Search

AbstractObjectiveDesignStudy SampleResultsConclusionsThe current study aimed to explore (1) school-aged children’s auditory and cognitive abilities and (2) their perceptions (self-reported and parents) of listening behaviours and symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).Prospective cohort study.Twenty-one children aged 8 to 12 participated in this study. Eleven children with mTBI were diagnosed in the emergency department, and 10 were matched controls. They were assessed twice, in the acute (≤14 days) and chronic (≥3 months) stages post-injury, using six central auditory behavioural tests, a cognitive screening battery, and questionnaires. ANOVA and correlation analysis were performed.Group differences were present in three auditory tests as children with mTBI obtained poorer scores than controls (Pitch Pattern Sequence Tests - PPST: p = 0.037; Gap In Noise test - GIN threshold: p = 0.046; Duration Pattern Test - DPT: p = 0.053), but not for perceived listening behaviours and cognitive abilities. Correlations were found only between perceived listening behaviours and reported mTBI symptoms for parents (p =0.014) and children (p =0.002).Auditory abilities, mostly those related to temporal processing, were affected following mTBI, independently of cognitive abilities. Better identification of auditory processing difficulties following mTBI will improve treatment and resource allocation for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central auditory system encompasses two primary functions: identification and localization. Spatial release from masking (SRM) highlights speech recognition in competing noise and improves the listening experience when a spatial cue is introduced between noise and target speech. This assessment focuses on the integrity of auditory function and holds clinical significance. However, infants or pre-lingual subjects sometimes provide less reliable results. This study investigates the value of cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) onset and acoustic change complex (ACC) as an objective measurement of SRM. Thirty normal-hearing young adults (11 males) were recruited. We found the spatial separation of signals and noise (±90° symmetrically) resulted in a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement of 9.00 ± 1.71 dB behaviorally. It significantly enhanced cortical processing at all SNR levels, shortened CAEP latencies, and increased amplitudes, resulting in a greater number of measurable peaks for ACC. SRM showed mild to moderate correlations with the differences between two conditions in CAEP measures. The regression model combining N1′-P2′ amplitude at 5 dB SNR (R2 = 0.26), P1 amplitude at 0 dB SNR (R2 = 0.14), and P1 latency at −5 dB SNR (R2 = 0.15), explained 45.3% of the variance in SRM. Our study demonstrates that introducing spatial cues can improve speech perception and enhance central auditory processing in normal-hearing young adults. CAEPs may contribute to predictions about SRM and hold potential for practical application. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: The neural encoding of spatial release from masking (SRM) can be observed in normal-hearing young adults. Spatial separation between target and masker improves speech perception in noise and enhances central auditory processing. The behavioral results showed mild-to-moderate correlations with electrophysiological measures, with acoustic change complex (ACC) amplitude being a better indicator than onset components. Cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) may contribute to predictions about spatial release from masking, especially when behavioral tests are less reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Mismatch negativity (MMN) represents a negative component of event-related potentials, which is mentioned by guidelines as an important tool to provide measurable data regarding the functionality of the auditory system in acoustic processing. However, the literature still lacks reliable data that can support the clinical use of this potential in the complementary diagnosis of central auditory processing (CAP) disorder (CAPD). Objectives To analyze whether MMN assessment might be associated with the CAP behavioral test battery, as well as to assess the effects of auditory ability deficits on MMN responses in the pediatric population. Methods In total, 45 age-matched children participated in the study. They were submitted to the CAP behavior assessment and to MMN. The children were tested with a combination of speech contrast consisting of acoustic syllables [da] versus [ta], governed by the oddball paradigm. Results Mismatch negativity did not show a direct association with a single test but with the combination of the four tests used as a behavioral test battery to identify CAPD. The results also indicated that the auditory ability deficits influenced the measurement of MMN latency (p = 0.003*), but not the amplitude (p = 0.857) or the area (p = 0.577). Conclusion Mismatch negativity was shown to be statistically associated with the battery of tests used to identify deficits in auditory abilities in the studied sample rather than with a single behavioral test. The deficits in auditory abilities were observed in the MMN latency. Mismatch negativity can be used to assess children with CAPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Mismatch negativity (MMN) represents a negative component of event-related potentials, which is mentioned by guidelines as an important tool to provide measurable data regarding the functionality of the auditory system in acoustic processing. However, the literature still lacks reliable data that can support the clinical use of this potential in the complementary diagnosis of central auditory processing (CAP) disorder (CAPD).

Objectives: The auditory spatial processing abilities mature throughout childhood and degenerate in older adults. This study aimed to compare the differences in onset cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) and locationevoked acoustic change complex (ACC) responses among children, adults, and the elderly and to investigate the impact of aging and development on ACC responses. Design: One hundred and seventeen people were recruited in the study, including 57 typically-developed children, 30 adults, and 30 elderlies. The onset-CAEP evoked by white noise and ACC by sequential changes in azimuths were recorded. Latencies and amplitudes as a function of azimuths were analyzed using the analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression model. Results: The ACC N1'-P2' amplitudes and latencies in adults, P1'-N1' amplitudes in children, and N1' amplitudes and latencies in the elderly were correlated with angles of shifts. The N1'-P2' and P2' amplitudes decreased in the elderly compared to adults. In Children, the ACC P1'-N1' responses gradually differentiated into the P1'-N1'-P2' complex. Multiple regression analysis showed that N1'-P2' amplitudes (R² = 0.33) and P2' latencies (R2 = 0.18) were the two most variable predictors in adults, while in the elderly, N1' latencies (R2 = 0.26) explained most variances. Although the amplitudes of onset-CAEP differed at some angles, it could not predict angle changes as effectively as ACC responses. Conclusion: The location-evoked ACC responses varied among children, adults, and the elderly. The N1'-P2' amplitudes and P2' latencies in adults and N1' latencies in the elderly explained most variances of changes in spatial position. The differentiation of the N1' waveform was observed in children. Further research should be conducted across all age groups, along with behavioral assessments, to confirm the relationship between aging and immaturity in objective ACC responses and poorer subjective spatial performance. Significance: ACCs evoked by location changes were assessed in adults, children, and the elderly to explore the impact of aging and development on these differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The evoked auditory brainstem response (EABR) is an objective electrophysiological test used to assess the brainstem’s auditory neural activity. Speech ABR (s-ABR) testing using verbal stimuli gives more important details about how the brainstem processes speech inputs which enables the detection of auditory processing impairments that do not manifest in click-provoked ABR. The use of speech syllables in the s-ABR reveals an important brainstem function that plays a crucial part in reading development and phonologic achievement which is an assessment of speech syllables. The syllable /da/ is often utilized in s-ABR measurement being a global syllable that can be tested in many nations with effective experimental confidence. Conclusion The speech ABR is an objective, unbiased, quick test. It can be used to differentiate between many conditions such as auditory processing disorders (APD), specific language impairment (SLI), and children with academic challenges.

