Binaural Fusion Research Articles

ARIA treatment benefits are related to severity of dichotic listening deficits in children

This study investigated the relationship between dichotic listening (DL) benefits from treatment with Auditory Rehabilitation for Interaural Asymmetry (ARIA) and the severity of DL deficits quantified prior to the onset of treatment. We hypothesized that children with more severe DL deficits would demonstrate greater benefits following ARIA. A scale that quantifies deficit severity was applied to dichotic listening scores obtained before and after training with ARIA at multiple clinical sites (n=92). Using multiple regression analyses, we evaluated the predictive effects of deficit severity on DL outcomes. Results demonstrated that deficit severity can predict benefits from ARIA, as measured by improvements in DL scores in both ears. ARIA is an adaptive training paradigm for improving binaural integration abilities in children with DL deficits. The results from this study suggest that children with more severe DL deficits achieve greater benefits from ARIA and that a severity scale may provide important clinical information for recommending intervention.

Evaluation of Difference in Performance of Young Adults in Dichotic Digit Test in Tamil and Dichotic Consonant Vowel Test

Background and Aim: Dichotic listening has been defined as the simultaneous stimulation of both ears and has been used to evaluate a listener’s binaural integration/separation ability. Dichotic tests are available in various languages and use varied stimuli. The study aimed to evaluate the differential performance of Tamil-speaking young adults in two tests of dichotic perception namely Dichotic Consonant Vowel (DCV) test and Dichotic Digit Test in Tamil (DDT T). Methods: Sixty adults with normal hearing aged 18 to 35 years were the participants of the study. All the young adults were native speakers of the Tamil language without significant auditory history. DCV and DDT-T were administered in randomized order at 50 dB SL (re: SRT) in free recall condition. The participants were instructed to respond orally and the responses were noted. Results: Better performance was observed in dichotic digit compared to DCV test for all participants. This was attributed to the higher number of cues available in DDT-T. Further, error analyses of participants’ responses revealed that voicing errors were higher with the highest errors in the identification of unvoiced consonant /ta/ in both ears. The reason for this could be the lack of contextual cues in DCV test for Tamil-speaking individuals to interpret the voicing feature of a consonant. Conclusion: It can be concluded that DDT-T was more useful in assessing binaural integration ability of native Tamil speakers compared to DCV. It is recommended to be used in the behavioral test battery for evaluating auditory processing disorder in native Tamil speakers. Keywords: Dichotic digit; dichotic consonant vowel; free recall

Effects of frequency-to-place mismatch in children listening to simualted unilateral and bilateral cochlear implant configurations

Binaural cues are important for spatial speech recognition. While binaural cues can be partly restored by bilateral cochlear implants or a unilateral cochlear implant in patients with single-sided deafness, the benefits may be limited by frequency-to-place mismatch in both cases. Previous studies reported worse recognition of spatially separated speech as frequency-to-place mismatch increased in typical-hearing adults listening to acoustic simulations of bilateral cochlear implants (Thomas et al., 2022). This work also revealed that children were more sensitive to the spectral degradation and less able to use spatial cues for spatial speech recognition. The present study investigates the effects of frequency-to-place mismatch on binaural fusion in typical hearing children (7–9 years old) listening to acoustic simulations of bi- and unilateral cochlear implant configurations. The stimuli in the left ear were either unprocessed or processed by a 16-channel sinewave vocoder with a fixed insertion depth while the stimuli in the right ear were processed by 16-channel sinewave vocoders with varying insertion depth. Speech recognition threshold results from N = 10 children show an effect of interaural insertion depth mismatch upon speech recognition thresholds, with no differences by age. Comparisons with adult data will likewise be reported.

Age-Related Dichotic Listening Skills in Impaired and Non-Impaired Readers: A Comparative Study.

