Cognitive Auditory Training: Comparative Impact of Telerehabilitation and In-person Training

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cognitive auditory approach has been shown effective in assessment and intervention with children with Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD). Objective: To compare the intervention methods: telerehabilitation for synchronous auditory training through an Online Cognitive Auditory Training Program, with the traditional rehabilitation method, called acoustically controlled auditory training, carried out in person in an acoustic booth. Methods: The sample included 23 children between the ages of 7 and 9, of both genders, living in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, who were divided into two groups: Group I - 13 children undergoing telerehabilitation and Group II - 10 children undergoing auditory training in an acoustic booth. The instruments used were: i) Pediatric Speech Intelligibility (PSI) test in the ipsilateral competitive messages (ICM condition); ii) Digit Dichotic (DD) in binaural integration and separation skills test in auditory separation and integration skills. Results: In this study the following results were: a) there were statistically significant differences in the performance of children who underwent telerehabilitation for CAPD, revealing the reliability of the method, b) there were statistically significant differences both in the effect of auditory training carried out through telerehabilitation and in the effect of auditory training carried out in person, proving that the effectiveness of the two methods is equivalent, c) there were statistically significant differences in the performance of school-age students with CAPD who used the Online Cognitive Auditory Training Program, showing that the cognitive auditory approach is effective in intervention with children with CAPD. Conclusion: There is efficacy in cognitive auditory training through the telerehabilitation intervention. Results shown that intervention through the Online Cognitive Auditory Training Program support student learning and communication skills. Keywords: Auditory Processing, Cognitive Auditory Training, Telerehabilitation, Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD).