentional avoidance, attentional focusing and mindfulness and one control group, were asked to listen to an ambiguous auditory task depending on the type of their coping mechanism. After determining the baseline of distress, the task was performed in duplicate for each group. After playing the auditory task for the first time, participants were asked to rate out the level of their distress and compliance with instructions, and they were asked to estimate the likely number of words they had heard. After the second time, they were asked to note the words they hear during the task and rate out their distress and compliance with instructions again at the end of the task. Results: There was a significant difference between groups in terms of distress with a medium effect size of 0.47. The post hoc analysis revealed that mindfulness group reported less distress compared to the attentional focusing group (P = 0.017) and the control group (P = 0.027). Also, a significant difference existed between groups in terms of the frequency of the identified words, with a moderately strong effect size of 0.59, and a very good statistical power of 0.99. The post hoc analysis showed that attentional avoidance (P = 0.013) and attentional focusing (P = 0.011) groups heard fewer words than the control group. Conclusion: Attention is a good target for treating psychotic patients with auditory hallucinations. Also, manipulation of attention can affect the frequency of auditory hallucinations and associated distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The Buffalo Model Questionnaire (BMQ) has been proposed for the screening, helping to diagnose and also monitoring the effect of rehabilitation on the improvement of Central Auditory Processing Disorder ((C)APD). In this regard, the applicability and accuracy of Persian-BMQ (P-BMQ) are evaluated by examining the correlation between the results of this questionnaire and the Buffalo model test battery. Methods: Overall, 254 children, normal and with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) aged between 7–12 years old participated in this cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was completed by the parents of children who were subjected to the Buffalo model test battery evaluations. Results: In the normal group, the highest correlation (0.648) was shown between the Decoding (D) component of the P-BMQ with the Row Staggered Spondaic Word (RSSW) variable. In the SLD group, the highest correlation (0.318) was shown between the Variance-tolerance fading memory (V) component of the P-BMQ and the qualitative Persian version of the Phonemic Sentence Test (P-PST) variable. The highest correlation was considered to be between the D component of the P-BMQ with the Right Competitive word, started in the Left ear (RC-LEF) variable in the SSW test (0.498), and qualitative P-PST variable (0.471); and 0.360 between the V component of the P-BMQ and Persian version of the Speech in Noise with S/N=4 in the Left ear (P-SIN4L) of variable in the P-SIN test. Conclusion: P-BMQ is a useful screening tool complementing the Persian Buffalo model test battery for evaluating auditory processing evaluation in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is seen in a wide array of populations, including children and adults. CAPD is characterized by deficits in one or more auditory abilities, causes difficulties in auditory discrimination, temporal and binaural processing although hearing thresholds are in the normal range. Children's auditory performance scale (CHAPS) is a screening instrument. This study examined the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of children's auditory performance scale. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 healthy children were included. The children's ages ranged from seven to nine years, and they passed the screening test using distortion product otoacoustic emissions before administering the scale in the translation process, the backtranslation method was used, in addition to the face validity procedure. Teachers fulfilled the questionnaire in the presence of an audiologist. After two weeks, the scale was re-administrated, and then the statistical analysis was done to examine the reliability and validity of Arabic version of CHAPS (CHAPS-AR). Results: The internal consistency was examined with Cronbach's a (a=0.997), for testretest reliability, Pearson›s (r) was examined (r=0.994) and when executing the face validity, five experts agreed that the CHAPS-AR has a clear structure, syntax and it is easy to understand and use. Conclusion: The Arabic version of CHAPS can be considered a reliable and valid screening instrument for clinical and research use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Early detection of auditory processing disorders (APD) is essential for preventing learning and educational problems in school-aged children. It is crucial to take into account the comorbidity with APD, as well. The goal of APD screening is to obtain the basic information about those with auditory disorders to be referred for further evaluation. This study aimed to identify the elementary school students at risk of APD in Tehran, Iran. Methods: Participants were the parents of 536 children selected from 11 elementary schools in four districts of Tehran city. The schools in each district were selected by a random clustering method. The auditory system of students was first evaluated. The parents were then asked to complete the Persian version of the auditory processing domain questionnaire (APDQ). Results: The prevalence of APD was 3.3% in girls and 8.3% in boys and the difference between them was statistically significant (p=0.021). The overall prevalence of APD was 4.6% based on the cut-off points of four APDQ domains, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.6. Conclusion: It is necessary to screen APD in school-aged children to minimize learning and educational problems in them. Moreover, there is a need for developing screening methods to provide timely detection and appropriate intervention for those at risk of APD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The