Dichotic listening is the high-level auditory process which enables the perception of different verbal stimuli delivered simultaneously to the right and left ears (binaural integration), as well as the perception of a verbal stimulus presented to one ear while ignoring a different stimulus in the other ear (binaural separation). Deficits in central auditory processing have been reported in children with learning disabilities. The present study aimed to compare dichotic listening performances in right-handed impaired readers (IR) and non-impaired readers (non-IR) according to age. For this, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 120 IR (56 males and 64 females) divided into five age groups and 120 non-IR (63 male and 57 female) matched on chronological age (8 to 9 years; 9 to 10 years; 10 to 12 years; 12 to 18 years; adult). They were tested for binaural integration and binaural separation, allowing for the calculation of dichotic aptitude (DA), ear prevalence (EP), and attentional shift index (ASI). A series of ANOVAs showed an effect of age and of the reading group for all the dichotic-related measures, except for EP. Binaural separation scores were lower in IR who also showed more intrusive responses compared to non-IR. These intrusive responses, which were more frequent on the right ear for IR, decreased with age in both groups. Overall, these results suggest that dichotic listening scores improve with age as the central auditory pathways mature. However, whatever the age, performances are lower in IR than in non-IR. This might be explained by an incomplete maturation of the auditory pathways in IR; an early start for long-term follow-up and auditory training is suggested.

AudBility: an online program for central auditory processing screening in school-aged children from 6 to 8 years old.

To analyze the performance of students aged between in an auditory skills screening software program, considering the influence of biological determinants and the correlation of auditory tasks with the behavioral assessment tests of central auditory processing (PAC), as well as to present the cutoff points of the battery. In the first stage, the sample consisted of 96 students with typical development, who underwent hearing screening at school. A self-perception questionnaire and the auditory tasks of sound localization (SL), temporal resolution (TR), temporal ordering of frequency (OT-F) and duration (OT-D), auditory closure (AC), dichotic digit- binaural integration (DD) and figure-ground (FG) were applied. Of these, 66 children participated in the second stage of the study, including basic and behavioral audiological assessment from PAC. The gender variable influenced the DD task to the right ear. Age influenced the outcome of five auditory tasks. The right ear performed better in the DD and OT-F tasks. At the age between 6 and 7 years, there was a correlation between screening and diagnosis in the tasks of AC, TR, DD, FG, and OT-F. At the age of 8 years, there was a correlation in the DD and OT-F tasks. The pass/fail criteria varied according to the task and biological determinants. There was a correlation between screening and diagnosis in a greater number of tasks in the age group between 6 and 7 years. The cut-off points for the auditory tasks should be analyzed according to age, sex and/or ear side.

Auditory Processing Intervention Program for school-aged children - development and content validation.

The study aimed at the development and content validation of an Auditory Processing Intervention Program for school-aged European Portuguese speaking children with Auditory Processing Disorder. The first step was the program's development and its instructions manual, which includes objectives, activities, procedures, materials, reinforcement, instructions, and verbal stimuli used, for the following auditory skills: auditory discrimination, auditory attention; auditory memory; auditory closure; figure-ground; auditory separation; auditory integration; binaural fusion; content validation was performed next, with two expert panels analyzing the program, through the use of a questionnaire. Content validity was calculated using the content validity index. Program evaluation shows an excellent content validity. Some items were modified after analyzing the experts' comments and suggestions (e.g. instructions, intensity differences, main character). This work allowed the development and content validation of an auditory processing intervention program, with verbal stimuli, selected according to strict linguistic criteria. In the future, the acceptability and efficacy of this program with the target population should be analyzed.

Desenvolvimento e validação de conteúdo de um Programa de Intervenção em Processamento Auditivo para crianças em idade escolar

ABSTRACT Purpose The study aimed at the development and content validation of an Auditory Processing Intervention Program for school-aged European Portuguese speaking children with Auditory Processing Disorder. Methods The first step was the program’s development and its instructions manual, which includes objectives, activities, procedures, materials, reinforcement, instructions, and verbal stimuli used, for the following auditory skills: auditory discrimination, auditory attention; auditory memory; auditory closure; figure-ground; auditory separation; auditory integration; binaural fusion; content validation was performed next, with two expert panels analyzing the program, through the use of a questionnaire. Content validity was calculated using the content validity index. Results Program evaluation shows an excellent content validity. Some items were modified after analyzing the experts’ comments and suggestions (e.g. instructions, intensity differences, main character). Conclusion This work allowed the development and content validation of an auditory processing intervention program, with verbal stimuli, selected according to strict linguistic criteria. In the future, the acceptability and efficacy of this program with the target population should be analyzed.