The current study aimed to determine the criteria used for screening and diagnosing cases with central auditory processing disorders (CAPD) in India. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey design was used in the present study. A questionnaire was developed to determine the criteria used for screening and diagnosing CAPD across clinics in India. Responses were obtained from 83 participants from all over India. Results indicated that 78% of respondents were currently doing CAPD evaluation. In that, the majority of respondents (63%) had a predetermined minimum battery that was relatively adaptable depending on the case history and age of the patient. In screening, most respondents used a screening questionnaire (SCAP, 75%) and a screening test (STAP, 60%). In the diagnostic protocol, the most used tests by the respondents were masking level difference (MLD), repetition of words (RW), gap detection test (GDT), pitch pattern test (PPT), speech perception in noise (SPIN), digit span test (DST), dichotic digit test (DDT), binaural fusion test (BFT), auditory brainstem response (ABR), dichotic CV test (DCVT), and duration pattern test (DPT). The current study's result will help professionals choose the minimum test battery for diagnosing CAPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been established that blast exposure and brain injury can result in self-reported and measured auditory processing deficits in individuals with normal or near-normal hearing sensitivity. However, the impaired sensory and/or cognitive mechanisms underlying these auditory difficulties are largely unknown. This work used a combination of behavioral and electrophysiological measures to explore how neural stimulus discrimination and processing speed contribute to impaired temporal processing in blast-exposed Veterans measured using the behavioral Gaps-in-Noise (GIN) Test. Results confirm previous findings that blast exposure can impact performance on the GIN and effect neural auditory discrimination, as measured using the P3 auditory event-related potential. Furthermore, analyses revealed correlations between GIN thresholds, P3 responses, and a measure of behavioral reaction time. Overall, this work illustrates that behavioral responses to the GIN are dependent on both auditory-specific bottom-up processing beginning with the neural activation of the cochlea and auditory brainstem as well as contributions from complex neural networks involved in processing speed and task-dependent target detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Sensory processing abnormalities are common in schizophrenia (SZ) and impact everyday functions, such as speech perception in noisy environments. Auditory-based targeted cognitive training (TCT) is a bottom up cognitive remediation intervention designed to enhance the speed and accuracy of low-level auditory information processing. However, the effects of TCT on behavioral measures of central auditory processing (CAP) and the role of CAP function on verbal learning outcomes in SZ are unknown. METHODS: SZ (n = 42) and healthy subjects (CTL; n = 18) underwent comprehensive clinical, neurocognitive, and auditory assessments, including tests of hearing sensitivity and speech recognition (Words-in-Noise (WIN), Quick Speech-in-Noise (SIN)). SZ patients were randomized to receive either treatment-as-usual (TAU); or 30-h of TCT + TAU using a stratified, parallel design. SZ patients repeated assessments ~10-12 weeks later. RESULTS: Patients exhibited deficits in both WIN (p

The human auditory system encodes sound with a high degree of temporal and spectral resolution. When hearing fails, existing neuroprosthetics such as cochlear implants may partially restore hearing through stimulation of auditory neurons at the level of the cochlea, though not without limitations inherent to electrical stimulation. Novel approaches to hearing restoration, such as optogenetics, offer the potential of improved performance. We review signal processing in the ascending auditory pathway and the current state of conventional and emerging neural stimulation strategies at various levels of the auditory system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Misophonia is characterised by abnormal reactions to certain sounds such as sounds of eating, breathing, nose sniffing. Misophonia can be seen in individuals with normal hearing or hearing loss. The aim of this study to evaluate central auditory processing in misophonia patients with temporal processing tests, such as the Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), Duration Pattern Test (DPT), and Gaps-in-Noise Test (GIN). Thirty patients with misophonia and 30 healthy control subjects were included in this study. The pure tone audiometry test, tympanometry test, and acoustic reflex test were administered to all participants. The DPT, FPT, and GIN tests were conducted with all participants. There was no significant difference in the DPT scores between the two groups for both ears (p >.05). There was no significant difference in the FPT scores between the two groups for both ears (p >.05), and there was no significant difference in the GIN scores and GIN threshold (p >.05). There was no difference between the healthy individuals and the misophonia patients when the temporal process of central auditory processing was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human auditory system encodes sound with a high degree of temporal and spectral resolution. When hearing fails, existing neuroprosthetics such as cochlear implants may partially restore hearing through stimulation of auditory neurons at the level of the cochlea, though not without limitations inherent to electrical stimulation. Novel approaches to hearing restoration, such as optogenetics, offer the potential of improved performance. We review signal processing in the ascending auditory pathway and the current state of conventional and emerging neural stimulation strategies at various levels of the auditory system.