majority of auditory processing guidelines use questionnaires or checklists as screening tools. The Buffalo Model Questionnaire (BMQ) is a well-known and sensitive questionnaire to be used along with the Buffalo Model diagnostic test battery. The revision for the Buffalo Model Questionnaire- Revised (BMQ-R) implemented to improve the readability of the BMQ, reducing the completion time and increasing the ease of scoring for the audiologist. The purpose of this study was to develop and investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of BMQ-R (P-BMQ-R). Methods: After cross-cultural adaptation of the questionnaire, the validity and reliability were determined, also the norms for the children in age ranges between 7 and 12 were generated. Results: Findings of this study revealed strong content and face validity of the questionnaire. Scores of the test and retest were correlated (r > 0.9) strongly and positively based on Spearman correlation coefficient. Conclusion: The Persian version of BMQ-R (P-BMQ-R) is a valid and reliable tool and is suitable to use in everyday practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Amblyaudia is a diagnostic issue in central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), which is characterized by asymmetry in dichotic listening performance. This disorder negatively affects the academic performance of children by influencing their information processing, reading, attention, etc. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the dichotic interaural intensity difference (DIID) training on all auditory processing categories of the Buffalo Model using the Persian staggered spondaic word (P-SSW) test. Methods: The study was conducted on 17 children (11 girls and 6 boys) aged 8-12 years old diagnosed with amblyaudia. All children were first evaluated by the P-SSW test, and then participated in 10-12 sessions of the DIID training. The P-SSW test was taken again after completing the training program in order to evaluate the training effect. Results: The paired t-test results showed a significant reduction in the mean scores of decoding (p < 0.001) and tolerance fading memory (p < 0.004) categories as well as the total mean score of P-SSW test after training. The Wilcoxon test also showed the effect of this training on the integration category (p < 0.025). The McNemar test, however, showed no statistically significant effect of the DIID training on the organization category. Conclusion: The DIID training causes significant improvement in some central auditory processing categories of the Buffalo Model, including decoding, tolerance fading memory and integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Auditory processing disorder (APD), as a sensory processing defect, can be comorbid with other disorders such as learning disability (LD). LD has shown a greater likelihood of comorbidity with APD. Therefore, the deficits associated with APD needs to be identified in children with LD. Given the high likelihood of APD comorbidity in children with LD, this study aimed to screen for APD in 8-12-year-old children with LD using the Persian auditory processing domains questionnaire (APDQ-P). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, APDQ-P was administered on 250 normal children with a mean (SD) age of 10 (1.48) years old (153 girls and 97 boys), and 110 children with LD with a mean (SD) age of 9 (1.92) years old (40 girls and 61 boys). After obtaining the cut-off point, the scores of the two groups were compared by a t-test in 5 age categories. Finally, we calculated the number of children with suspected APD using APDQ-P. Results: There was a significant difference between the scores of LD and normal group in all subscales including auditory processing, language and attention. About 75% of LD children failed in auditory processing, 86% in attention skills, and 82% in language skills. Conclusion: A significant proportion of children with LD were suspected of APD, which could be indicative of a high likelihood of comorbidity of APD in children with LD. More accurate identification of the degree and type of APD in these children requires central auditory diagnostic tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Since the first report of recording the binaural interaction component (BIC) in 1970, many studies have been conducted on BIC but none of them make its way to clinical application yet. The present paper aims at reviewing the characteristics and potential applications of BIC in audiology. Recent Findings: BIC may be a potentially sensitive objective tool in identifying subjects with auditory processing disorders and monitoring auditory training effects. It can also help effective electrode insertion in bilateral cochlear implantation. Besides, BIC has shed light on the binaural processing maturation in infants. BIC recoding faces some difficulties as it is sensitive to noise and presentation rate, and has low amplitude, especially in brainstem level. These issues might contribute to its limited clinical applications. Conclusion: Although BIC has not been introduced as an objective tool for testing binaural processing, it has the potential to be a reliable test. Furthermore, BIC may be used in situations where no behavioral test can be conducted. Such circumstances are during cochlear implantation or testing uncooperative pre-school children for auditory processing or the lack of standard behavioral tests for them. Further research on BIC is highly recommended before it can gain any clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Dichotic listening disorders occur secondary to interhemispheric transfer dysfunction. Central processing tests such as staggered spondaic words (SSW) and dichotic digits test (DDT) are recommended for the evaluation of dichotic listening in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The present study aimed to evaluate dichotic listening in subjects with MS by SSW and DDT. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 45 patients with MS, including 20 males (mean ± SD age: 35.95 ± 5.73 y) and 25 females (mean ± SD age: 37.40 ± 6.1 y) and their data were collected by the Persian version of SSW (P-SSW) and DDT. The results compared to 45 normal subjects age- and gendermatched as the control group. Results: In patients with MS, P-SSW quantitative and qualitative errors (except for Sm2 and reversals), errors were significantly more than the control group (p = 0.001). Right and left ear scores in DDT for the patients with MS were significantly lower, and right ear advantage was significantly higher than that in the control group (p = 0.001). The results also showed a significant correlation between the test of PSSW and DDT in the left ear. Conclusion: The present study showed that patients with MS have lower performance in dichotic listening and binaural processing than normal peers. Identification of binaural processing deficit in patients with MS may lead to early rehabilitation and improving their function by facilitating auditory processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Time compressed speech test is one of the most useful monaural tests for evaluation of central auditory processing disorder. For developing the time compressed sentences test, the compression rate of the sentences must be set so that the average speech comprehension score is about 90% in normal individuals and can challenge central auditory processing system sufficiently so subjects with auditory processing disorders could be identified. Therefore, the aim of the present study was finding the appropriate compression rate for developing compressed sentences test in Persian. Method: Initially, two 10-sentence lists were prepared based on the experts' opinion and were compressed by the amount of 60, 65, 70, 75 and 80% using Praat software. Compressed sentences were tested on twelve 18-25 year-old normal individuals and the speech comprehension score in different compression rates was compared and the compression rate in which the average score was approximately 90% was reported as an appropriate compression rate for developing time compressed sentences test in Persian. Results: 70% compression rate was able to create an average score of 95.27% (± 3.31) and 93.6% (± 7.17) in the right and left ear, respectively. Conclusion: Results showed that the compression rate of 70% was appropriate rate for developing the test in the Persian language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Tinnitus is a perception of sound in ears or head in the absence of any external stimuli. Despite its high prevalence in various age groups, tinnitus has still no effective treatment because its physiological and pathological mechanisms have remained unknown. Since the study of cellular-molecular mechanisms of tinnitus production and stability in human is not feasible, animal models have been used to shed some light on tinnitus induction and propagation mechanisms. This study reviewed some of these research studies. The present review article is based on articles published during 1967-2018 in which keywords such as "salicylate," "noise," "tinnitus in the animal model," and "tinnitus mechanism" were used. These articles were searched in databases such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. Recent Findings: Despite differences in the mechanisms of tinnitus induction, the structural changes initiated from the cochlea and continued to cortex reflect the extent of the affected regions in the creation, development, and preservation of tinnitus. Conclusion: Animal models (exposed to noise or ototoxic drugs such as salicylate) are ideal tools for studying tinnitus and understanding the details of its propagation and unknown mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The dichotic listening subtest is considered as an important component of the test battery for auditory processing assessment in both children and adults. A randomized dichotic digits test (RDDT) was created to compensate for sensitivity weakness of double digits when detecting abnormal ear asymmetry during dichotic listening. The aim of this study was the development and initial evaluation of the Persian randomized dichotic digits test. Method: Persian digits 1-10 (except for the bisyllabic digit, 4) uttered by a native Persian language speaker were recorded in a studio. After alignment of intensity and temporal characteristics of digit waveforms, lists 1 and 2 of the RDDT were reproduced. List 1 of the test was administered at 55 dBHL on 50 right-handed normal hearing individuals (with an equal sex ratio) in the age group of 18-25 years and hearing thresholds of 15 dBHL or better in audiometric frequencies. Results: Mean (standard deviation) percent-correct score for right and left ears and right ear advantage of the subjects was 94.3 (5.3), 84.8 (7.7), and 9.5 (7.0) percent, respectively. Sixty percent of the subjects showed normal results and unilateral and bilateral deficits were seen in 24 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Conclusion: It seems the Persian version of RDDT is the same as the original test as it is able to test ear asymmetry, unilateral and bilateral deficits in dichotic listening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Specific language impairment (SLI), one variety of developmental language disorder, has attracted much interest in recent decades. Much research has been conducted to discover why some children have a specific language impairment. So far, research has failed to identify a reason for this linguistic deficiency. Some researchers believe language disorder causes defects in phonological working memory and affects auditory processing speed. Therefore, this study reviews the results of research investigating these two factors in children with specific language impairment. Recent Findings: Studies have shown that children with specific language impairment face constraints in phonological working memory capacity. Memory deficit is one possible cause of linguistic disorder in children with specific language impairment. However, in these children, disorder in information processing speed is observed, especially regarding the auditory aspect. Conclusion: Much more research is required to adequately explain the relationship