Habilidades auditivas em adultos jovens com e sem percepção de zumbido: um estudo de comparações

ABSTRACT Purpose Objective: To analyze auditory information processing responses in young adult subjects with tinnitus disorder. Methods A descriptive and quantitative study was conducted, involving 36 subjects aged between 19 and 35 years. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group 1 (20 subjects with chronic tinnitus) and Group 2 (16 subjects without tinnitus). All participants underwent medical history assessment, Visual Inspection of the External Auditory Canal, Pure-Tone Audiometry, Speech Audiometry, Acoustic Immittance Measures, and used Behavioral Central Auditory Processing Tests as an evaluation tool - Dichotic Digits Test (TDD), Frequency Pattern Test, Speech in Noise, Masking Level Difference, and Gap in Noise (GIN). Results Statistically significant differences were found between the groups for TDD responses in the left ear and for GIN in both ears. Conclusion Young adults with chronic tinnitus exhibit impairments in binaural integration and temporal resolution skills.

Stroke in children and adolescents: Analysis of electrophysiological and behavioral assessment findings of auditory processing

PurposeThis study aimed to analyze the auditory processing behavior of children and adolescents diagnosed with stroke and compare it with that of typically developing individuals. MethodsThis was an analytical cross-sectional study involving 48 participants aged between 7 and 17 years with adequate schooling for age and grade, allocated equally to two groups: Stroke (SG) and Control Groups (CG). For the SG, cases identified between 2003 and 2018 were considered. In the CG, school-aged participants with typical development were randomized. After screening for differential audiological assessment and confirmation of auditory pathway integrity at the brainstem level, binaural analyses of the auditory processing behavior were conducted using the Dichotic Digit Test (DDT), Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), and electrophysiological assessment (P300). The Shapiro-Wilk test for normality was conducted, followed by the T and Mann-Whitney tests, with a 95 % confidence level and significance offset at p < 0.05, using the SPSS software (IBM®, v. 22.) ResultsThe CG performed better in terms of auditory processing. These differences were significant (p < 0.0001) for the binaural integration of DDT, FPT humming and Labeling, and P300 latency. The P300 results were similar; however, with a greater amplitude in the SG. ConclusionThis study showed that children and adolescents with stroke performed worse in electrophysiological and behavioral tests of auditory processing assessed using the auditory evoked potentials. These data reinforce the hypothesis that stroke-related lesions compromise the neural mechanisms underlying auditory processing.

Central Auditory Processing Disorder in Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment.

This study was conducted to comprehensively examine the central auditory processing (CAP) abilities of patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) as well as to compare the results with cognitively normal elderly controls. A total of 78 participants were screened through pure-tone audiometry and word recognition score in order to exclude peripheral auditory dysfunction. Forty-five people passed screening tests, and 33 people failed. Finally, 25 aMCI (mean age = 71.52 ± 4.8; male : female = 24 : 76) and 20 controls (mean age = 73.45 ± 4.32; male : female = 45 : 55) were enrolled in the study. Seven CAP tests (frequency pattern test, duration pattern test, Gap-In-Noise© test, dichotic digits test, low-pass filtered word test, speech perception in noise test, and binaural fusion test) were conducted only after the two groups passed the screening. A linear mixed model was applied to analyze CAP tests except for the binaural fusion test. For the binaural fusion test, the independent t-test was used to compare the means of test score between two groups. The aMCI group had a decrease in the mean score of the frequency pattern test, duration pattern test, Gaps-In-Noise© test, dichotic digits test, and speech perception in noise test compared with the control group. The aMCI group's CAP abilities were significantly lower than those of the control group. Thus, if the cognitive assessment and hearing evaluation are conducted in combination, the sensitivity of the diagnostic process for aMCI will be increased.