The recognition of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) as a distinct clinical condition that impacts hearing capacity and mental health has gained attention. Although pure tone audiometry is the gold standard for assessing hearing, it inadequately reflects everyday hearing abilities, especially in challenging acoustic environments. Deficits in speech perception in noise, a key aspect of APD, have been linked to an increased risk of dementia. The World Health Organization emphasizes the need for evaluating central auditory function in cases of mild hearing loss and normal audiometry results. Specific questionnaires play a crucial role in documenting and quantifying the difficulties faced by individuals with APD. Validated questionnaires such as the Children's Auditory Processing Performance Scale, the Fisher's Auditory Problems Checklist, and the Auditory Processing Domains Questionnaire are available for children, while questionnaires for adults include items related to auditory functions associated with APD. This systematic review and meta-analysis identified six questionnaires used for screening and evaluating APD with a total of 783 participants across 12 studies. The questionnaires exhibited differences in domains evaluated, scoring methods, and evaluation of listening in quiet and noise. Meta-analysis results demonstrated that individuals with APD consistently exhibited worse scores compared to healthy controls across all questionnaires. Additionally, comparisons with clinical control groups showed varying results. The study highlights (i) the importance of standardized questionnaires in identifying and assessing APD, aiding in its diagnosis and management, and (ii) the need to use sub-scores as well as overall scores of questionnaires to elaborate on specific hearing and listening situations. There is a need to develop more APD specific questionnaires for the adult population as well as for more focused research on APD diagnosed individuals to further establish the validity and reliability of these questionnaires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common focal type of epilepsy that originates near the auditory cortex and hence may impair auditory cortical processing. The functional integrity of the auditory cortex could be assessed electrophysiologically using slow cortical response (SCR). Objective: The current study was designed to predict the validity of SCR in evaluating central auditory processing (CAP) in TLE. Subjects and Methods: This observational, case-control study involved 38 right-handed participants; the TLE group included 19 right-handed patients (International League Against Epilepsy criteria was used for diagnosis), and the control group included 19 right-handed adults matching the TLE group in both gender and age. Results: TLE group exhibited a significant delay of the left ear's N1 and P2 latency and a significant reduction of the N1P2 complex amplitude (in both ears). The effect of different variables revealed negative correlations between SCR latencies and each of the age, age of onset of TLE, and time of last seizure; positive correlations between SCR amplitudes and each of the age, age of onset of TLE, and time of last seizure; a significant effect of gender on P2 and N2 latencies; and a significant effect of seizure frequency on P1 latency. Validity measures and the ROC curve revealed a better accuracy for the left ear's N1 (82%) and then P2 (73%) latencies and for the N1P2 amplitude (right=81% and left=76%). Conclusions: The current results indicate altered neural activities within the temporal lobes of patients with TLE, which can be documented electrophysiologically by SCR. N1 and P2 waves' measures showed the highest accuracy, hence providing useful information about possible functional deterioration and impaired CAP in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study's objective was determining whether gap detection deficits are present in a longstanding cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) compared to those living without HIV (PLWOH) using a new gap detection modelling technique (i.e. fitting gap responses using the Hill equation and analysing the individual gap detection resulting curves with non-linear statistics). This approach provides a measure of both gap threshold and the steepness of the gap length/correct detection relationship. The relationship between the correct identification rate at each gap length was modelled using the Hill equation. Results were analysed using a nonlinear mixed-effect regression model. 45 PLWH (age range 41–78) and 39 PLWOH (age range 38–79) were enrolled and completed gap detection testing. The likelihood ratio statistic comparing the full regression model with the HIV effects to the null model, assuming one population curve for both groups, was highly significant (p < 0.001), suggesting a less precise relationship between gap length and correct detection in PLWH. PLWH showed degraded gap detection ability compared to PLWOH, likely due to central nervous system effects of HIV infection or treatment. The Hill equation provided a new approach for modelling gap detection ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Speech-ABR is an auditory brainstem response that evaluates the integrity of the temporal and spectral coding of speech in the upper levels of the brainstem. It reflects the acoustic properties of the stimulus used and consists of seven major waves. Waves V and A represent the onset of the response; wave C transition region; D, E, and F waves periodic region (frequency following response); and wave O reflects the offset of the response. Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical availability of the speech-ABR procedure through a literature review. Methods: Literature search was conducted in Pubmed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Science Direct databases. Clinical studies of the last 15 years have been included in this review and 60 articles have been reviewed. Results: As a result of the articles reviewed, it was seen that most of the studies on speech ABR were conducted with children and young people and generally focused on latency analysis measurements. Most used stimulus is the /da/ syllable. Conclusions: Speech ABR can objectively measure the auditory cues important for speech recognition and has many clinical applications. It can be used as a biomarker for auditory processing disorders, learning disorders, dyslexia, otitis media, hearing loss, language disorders and phonological disorders. S-ABR is an effective procedure that can be used in speech and language evaluations in people with hearing aids or cochlear implant. It may also be of benefit to the aging auditory system's ability to encode temporal cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Central auditory processing (CAP) refers to the perceptual processing of auditory inputs in the central nervous system and includes a series of auditory skills such as sound localization, auditory pattern recognition, and temporal sequencing which is a component of temporal processing. This skill can be assessed by frequency pattern test (FPT) and duration pattern test (DPT). Auditory attention is another skill that contributes to the CAP and can be analyzed by the P300. Purpose This study assesses the relationship between the P300 latency and the CAP test results of individuals with normal hearing. Research Design An experimental study was used in which the determined tests were applied to the participants. Study Sample Thirty-four individuals with normal hearing between the ages of 20 and 40 years were included in the study. Data Collection and Analysis P300, FPT, and DPT were applied to the participants. The Spearman correlation test and Mann–Whitney U test were used for analysis. Results There were significant moderate and strong-level negative correlations between P300 latency and the scores obtained from frequency pattern and DPT (p < 0.01). We also analyzed whether P300 latency and frequency pattern and DPT scores differed according to gender and, as a result, did not find significant relationship (p > 0.05). Conclusion We observed that frequency pattern and DPT scores decreased as P300 latency increased. We propose that these results could contribute to the diagnosis and follow-up process of CAP disorder by allowing P300 and CAP tests to be cross-checked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recognition of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) as a distinct clinical condition that impacts hearing capacity and mental health has gained attention. Although pure tone audiometry is the gold standard for assessing hearing, it inadequately