between phonological working memory and auditory processing speed with language. However, given the role of phonological working memory and auditory processing speed in language acquisition, a focus should be placed on phonological working memory capacity and auditory processing speed in the assessment and treatment of children with a specific language impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Although double dichotic digit test is a useful tool for assessing the central auditory system in adults, it is more useful for evaluating younger children. The present study aimed to develop the Persian version of the single dichotic digit test and to obtain initial normative data. Methods: The Persian version of the present test consisted of three different sets of 25 single digit pairs for testing in the free recall, directed recall to right, and directed recall to left conditions. The digits in each list were recorded dichotically on a compact disc. The sectional study was performed on 126 male students, aged between 7 and 9. The test-retest reliability was assessed in 29 subjects two to four weeks after the first test session. Results: In seven year olds, the mean right and left ear scores increased from around 95.79% and 89.69%, respectively. In eight year olds, the mean right and left ear scores increased from around 98.59% and 96.29%, respectively. The mean right ear advantage decreased from around 6.13% in 7 year olds to around 2% in 8 year olds (p=0.001). No significant difference was found in scores between the free recall and directed recall conditions (p>0.05). The test had a high test-retest reliability (p>0.05). Conclusion: The Persian version of the test has a high test-retest reliability for evaluating male children aged between 7 and 9; it can be used for assessing binaural integration in male children of this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: An imbalance between phonatory subsystems may lead to disturbing phonatory muscular balance and consequently voice disorders. Based on theoretical issues, criterion-based laryngeal manual therapy, as a novel treatment method which is supported by classical laryngeal manual therapy, can improve voice quality using manual maneuvers combined with phonatory tasks. The present study aimed to report the treating effects of this method on hyperfunctional voice disorders. Methods: Twenty adult participants with hyperfunctional voice disorders by the least three months history of voice disorder were selected. The participant's voices were assessed multidimensionally using acoustic, audio-pecreptual and stroboscopic assessments before and after treatment. Results: There were a decrease in jitter (p=0.003) and shimmer (p<0.001) and also, increase in harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR) (p<0.001) of vowel /a/ after treatment. Besides, there was an increase in harmony to noise ratio (p=0.009) and decrease in jitter (p=0.020) of vowel /i/, too. There were not significant changes in shimmer amount of vowel /i/ (p=0.170) after treatment. There were highly significant changes in all aspects of audio-perceptual (p<0.001) and videostroboscopic (p<0.001) parameters. Conclusion: Using voice-based laryngeal manual therapy can be a treatment method in handling hyperfunctional voice disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Staggered spondaic words (SSW) test examines central auditory nervous system. Some researches show stuttering causes hyperactivity in motor system of the right hemisphere and cerebellum and decreases activity in the left hemisphere. During stuttering also, central auditory processing is decreased. The aim of this study was to compare the Persian staggered spondaic word test results between persistent developmental stutterers and normal subjects. Methods: Thirty people with persistent developmental stuttering were participants of this cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study, which were aged 11 to 40 years. The control group matched for gender and number with stutters. They were 8 females and 22 males, with the age of 11 to 40 years, without any stuttering history, neurological diseases and auditory disorders. Results: Stutterers were in normal category in corrected staggered spondaic words test. The mean scores of errors of right compete, right ear, left compete, left ear and total in corrected staggered spondaic words between control and stuttering group showed significant differences. There was a significant relationship between stuttering and effect, too (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the obtained results of this study, stutterers may have different cortical and subcortical brain activity than people who have not stutter. Central auditory processing abilities of stutterers are weaker than normal people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The temporal processing is one of the critical features in central auditory processing system; the gap in noise (GIN) test is the appropriate clinical tool for appraisal of temporal resolution which in people with multiple sclerosis may encounter with complications. Consequently, the aim of this study was to compare the results of gap in noise test in 18 to 40-year-old patients with multiple sclerosis and normal participants. Methods: This cross-sectional non-invasive cohort study was conducted on 20 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (mean age: 28.9 years) and 26 healthy normal hearing participant (mean age: 27.7 years) in the age range 18 to 40 years. The approximate threshold and percent of corrected responses were obtained and then were analyzed using Student's t-test. Results: There was an increase in gap detection and decrease in percent of corrected responses in gap in noise test within multiple sclerosis patients in comparison with normal people (p<0.0001). Moreover, there were a correlation of 78% between increasing disease duration and approximate threshold and also a correlation of 82% between increasing disease duration and corrected responses (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it seems that people with multiple