Factors underlying masking release by voice-gender differences and spatial separation cues in multi-talker listening environments in listeners with and without hearing loss.

Voice-gender differences and spatial separation are important cues for auditory object segregation. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship of voice-gender difference benefit to the breadth of binaural pitch fusion, the perceptual integration of dichotic stimuli that evoke different pitches across ears, and the relationship of spatial separation benefit to localization acuity, the ability to identify the direction of a sound source. Twelve bilateral hearing aid (HA) users (age from 30 to 75 years) and eleven normal hearing (NH) listeners (age from 36 to 67 years) were tested in the following three experiments. First, speech-on-speech masking performance was measured as the threshold target-to-masker ratio (TMR) needed to understand a target talker in the presence of either same- or different-gender masker talkers. These target-masker gender combinations were tested with two spatial configurations (maskers co-located or 60° symmetrically spatially separated from the target) in both monaural and binaural listening conditions. Second, binaural pitch fusion range measurements were conducted using harmonic tone complexes around a 200-Hz fundamental frequency. Third, absolute localization acuity was measured using broadband (125-8000 Hz) noise and one-third octave noise bands centered at 500 and 3000 Hz. Voice-gender differences between target and maskers improved TMR thresholds for both listener groups in the binaural condition as well as both monaural (left ear and right ear) conditions, with greater benefit in co-located than spatially separated conditions. Voice-gender difference benefit was correlated with the breadth of binaural pitch fusion in the binaural condition, but not the monaural conditions, ruling out a role of monaural abilities in the relationship between binaural fusion and voice-gender difference benefits. Spatial separation benefit was not significantly correlated with absolute localization acuity. In addition, greater spatial separation benefit was observed in NH listeners than in bilateral HA users, indicating a decreased ability of HA users to benefit from spatial release from masking (SRM). These findings suggest that sharp binaural pitch fusion may be important for maximal speech perception in multi-talker environments for both NH listeners and bilateral HA users.

Differential Effects of Binaural Pitch Fusion Range on the Benefits of Voice Gender Differences in a "Cocktail Party" Environment for Bimodal and Bilateral Cochlear Implant Users.

Some cochlear implant (CI) users are fitted with a CI in each ear ("bilateral"), while others have a CI in one ear and a hearing aid in the other ("bimodal"). Presently, evaluation of the benefits of bilateral or bimodal CI fitting does not take into account the integration of frequency information across the ears. This study tests the hypothesis that CI listeners, especially bimodal CI users, with a more precise integration of frequency information across ears ("sharp binaural pitch fusion") will derive greater benefit from voice gender differences in a multi-talker listening environment. Twelve bimodal CI users and twelve bilateral CI users participated. First, binaural pitch fusion ranges were measured using the simultaneous, dichotic presentation of reference and comparison stimuli (electric pulse trains for CI ears and acoustic tones for HA ears) in opposite ears, with reference stimuli fixed and comparison stimuli varied in frequency/electrode to find the range perceived as a single sound. Direct electrical stimulation was used in implanted ears through the research interface, which allowed selective stimulation of one electrode at a time, and acoustic stimulation was used in the non-implanted ears through the headphone. Second, speech-on-speech masking performance was measured to estimate masking release by voice gender difference between target and maskers (VGRM). The VGRM was calculated as the difference in speech recognition thresholds of target sounds in the presence of same-gender or different-gender maskers. Voice gender differences between target and masker talkers improved speech recognition performance for the bimodal CI group, but not the bilateral CI group. The bimodal CI users who benefited the most from voice gender differences were those who had the narrowest range of acoustic frequencies that fused into a single sound with stimulation from a single electrode from the CI in the opposite ear. There was no similar voice gender difference benefit of narrow binaural fusion range for the bilateral CI users. The findings suggest that broad binaural fusion reduces the acoustical information available for differentiating individual talkers in bimodal CI users, but not for bilateral CI users. In addition, for bimodal CI users with narrow binaural fusion who benefit from voice gender differences, bilateral implantation could lead to a loss of that benefit and impair their ability to selectively attend to one talker in the presence of multiple competing talkers. The results suggest that binaural pitch fusion, along with an assessment of residual hearing and other factors, could be important for assessing bimodal and bilateral CI users.