reflects everyday hearing abilities, especially in challenging acoustic environments. Deficits in speech perception in noise, a key aspect of APD, have been linked to an increased risk of dementia. The World Health Organization emphasizes the need for evaluating central auditory function in cases of mild hearing loss and normal audiometry results. Specific questionnaires play a crucial role in documenting and quantifying the difficulties faced by individuals with APD. Validated questionnaires such as the Children’s Auditory Processing Performance Scale, the Fisher’s Auditory Problems Checklist, and the Auditory Processing Domains Questionnaire are available for children, while questionnaires for adults include items related to auditory functions associated with APD. This systematic review and meta-analysis identified six questionnaires used for screening and evaluating APD with a total of 783 participants across 12 studies. The questionnaires exhibited differences in domains evaluated, scoring methods, and evaluation of listening in quiet and noise. Meta-analysis results demonstrated that individuals with APD consistently exhibited worse scores compared to healthy controls across all questionnaires. Additionally, comparisons with clinical control groups showed varying results. The study highlights (i) the importance of standardized questionnaires in identifying and assessing APD, aiding in its diagnosis and management, and (ii) the need to use sub-scores as well as overall scores of questionnaires to elaborate on specific hearing and listening situations. There is a need to develop more APD specific questionnaires for the adult population as well as for more focused research on APD diagnosed individuals to further establish the validity and reliability of these questionnaires.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the central auditory processing (CAP) function and its electroencephalogram (EEG) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: In this study, 25 patients with early AD, 22 patients with MCI, and 22 matched healthy controls (HC) were included. After cognitive assessment, binaural processing function was assessed using the staggered spondaic word (SSW) test, and auditory working memory was assessed by auditory n-back paradigm, while EEG was recorded. Patients' behavioral indicators, event-related potentials (ERPs) components, and function connection (FC) were compared between groups and the related factors were analyzed. Results: The difference of the accuracy of behavioral tests for the three groups of subjects was significant and all the behavioral indicators were positively correlated with cognitive function scores. Intergroup differences in amplitude (p

This study analyzed cognitive differences between hearing-aid (HA) and non-HA users. We hypothesized that HA-use attenuates the auditory-cognitive cascade, thereby, the latter is more conspicuous in non-HA users. Since hearing impairment (HI) shows male predominance, we hypothesized gender differences within the auditory-cognitive relationship. Non-frail community-dwellers ≥ 80 years were assessed for HI (pure tone audiogram-PTA; speech reception threshold-SRT) and global and domain-specific cognitive impairments (Mini-Mental State Examination-MMSE; Montreal Cognitive Assessment-MOCA; Reaction Time Test-RT1-4). Pearson and partial correlations (correcting for age and PTA) assessed auditory-cognitive associations within gender and HA subgroups. Fisher's z test compared correlations between HA and non-HA users. 126 participants (age range 80–91 years) were included. HA-use prevalence was 21%. HA-users were older with worse HI (mean PTA 49.5dBHL). HA-users exhibited no significant auditory (PTA, SRT) and cognitive (MMSE, MOCA, RT1- RT4) correlations. Male non-HA users, displayed a significant association between HI and global cognition, processing speed, selective and alternating attention. Significant differences were noted between MMSE and PTA and SRT (z-score 2.28, 3.33, p = 0.02, <0.01, respectively) between HA and non-HA users. Male non-HA users displayed an association between HI and global and domain-specific (processing speed; selective and alternating attention) cognitive decline. Associations between global cognition and HI were significantly different between HA and non-HA users. This may be partially attributable to underlying subgroups sample sizes and statistical power disparity. If larger scale longitudinal or interventional studies confirm these findings, timely HI assessment and management may be the cornerstone for delaying cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural oscillations at specific frequency bands are associated with cognitive functions and can identify abnormalities in cortical dynamics. In this study, we analyzed EEG signals recorded from auditory and frontal cortex of awake mice across young, middle and old ages, and found multiple robust and novel age-related changes in cortical oscillations. Notably, resting, evoked, and induced gamma power diminished with age, with some changes observed even in the middle age groups. Inter-trial phase coherence of responses to time-varying stimuli is reduced in old mice. Movement-related modulation of gamma power is reduced in old mice. An acute injection of nicotine (0.5 mg/kg), but not saline, in old mice partially or fully reversed the age-related changes in EEG responses. Nicotine had no effect on auditory brainstem responses , suggesting the effects occur more centrally. The age-related changes are consistent with reduced activation of specific inhibitory interneuron subtypes. Importantly, our data suggest that the auditory circuits that generate 'young' responses to sounds are present in old mice, and can be activated by nicotine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research background in students with reading disorders shows that central auditory processing disorder has a major role in improving this disorder as well as improving auditory perception in children. However, less research has been done on the role of computers and computer games in the education and rehabilitation of these children. Aims: The present research was conducted with the goal of examining the efficacy of a computer-assisted rehabilitation program for central auditory processing disorder on auditory perception and dictation of students with reading disorder. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population of the present study included all students in the second grade of elementary school who were referred to special centers for learning disabilities in Tehran in the academic year 2016-2017. To select the sample, using the available sampling method, among the children who met the inclusion criteria, 36 students were selected by the available method and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The research instruments were Fisher’s Auditory Problems Checklist (1976), Dichotic Digit test (2015), Speech in Noise test (2015), Auditory Perception (Hassanzadeh, 2015) and Dictation tests (Ministry of Education, 2018). In order to analyze the obtained data, the Repeated Measures ANOVA was used. Results: The findings showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in the variables of Auditory Perception and Dictation (p˃ 0.001). The results also demonstrated that not only there existed a significant difference between the two groups, but that the main effect of the time factor was significant for the variables of Auditory Perception and Dictation (p˃ 0.001) and there was a significant difference between the mean scores of Auditory Perception and Dictation variables in the pretest, posttest and follow-up. Conclusion: Due to the obtained results, it can be concluded that the computer-assisted rehabilitation program for central auditory processing disorder improves auditory perception and spelling problems of students with reading disorders.