sclerosis suffer from some degree of disorder in the temporal resolution which might be due to involvement of central nerve system and, somehow, deficit in central auditory processing. Therefore, for evaluating the temporal resolution in people with multiple sclerosis, gap in noise test could be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Auditory temporal processing reveals an important aspect of auditory performance, in which a deficit can prevent the child from speaking, language learning and reading. Temporal resolution, which is a subgroup of temporal processing, can be evaluated by gap-in-noise detection test. Regarding the relation of auditory temporal processing deficits and phonologic disorder of children with dyslexia-dysgraphia, the aim of this study was to evaluate these children with the gap-in-noise (GIN) test. Methods: The gap-in-noise test was performed on 28 normal and 24 dyslexic-dysgraphic children, at the age of 11-12 years old. Mean approximate threshold and percent of corrected answers were compared between the groups. Results: The mean approximate threshold and percent of corrected answers of the right and left ear had no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). The mean approximate threshold of children with dyslexia-dysgraphia (6.97 ms, SD=1.09) was significantly (p<0.001) more than that of the normal group (5.05 ms, SD=0.92). The mean related frequency of corrected answers (58.05, SD=4.98%) was less than normal group (69.97, SD=7.16%) (p<0.001). Conclusion: Abnormal temporal resolution was found in children with dyslexia-dysgraphia based on gap-in-noise test. While the brainstem and auditory cortex are responsible for auditory temporal processing, probably the structural and functional differences of these areas in normal and dyslexic-dysgraphic children lead to abnormal coding of auditory temporal information. As a result, auditory temporal processing is inevitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Contralateral suppression of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) test evaluates the efferent auditory system. In this test, acoustic reflex is an important confounding variable. In recent years, application of this test is growing especially in children suspect to central auditory processing disorder. Therefore, the magnitude of influence of this confounding variable on the suppression of TEOAEs should be made clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of acoustic reflex on contralateral suppression of TEOAEs. Methods: This research was performed on 39 normal-hearing adults of both sexes and of 18-26 years of age. Tests were used for the determination of interaural attenuation (IA), acoustic reflex, TEOAEs and contralateral suppression of TEOAEs. Results: TEOAEs amplitudes and their contralateral suppression were significantly higher in females and males respectively (p = 0.01). The amount of TEOAEs suppression before reflex activity ranged between 2000 to 3000 Hz. Activation of acoustic reflex significantly increased the magnitude of suppression in all frequency bands (p≤0.01) and maximum suppression occurred in 500 to 1000 Hz. Conclusion: For achieving accuracy of clinical findings, clinicians should always use suppressant levels lower than the acoustic reflex threshold. It is recommended that different norms for males and females be used in contralateral suppression of TEOAEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Tinnitus is an unpleasant sound which can cause some behavioral disorders. According to evidence the origin of tinnitus is not only in peripheral but also in central auditory system. So evaluation of central auditory system function is necessary. In this study Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were compared in noise induced tinnitus and non-tinnitus control subjects. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study is conducted in 60 cases in two groups including of 30 noise induced tinnitus and 30 non-tinnitus control subjects. ABRs were recorded ipsilateraly and contralateraly and their latencies and amplitudes were analyzed. Results: Mean interpeak latencies of III-V (p= 0.022), I-V (p=0.033) in ipsilatral electrode array and mean absolute latencies of IV (p=0.015) and V (p=0.048) in contralatral electrode array were significantly increased in noise induced tinnitus group relative to control group. Conclusion: It can be concluded from that there are some decrease in neural transmission time in brainstem and there are some sign of involvement of medial nuclei in olivery complex in addition to lateral lemniscus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Assessment of central auditory processing skills needs various behavioral tests in format of a test battery. There is a few Persian speech tests for documenting central auditory processing disorders. The purpose of this study was developing a dichotic test formed of onesyllabic words suitable for evaluation of central auditory processing in Persian language children and reporting its preliminary results in a group of normal children. Materials and Methods: Persian words in competing manner test was developed utilizing most frequent monosyllabic words in children storybooks reported in the previous researches. The test was performed at MCL on forty-five normal children (39 right-handed and 6 left-handed) aged 5-11 years. The children did not show any obvious problem in hearing, speech, language and learning. Free (n=28) and directed listening (n=17) tasks were investigated. Results: The results show that in directed listening task, there is significant advantage for performance of pre-cued ear relative to opposite side. Right ear advantage is evident in free recall condition. Average performance of the children in directed recall is significantly better than free recall. Average row score of the test increases with the children age. Conclusion: Persian words in competing manner test as a dichotic test, can show major characteristics of dichotic listening and effect of maturation of central auditory system on it in normal children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]