Investigating the influence of auditory streaming cues on binaural pitch fusion

Binaural pitch fusion occurs when dichotic signals eliciting a different pitch are perceived as one sound. Previously, Oh et al. (ASA 2018) investigated the effects of auditory streaming cues on binaural fusion using a modification of the ABA streaming paradigm. A dichotic stimulus (fixed tone at frequency fref in the reference ear and variable frequency in the contralateral ear) was presented at alternating intervals with a “capture” tone at fref. Binaural fusion frequency range decreased, suggesting competition of the capture with the variable frequency tone for fusion. The present study added more capture tones, allowing for a galloping percept, and varied the inter-stimulus interval (ISI), both hypothesized to decrease binaural fusion by increasing salience of the capture tone. The dichotic stimulus was presented alternating with two or three repetitions of the capture tone at fref for triplet and quadruplet paradigms, respectively. ISIs of 40 or 80ms were used. Participants reported whether they perceived galloping or two streams. Preliminary data from 5 normal-hearing listeners suggest reductions in binaural fusion range with the triplet and quadruplet paradigms, and longer ISI, compared to the original paradigm. These findings indicate that auditory grouping cues may potentially reduce binaural fusion. [Research funded by NIH/NIDCD R01DC013307.]

The effects of interaural correlation and interaural place of stimulation asymmetry on binaural fusion

The combination of information at the two ears resulting in the perception of a singular auditory percept is referred to as binaural fusion. The stimulation received by bilateral cochlear implant (CI) users sometimes fails to foster binaural fusion. The goal of this study was to assess, for CI users, the extents to and manners in which interaural correlation of stimulation and the degree of interaural place of stimulation asymmetry affect binaural fusion. Bilateral CI users were presented with 1000 Hz pulse trains modulated by envelopes for which the interaural correlation was manipulated. Additionally, one electrode from one ear was paired with different electrodes from the other ear in order to manipulate interaural asymmetry. Listeners indicated the spatial diffuseness of the sound they perceived and whether they perceived a unitary auditory “image” by rotating a dial to manipulate a visual representation of their perception superimposed on a picture of a human head. Additionally, listeners could move the lateral position of the visual representations left or right, indicating perceived laterality. The results suggest that, independent of the degree of interaural asymmetry, the interaural correlation of the envelope was related directly to the degree of perceived binaural fusion.

Fusion and identification of vowels in the free field

Binaural fusion occurs when signals arriving separately at the two ears are perceived as one sound. Previously, Reiss and Molis (2021) showed that listeners with normal or impaired hearing fused and perceptually averaged dichotic vowels presented through headphones, especially vowels with the same fundamental frequency. To extend these findings to a more real-world listening context, the current study investigated if vowel fusion and averaging would replicate in the free field. Stimuli were good exemplars of /æ/, /a/, /u/ or /i/ synthesized with fundamental frequencies of 106.9, 151.2, or 201.8 Hz. On each trial, vowels were presented simultaneously via speakers located on the left and the right at ±60°. On test trials, vowels presented from the left and right were different; fundamental frequencies could be the same or different. On catch trials, identical non-exemplar vowels were presented from both speakers; these trials reduced the likelihood listeners would notice that different categories were presented on test trials. Listeners indicated which single vowel or two vowels they heard. Preliminary findings from normal-hearing listeners suggest there are fewer single vowel responses—fusion is decreased—in free field compared with headphone presentation. As demonstrated with headphones, vowels with the same fundamental frequency are more often fused. Results indicate that vowel fusion patterns previously observed with headphones can also be observed in the free field. [Work supported by NIH R01DC013307 and CSULA SPROUTS program.]