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses a risk to auditory temporal resolution skill. • T2DM individuals often exhibit reduced dichotic listening skill. • T2DM may lead to poor speech understanding at central auditory processing (CAP). • Diabetes duration, eGFR, blood glucose, and HDL-C relate to CAP skills. • Complications like retinopathy and carotid plaque impact CAP skills. The study aimed to explore the auditory temporal resolution and dichotic listening skills in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and identify associated health-related factors. Using a cross-sectional design, 87 adults with T2DM and 48 non-diabetic controls, all with normal hearing, participated. The two central auditory processing (CAP) skills were assessed through the Gaps-In-Noise (GIN) and Dichotic-Digits Listening (DDL) tests. T2DM participants underwent blood tests to measure various health-related factors. In the GIN test, the shortest gap threshold (GapTh) obtained across both ears was significantly higher in the diabetic group (9.1 ± 2.4 ms) compared to the non-diabetic group (7.5 ± 1.5 ms), and the score of correctly identified gaps (GapSc) in the diabetic group (45±11 %) was significantly lower than GapSc in the non-diabetic group (52±9 %), p < 0.001. In the DDL test, the free-recall score (73.8 ± 18.5 %) across both ears and the right-ear advantage (-1.3 ± 20.6 %) in the diabetic group were significantly lower than the free-recall score (85.8 ± 11.9 %) and right-ear advantage (6.9 ± 11.9 %) in the non-diabetic group, p < 0.005. Furthermore, the duration of diabetes, eGFR level, retinopathy, carotid plaque, fasting blood glucose level, and HDL-C (good cholesterol) level were factors significantly associated with performances in the GIN and/or DDL tests for T2DM participants. In conclusion, individuals with T2DM are at risk of reduced auditory processing skills in temporal resolution and dichotic listening, impacting their speech understanding. Six health-related factors were identified as significantly associated with CAP skills in T2DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Masking Level Difference (MLD) test is one of the main instruments for investigating binaural interaction. Studies with children aged 7–12 years still disagree about the influence of age on test performance and present discordant reference values. This study aimed to verify the effect of age on the performance of children aged 7–12 years in the MLD test and to establish reference values and cutoff criteria for this age group. Fifty-nine children with normal hearing were organized in three groups according to their age: 7–8 (n = 20), 9–10 (n = 20), and 11–12 (n = 19) years. The participants completed the MLD test by Auditec®. The Kruskal–Wallis statistical test was used to compare groups. Reference values were obtained by calculating mean, standard deviation, median, mode, and percentiles, while the cutoff criterion was obtained by subtracting two standard deviations from the mean. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the MLD test measures. The mean MLD was 10.51 ± 1.84 dB and the cutoff point was set at 7 dB. Thus, reference values for the MLD test were established for children aged 7–12 years, who presented no effect of age on test performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are still no valid, clinically feasible instruments to assess backward masking (BM), an auditory temporal processing (ATP) phenomenon. The aim of this study was to develop, standardize and present evidence of validity for a behavioral test for BM assessment. Young adults were submitted to a BM test (BMT), where they were asked to identify a 1000 Hz pure tone followed by a narrowband noise with interstimulus intervals of 0 to 400 ms and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) between −20 and −30 dB. The correct response rate and target sound detection threshold were calculated, and the results compared with those of young adults with abnormal ATP tests and older adults. Diagnostic accuracy analyses were carried out. Young adults with normal ATP obtained an average correct response rate of 89 and 87% for SNR −20 and −30 dB, respectively, with average thresholds between 10 and 15 ms and no difference between the left and right ears. Results were more consistent at SNR −20 dB, and the best diagnostic accuracy was obtained for SNR −20 dB, with good specificity, but low sensitivity. Normative values were obtained for the BMT, which proved to be clinically feasible, with preliminary evidence of validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Migraine is a neurological disease associated with abnormal excitability in visual, somatosensory, and motor cortex. This study aimed to verify and compare auditory processing performance in migraine patients with and without dizziness and healthy controls. Results Sixty subjects were divided into 3 groups: control group, twenty normal healthy subjects, and study group I (twenty subjects diagnosed with migraine) and study group II (twenty subjects diagnosed with vestibular migraine). They were evaluated using the Central Auditory Processing Questionnaire for adults, tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, Psychophysical Central Auditory Tests, including Arabic Speech Intelligibility in Noise Test for adults, Arabic Dichotic Digit Test [version II], Gap in Noise Test, Duration Pattern Test, and Arabic Memory Tests. No significant difference was found between the two study groups I and II, but the significant difference was found between the study groups and the control group in all central auditory test results. Statistically significant difference was found between the control group and study groups I and II regarding all memory tests. The highest percentage of abnormality was present in temporal resolution and selective auditory attention in both study groups. There was no significant statistical correlation between the number of attacks/month and central auditory test results. There was no significant statistical correlation between the frequency of attacks in VM patients and central auditory test results. Conclusions Patients with migraine and vestibular migraine had an inferior performance in all psychophysical central auditory tests when compared with control. Also, there was no significant difference between the 2 study groups regarding central auditory test results which may support that both migraine with and without dizziness have the same pathophysiology.

Objective: This study uses the multi-feature paradigm to compare the MMN responses of individuals with normal hearing thresholds, including the high frequencies with and without tinnitus. Methods: Sixteen subjects with chronic subjective idiopathic tinnitus and twenty matched healthy controls were included in the study. Participants with hearing thresholds (0.125–16 kHz) less than 20 dB HL and MoCA test scores above 21 were included in the study. MMN responses and topographical maps of the responses resulting from the multi-feature MMN paradigm were recorded from 22 surface scalp electrodes. Amplitude and latency parameters of the MMN responses of five different deviants, consisting of frequency, intensity, duration, location, and silent gap, were compared between the two groups. Results: The amplitudes of MMN responses were lower in the tinnitus group than in the control group at Fz electrode for all deviant types. At the same time, there was no difference between the groups for MMN latencies and, no correlation was found between THI and MMN. Conclusion: According to our results, the MMN might indicate a possible impairment in pre-attentive and automatic central auditory processing for chronic tinnitus patients. Since MMN responses in the tinnitus group differ from those of healthy individuals, it might be used as a reference for evaluating the central auditory pathways of tinnitus patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Specific learning disabilities (SLDs) are a significant factor in children's academic underachievement. Around 46% of SLDs children have comorbid auditory processing disorder (APD). Cognitive functions are the ability to think and plan. Consequently, learning and academic progress are significantly affected by these disabilities. Objective: Our study sought to evaluate whether children with SLDs have both central auditory processing (CAP) and cognitive abnormalities. Patients and methods: A case-control study was conducted on 36 children from different schools of Zagazig city, Alsharquia government, Egypt, allocated into 2 groups, 18 with SLDs and academic underachievement (study group I) and 18 without SLDs (control group II). Medical history, otological evaluation, basic audiological examination, central screening tests (speech in noise (SPIN), dichotic digit (DDT), and pitch pattern sequence (PPS)), test for temporal resolution (Gaps in noise, (GIN)), IQ, and visuomotor ability evaluation were used to collect data. Results: The SLDs group had lower DDT, PPS, total score and percent of GIN test versus the control groups. At the same time, the approximate threshold of GIN test in the SLDs group was significantly greater relative to the normal group. Regarding Bender-Gestalt test (BGT) test, there was highly statically significant increase scores on copy and recall phases among control group. A significant positive relationship was detected between the BGT copy and recall phases and PPS on both sides. Conclusion: Our findings endorsed our hypothesis that most children with SLDs had subnormal scores on CAP abilities and cognitive function. The most severely affected CAP were temporal resolution and temporal ordering. Most SLDs children had visuomotor affection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

