Auditory processing abilities in pitch and duration pattern tests for elderly:

Abstract

Purpose: to analyze the performance of elderly people with hearing loss compared to normal-hearing elderly people in the Pitch Pattern Sequence Test (PPS) and Duration Pattern Sequence Test (DPS). Research strategy: Electronic search strategies were individually developed for each of the following databases: LILACS, LIVIVO, Pubmed, Scopus, SpeechBITE and Web of Science. Grey literature was searched by using Google Scholar, OpenGrey and Proquest Dissertations and Theses. Selection criteria: Observational studies that evaluated elderly (over 60 years old) with age related hearing loss or presbycusis, ranging from mild to moderately severe, with different scores, compared to normal hearing for pitch (PPS) or duration pattern sequence (DPS) tests were included. The methodology of selected studies was evaluated using Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (MAStARI) critical appraisal tools for cross sectional studies. No restrictions regarding language, period of publication or gender were applied. Results: Title and summary of 1042 articles were analyzed after duplicates were removed. From this analysis, the full texts of 15 articles were analyzed. Five studies were included in this systematic review, three studies used the Musiek DPS version, two used the Auditec DPS and PPS version. Risk of bias was low (three studies) and moderate (two studies), according to this protocol. Conclusion: This systematic review showed no score differences between groups with presbycusis compared with normal hearing for DPS and PPS test. More primary studies utilizing the same protocol for PPS and DPS are needed.