Speech in Noise Ability in Patients with Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPDs)

Abstract

Background: Central auditory processing disorders (CAPDs) tend to affect an individual’s ability to understand speech, especially in difficult listening conditions.Objective: To study speech-in-noise (SIN) ability in cases of central auditory processing disorders (CAPDs) subjectively by Arabic Hearing in Noise Test (A-HINT) and objectively by Speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (S-ABR) with ipsilateral noise.Patients and Methods: Subjects included in this study will be divided into 2 groups: a control group which included 30 normal hearing subjects (17 males and 13 females). Their age ranged from 6 to 17 years. All subjects had normal developmental milestones and normal speech development. The Study group included 30 normal hearing subjects (18 males and 12 females). Their age ranged from 7 to 16 years. These subjects had central auditory processing disorders (CAPDs) diagnosed by central auditory screening tests. Both groups were tested using Arabic HINT and Speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (S-ABR) with ipsilateral noise.Results: Comparison between control and study groups as regards the Arabic HINT revealed statistically significant differences in noise conditions. Using S-ABR significant difference was found in onset and offset response waves latency in noise conditions also.Conclusion: Patients with CAPDs have speech in noise ability affection proved by affected HINT in noise conditions and by delayed S- ABR with ipsilateral noise latencies in onset- offset responses.