cGMP is generated by the cGMP‐forming guanylyl cyclases (GCs), the intracellular nitric oxide (NO)‐sensitive (soluble) guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and transmembrane GC (e.g. GC‐A and GC‐B). In summarizing the particular role of cGMP signalling for hearing, we show that GC generally do not interfere significantly with basic hearing function but rather sustain a healthy state for proper temporal coding, fast discrimination and adjustments during injury. sGC is critical for the integrity of the first synapse in the ascending auditory pathway, the inner hair cell synapse. GC‐A promotes hair cell stability under stressful conditions such as acoustic trauma or ageing. GC‐B plays a role in the development of efferent feed‐back and gain control. Regarding the crucial role hearing has for language development, speech discrimination and cognitive brain functions, differential pharmaceutical targeting of GCs offers therapeutic promise for the restoration of hearing. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on cGMP Signalling in Cell Growth and Survival. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.11/issuetoc [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Speech comprehension in noisy environments depends on central auditory functions, which are vulnerable in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Binaural processing exploits two ear sounds to optimally process degraded sound information; its characteristics are poorly understood in AD. We studied behavioral and electrophysiological alterations in binaural processing among 121 participants (AD = 27; amnestic mild cognitive impairment [aMCI] = 33; subjective cognitive decline [SCD] = 30; cognitively normal [CN] = 31). We observed impairment of binaural processing in AD and aMCI, and detected a U‐shaped curve change in phase synchrony (declining from CN to SCD and to aMCI, but increasing from aMCI to AD). This improvement in phase synchrony accompanying more severe cognitive stages could reflect neural adaptation for binaural processing. Moreover, increased phase synchrony is associated with worse memory during the stages when neural adaptation apparently occurs. These findings support a hypothesis that neural adaptation for binaural processing deficit may exacerbate cognitive impairment, which could help identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have reported the better auditory performance of early-blind subjects over sighted subjects. However, few studies have compared the auditory functions of both hemispheres or evaluated interhemispheric transfer and binaural integration in blind individuals. Therefore, we evaluated whether there are differences in dichotic listening, auditory temporal sequencing ability, or speech perception in noise (all of which have been used to diagnose central auditory processing disorder) between early-blind subjects and sighted subjects. The study included 23 early-blind subjects and 22 age-matched sighted subjects. In the dichotic listening test (three-digit pair), the early-blind subjects achieved higher scores than the sighted subjects in the left ear (p = 0.003, Bonferroni's corrected α = 0.05/6 = 0.008), but not in the right ear, indicating a right ear advantage in sighted subjects (p < 0.001) but not in early-blind subjects. In the frequency patterning test (five tones), the early-blind subjects performed better (both ears in the humming response, but the left ear only in the labeling response) than the sighted subjects (p < 0.008, Bonferroni's corrected α = 0.05/6 = 0.008). Monosyllable perception in noise tended to be better in early-blind subjects than in sighted subjects at a signal-to-noise ratio of –8 (p = 0.054), the results at signal-to-noise ratios of –4, 0, +4, and +8 did not differ. Acoustic change complex responses to/ba/in babble noise, recorded with electroencephalography, showed a greater N1 peak amplitude at only FC5 electrode under a signal-to-noise ratio of –8 and –4 dB in the early-blind subjects than in the sighted subjects (p = 0.004 and p = 0.003, respectively, Bonferroni's corrected α = 0.05/5 = 0.01). The results of this study revealed early-blind subjects exhibited some advantages in dichotic listening, and temporal sequencing ability compared to those shown in sighted subjects. These advantages may be attributable to the enhanced activity of the central auditory nervous system, especially the right hemisphere function, and the transfer of auditory information between the two hemispheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degenerate neural circuits exhibit "different" circuit properties yet produce similar circuit outcomes (many-to-one) which ensures circuit robustness and complexity. However, neuropathies may hijack degeneracy to yield robust and complex pathological circuits. The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that physiochemical exposure to combined jet fuel and noise might induce degeneracy in the brainstem. The auditory brainstem of pigmented rats was used as a model system. The animals were randomized into the following experimental groups: Fuel+Noise, fuel-only, noise-only, and control. Ascending volume conductance from various auditory brainstem regions were evaluated simultaneously with peripheral nervous system (PNS) input to brainstem circuitry. Data demonstrated normal PNS inputs for all groups. However, the Fuel+Noise exposure group produced different caudal brainstem circuit properties while rostral brainstem circuitry initiated outputs that were similar to that of control. This degenerative effect was specific to Fuel+Noise exposure, since neither noise-alone or fuel-alone produced the same result. Degeneracy in the auditory brainstem is consistent with perceptual abnormalities, such as poor speech discrimination (hear but not understand), tinnitus (ringing in the ear), hyperacusis (hypersensitivity to even low-level sound), and loudness intolerance. Therefore, a potential consequence of Fuel+Noise exposure among military and civilian populations may be evidenced as increased rates of super-threshold auditory perceptual abnormalities. This is particularly important because to date, the ototoxic profile of Fuel+Noise exposure has remained unresolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have reported the better auditory performance of early-blind subjects over sighted subjects. However, few studies have compared the auditory functions of both hemispheres or evaluated interhemispheric transfer and binaural integration in blind individuals. Therefore, we evaluated whether there are differences in dichotic listening, auditory temporal sequencing ability, or speech perception in noise (all of which have been used to diagnose central auditory processing disorder) between early-blind subjects and sighted subjects. The study included 23 early-blind subjects and 22 age-matched sighted subjects. In the dichotic listening test (three-digit pair), the early-blind subjects achieved higher scores than the sighted subjects in the left ear (p = 0.003, Bonferroni’s corrected α = 0.05/6 = 0.008), but not in the right ear, indicating a right ear advantage in sighted subjects (p < 0.001) but not in early-blind subjects. In the frequency patterning test (five tones), the early-blind subjects performed better (both ears in the humming response, but the left ear only in the labeling response) than the sighted subjects (p < 0.008, Bonferroni’s corrected α = 0.05/6 = 0.008). Monosyllable perception in noise tended to be better in early-blind subjects than in sighted subjects at a signal-to-noise ratio of –8 (p = 0.054), the results at signal-to-noise ratios of –4, 0, +4, and +8 did not differ. Acoustic change complex responses to/ba/in babble noise, recorded with electroencephalography, showed a greater N1 peak amplitude at only FC5 electrode under a signal-to-noise ratio of –8 and –4 dB in the early-blind subjects than in the sighted subjects (p = 0.004 and p = 0.003, respectively, Bonferroni’s corrected α = 0.05/5 = 0.01). The results of this study revealed early-blind subjects exhibited some advantages in dichotic listening, and temporal sequencing ability compared to those shown in sighted subjects. These advantages may be attributable to the enhanced activity of the central auditory nervous system, especially the right hemisphere function, and the transfer of auditory information between the two hemispheres.

Copyright of Revista CES Psicologia is the property of Universidad CES and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: In a cumulative perspective, the aim of this study is to perform Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), Duration Pattern Test (DPT) and Gap In Noise (GIN) Test in order to determine descriptive values of these tests to evaluate central auditory processing on the individuals' with normal hearing. Material and Methods: A total of 52 participants, as of 28 women and 24 men, with normal hearing, within the age range of 20 to 55 were included in the study. Otoscopic examination, pure tone audiometry and FPT, DPT GIN Test which are central auditory processing tests, were performed on the participants who meet the criteria of the study and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Results: Descriptive values were obtained as an average of 78% in FPT, 92.11% in DPT, an average of 61.22% in GIN Test and an average of 6.34 ms in Gap Detection Threshold. Conclusions: It is thought that the obtained descriptive values will contribute to the clinics and the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adequate amount of sleep is the basic need for survival. It is a well-known fact that disturbed sleep, acute or chronic, deteriorates the homeostasis. Sleep deprivation (SD) produces many adverse health consequences by affecting almost all the organ systems and their functions. However, sufficient literature was lacking on the effect of SD on central auditory processing (CAP), especially the temporal resolution component in young individuals. Aims and Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of 24-hrs of sleep deprivation on the temporal resolution ability of young healthy night-shift employees. Materials and Methods: It was a Pretest-posttest study design (Quasi-Experimental study) comprising sixty (N=60) healthy security staff. After the initial survey, Tuning fork tests and Pure Tone Audiometry were performed to rule out hearing loss. Temporal resolution was assessed twice (before and after SD) by Random Gap Detection test (RGDT) where a pair of pure tone was presented at different frequencies with ‘intervals of silence’ between each pair of tones and average time interval (in milliseconds) was taken. Data analysis was done by SPSS 24 software. Results: There was an increase in RGDT values after sleep deprivation 10.70 ± 0.46 (Mean±SD), but the difference was not significant (p-value = 0.5172) when compared with baseline values 10.65 ± 0.48 (Mean±SD). Conclusion: Based on the research findings, we conclude that 24-hours of acute sleep deprivation didn’t show any negative impact on the temporal resolution component of CAP mechanism in young, healthy individuals.

Objective: Migraine is a neurological disease associated with an altered cortical excitability level. Several studies have investigated the relationship between migraine and central auditory processing (CAP), with deficits in CAP being common among migraine patients. However, studies on the factors affecting these CAP changes observed in migraine patients are still few and controversial. This study aims to investigate CAP changes in migraine patients with Duration Pattern Test (DPT) and Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), which have not been used in previous studies., Methods: Sixty subjects were divided into two groups and one migraine subgroup: control group, twenty normal healthy subjects, fourty subjects diagnosed with migraine. They were evaluated using the CAP test including DPT and FPT. To identify the variables and possible effects of the variables, a questionnaire describing the characteristics of migraine features was administered to participants with migraine., Results: No significant difference was found the between the control and study group in CAP tests scores. No significant correlation was found between migraine characteristics and CAP tests scores. Males had significantly higher FPT scores in both ears than females (p<0.05). Significant statistical negative correlation was found between age and FPT scores for both ears and left DPT scores (p<0.05)., Conclusion: Although migraine patients generally showed lower CAP ability than the control group, no significant difference was observed between them. This was also valid for subgroups of migraine. However, as age increased in the migraine group, a significant decrease in CAP performance was observed. It was observed that male migraine patients had better CAP ability, especially FPT scores. Migraine may affect performance in CAP depending on gender and age factors., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sensory processing abnormalities are common in schizophrenia (SZ) and impact everyday functions, such as speech perception in noisy environments. Auditory-based targeted cognitive training (TCT) is a "bottom up" cognitive remediation intervention designed to enhance the speed and accuracy of low-level auditory information processing. However, the effects of TCT on behavioral measures of central auditory processing (CAP) and the role of CAP function on verbal learning outcomes in SZ are unknown.Methods: SZ (n = 42) and healthy subjects (CTL; n = 18) underwent comprehensive clinical, neurocognitive, and auditory assessments, including tests of hearing sensitivity and speech recognition (Words-in-Noise (WIN), Quick Speech-in-Noise (SIN)). SZ patients were randomized to receive either treatment-as-usual (TAU); or 30-h of TCT + TAU using a stratified, parallel design. SZ patients repeated assessments ~10-12 weeks later.Results: Patients exhibited deficits in both WIN (p < 0.05, d = 0.50) and SIN (p < 0.01, d = 0.63). A treatment × time interaction on WIN (p < 0.05, d = 0.74), but not SIN discriminability, was seen in the TCT group relative to TAU. Specific enhancements in the 4-dB over background range drove gains in WIN performance. Moreover, SZ patients with greater CAP deficits experienced robust gains in verbal learning after 30-h of TCT relative to SZ patients without CAP impairment (p < 0.01, d = 1.28).Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that intensive auditory training enhances the fidelity of auditory processing and perception, such that specific CAP deficits were 'normalized' and were predictive of gains in verbal learning after TCT. It is conceivable that patients with deficiencies in CAP measures may benefit most from TCT and other interventions targeting auditory dysfunction in SZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Tests requiring central auditory processing, such as speech perception-in-noise, are simple, time efficient, and correlate with cognitive processing. These tests may be useful for tracking brain function. Doing this effectively requires information on which tests correlate with overall cognitive function and specific cognitive domains. This study evaluated the relationship between selected central auditory focused tests and cognitive domains in a cohort of normal hearing adults living with HIV and HIV– controls. The long-term aim is determining the relationships between auditory processing and neurocognitive domains and applying this to analyzing cognitive function in HIV and other neurocognitive disorders longitudinally. Method: Subjects were recruited from an ongoing study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Central auditory measures included the Gap Detection Test (Gap), Hearing in Noise Test (HINT), and Triple Digit Test (TDT). Cognitive measures included variables from the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA), Cogstate neurocognitive battery, and Kiswahili Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The measures represented three cognitive domains: processing speed, learning, and working memory. Bootstrap resampling was used to calculate the mean and standard deviation of the proportion of variance explained by the individual central auditory tests for each cognitive measure. The association of cognitive measures with central auditory variables taking HIV status and age into account was determined using regression models. Results: Hearing in Noise Tests and TDT were significantly associated with Cogstate learning and working memory tests. Gap was not significantly associated with any cognitive measure with age in the model. TDT explained the largest mean proportion of variance and had the strongest relationship to the MoCA and Cogstate tasks. With age in the model, HIV status did not affect the relationship between central auditory tests and cognitive measures. Age was strongly associated with multiple cognitive tests. Conclusion: Central auditory tests were associated with measures of learning and working memory. Compared to the other central auditory tests, TDT was most strongly related to cognitive function. These findings expand on the association between auditory processing and cognitive domains seen in other studies and support evaluating these tests for tracking brain health in HIV and other neurocognitive disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Tests requiring central auditory processing, such as speech perception-in-noise, are simple, time efficient, and correlate with cognitive processing. These tests may be useful for tracking brain function. Doing this effectively requires information on which tests correlate with overall cognitive function and specific cognitive domains. This study evaluated the relationship between selected central auditory focused tests and cognitive domains in a cohort of normal hearing adults living with HIV and HIV– controls. The long-term aim is determining the relationships between auditory processing and neurocognitive domains and applying this to analyzing cognitive function in HIV and other neurocognitive disorders longitudinally.Method: Subjects were recruited from an ongoing study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Central auditory measures included the Gap Detection Test (Gap), Hearing in Noise Test (HINT), and Triple Digit Test (TDT). Cognitive measures included variables from the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA), Cogstate neurocognitive battery, and Kiswahili Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The measures represented three cognitive domains: processing speed, learning, and working memory. Bootstrap resampling was used to calculate the mean and standard deviation of the proportion of variance explained by the individual central auditory tests for each cognitive measure. The association of cognitive measures with central auditory variables taking HIV status and age into account was determined using regression models.Results: Hearing in Noise Tests and TDT were significantly associated with Cogstate learning and working memory tests. Gap was not significantly associated with any cognitive measure with age in the model. TDT explained the largest mean proportion of variance and had the strongest relationship to the MoCA and Cogstate tasks. With age in the model, HIV status did not affect the relationship between central auditory tests and cognitive measures. Age was strongly associated with multiple cognitive tests.Conclusion: Central auditory tests were associated with measures of learning and working memory. Compared to the other central auditory tests, TDT was most strongly related to cognitive function. These findings expand on the association between auditory processing and cognitive domains seen in other studies and support evaluating these tests for tracking brain health in HIV and other neurocognitive disorders.

