English language and language-free detection of spatial processing disorders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to compare speech reception thresholds in noise measured with the Listening in Spatialised Noise – Universal test (LiSN-U; which requires no English knowledge) with those measured from the relevant conditions of the LiSN – Sentences test (LiSN-S; a test requiring knowledge of English) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. A second aim was to compare the ability of the two tests to detect spatial processing disorder. Design Participants completed audiometry, the LiSN-S, and the LiSN-U. Study sample 90 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged six to 14 years tested in a school setting. Results Strong correlations were found between speech reception thresholds in noise for the two tests. A moderate correlation was found between the difference scores that each test uses to detect spatial processing disorder. Consistent diagnoses of whether a child had spatial processing disorder or not on both tests were found for 72% of children. Conclusions The moderate-to-strong relationships and agreement between diagnoses found for the LiSN-S and LiSN-U show promise for the LiSN-U being used as a tool to investigate spatial processing disorder in children, without requiring the test to use a language familiar to the children being tested.