Background and Aim: The majority of the world's population is bilingual. Bilingualism is a form of sensory enrichment that translates to gains in cognitive abilities; these cognitive gains in attention and memory are known to modulate subcortical processing of auditory stimuli. Second language acquisition has a broad impact on various psychological, cognitive, memory, and linguistic processes. Central auditory processing (CAP) is the perceptual processing of auditory information. Due to its importance in bilingualism, this study aimed to review the CAP of bilinguals. Recent Findings: The CAP was studied in three areas: dichotic listening, temporal processing, and speech in noise perception. Regarding dichotic listening, studies have shown that bilinguals have better performance in staggered spondaic word (SSW) test, consonant-vowel dichotic test, dichotic digits test (DDT), and disyllable dichotic test than monolinguals, although similar results have also been reported in SSW and DDT. Regarding temporal processing, the results of bilinguals do not differ from those of monolinguals, although in some cases, it is better in bilinguals. Regarding speech in noise perception, the results between bilinguals and monolinguals are varied depending on the amount of linguistic information available in the stimuli. Conclusion: Bilingualism has a positive effect on dichotic processing, no effect on temporal processing, and varied effect on speech in noise perception. Bilinguals have poor performance using meaningful speech and better performance using meaningless speech. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine whether an association exists between auditory skills and the reliability of judgments of the vocal deviation grade and the degrees of roughness and breathiness and to evaluate whether these skills are predictive of interrater reliability in auditory-perceptual evaluations. The sample consisted of 20 speech-language pathology students without previous training in auditory-perceptual evaluation. The students underwent a basic audiological evaluation and a central auditory processing evaluation. They then participated in two auditory-perceptual evaluation sessions assessing the general grade (GG) and the degrees of roughness and breathiness of 44 samples of sustained vowel production with the presence or absence of dysphonia. For statistical analysis, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and a beta regression model were used. A difference was found in the average ICCs of the GG parameter between listeners with high and low temporal resolution and binaural interaction skills. Temporal resolution skills and binaural interaction affected the ICC of listeners in the GG evaluation, reducing the likelihood of reliability by 2.8 and 3.6 times, respectively. An association exists between temporal resolution skills and binaural interaction and the reliability of listeners in evaluations of vocal deviation severity. Listeners with low levels of these skills show less reliability in evaluations of the severity of vocal deviation. In addition, temporal resolution and binaural interaction are predictors and explain 42.7% of the variability in the reliability of evaluations of vocal deviation severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Auditory processing is the analysis of sounds’ attributions such as localization, lateralization, temporality, frequency, loudness, phase, auditory memory and auditory attention through primer and secondar central auditory paths. This study aims to show that music contributes on auditory processing by applying central auditory tests on two groups who are musicians and nonmusicians. Materials and Methods: The participants in this study are aged between 20 and 40. The mean age of the musician participants is 24.40±3.811, when the mean age of non-musician participants is 26.07±4.525. Each group has 30 participants. All participants got examined for otorhinolaryngology and they were tested for pure tone audiometry and immitansmetric measurement. For musician participants, this study included people who have professional music career for at least 5 years and for non-musician participants, it has been included those who are capable of normal hearing. All participants tested for Frequency Patterns Test (FPT), Duration Patterns Test (DPT), Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) and Staggered Spondaic Word Test (SSWT). Results: The results of the FPT, DPT, RGDT and SSWT tests applied to musician and non-musician participants indicate that there is a statistical significance on auditory processing between these two groups (p<0.05). It is founded that there is a considerable difference as a result of statistical significance between the tests from right to left and from left to right (p<0.05). In addition, it is founded that musician participants have much more comprehension ability in the tests from left to right than the tests from right to lefts. Conclusion: This study indicates that people who are interested in music professionally have developed auditory processing skills and senses than people who does not show any professional interest in music. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In central auditory disorders caused by damage of the cerebral hemispheres, there are cortical deafness and auditory agnosia. Although clinical cases of cortical deafness have been reported, little is known about the hearing problems and localized lesions associated with cortical deafness. The aims of our research are to elucidate lesion sites associated with cortical deafness and to clarify why patients with cerebral lesions are not aware of any sound at all. Three patients diagnosed as having total loss of hearing participated in this study. We conducted pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), auditory brainstem response (ABR), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose cortical deafness with aphasia tests of these patients. Our studies showed that waves VI and VII as well as waves I to V have normal peak latencies in ABRs in all three patients. In brain MRI, we found complete damage of proximal parts of bilateral auditory radiations in the three patients. We propose 'subcortical deafness' as a subtype of auditory agnosia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]