Temporary and Permanent Auditory Effects Associated with Occupational Coexposure to Low Levels of Noise and Solvents.

This study aimed to assess temporary and permanent auditory effects associated with occupational coexposure to low levels of noise and solvents. Cross-sectional study with 25 printing industry workers simultaneously exposed to low noise (<80 dBA TWA) and low levels of solvents. The control group consisted of 29 industry workers without the selected exposures. Participants answered a questionnaire and underwent auditory tests. Auditory fatigue was measured by comparing the acoustic reflex threshold before and after the workday. Workers coexposed to solvents and noise showed significantly worse results in auditory tests in comparison with the participants in the control group. Auditory brainstem response results showed differences in III–V interpeak intervals (p = 0.046 in right ear; p = 0.039 in left ear). Mean dichotic digits scores (exposed = 89.5 ± 13.33; controls = 96.40 ± 4.46) were only different in the left ear (p = 0.054). The comparison of pre and postacoustic reflex testing indicated mean differences (p = 0.032) between the exposed (4.58 ± 6.8) and controls (0 ± 4.62) groups. This study provides evidence of a possible temporary effect (hearing fatigue) at the level of the acoustic reflex of the stapedius muscle. The permanent effects were identified mainly at the level of the high brainstem and in the auditory ability of binaural integration.

Increased rate of listening difficulties in autistic children

IntroductionAuditory challenges are both common and disruptive for autistic children and evidence suggests that listening difficulties may be linked to academic underachievement (Ashburner, Ziviani & Rodger, 2008). Such deficits may also contribute to issues with attention, behavior, and communication (Ashburner et al., 2008; Riccio, Cohen, Garrison & Smith, 2005). The present study aims to summarize the auditory challenges of autistic children with normal pure-tone hearing thresholds, and perceived listening difficulties, seen at auditory-ASD clinics in the US and Australia. MethodsData were compiled on a comprehensive, auditory-focused test battery in a large clinical sample of school-age autistic children with normal pure-tone hearing to date (N = 71, 6–14 years). Measures included a parent-reported auditory sensory processing questionnaire and tests of speech recognition in noise, binaural integration, attention, auditory memory and listening comprehension. Individual test performance was compared to normative data from children with no listening difficulties. ResultsOver 40% of patients exhibited significantly reduced speech recognition in noise and abnormal dichotic integration that were not attributed to deficits in attention. The majority of patients (86%) performed abnormally on at least one auditory measure, suggesting that functional auditory issues can exist in autistic patients despite normal pure-tone sensitivity. ConclusionIncluding functional listening measures during audiological evaluations may improve clinicians’ ability to detect and manage the auditory challenges impacting this population. Learner Outcomes: 1) Readers will be able to describe the auditory difficulties experienced by some autistic patients (ASD). 2) Readers will be able to describe clinical measures potentially useful for detecting listening difficulties in high-functioning autistic children.

Binaural Integration of Spectrally Degraded Speech in Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients with Single-Sided Deafness

Introduction: Our purpose was to investigate binaural integration for spectrally degraded speech in normal-hearing (NH) subjects, single-sided deafness (SSD) cochlear implant (CI) recipients, and bilateral deaf bilateral CI recipients. Methods: We tested ten adult subjects in each group with a modified version of the binaural fusion test according to Matzker. Speech recognition was assessed for monotic listening with the better-hearing ear or CI, monotic listening with the poorer-hearing ear or CI, and dichotic listening. We employed two presentation modes: (1) low pass (LP)-filtered speech to the better ear or CI and high pass (HP)-filtered speech to the poorer ear or CI, and (2) LP-filtered speech to the poorer ear or CI and HP-filtered speech to the better ear or CI. Five magnitudes of LP and HP filtering, i.e., spectral degradation, for each presentation mode were applied yielding two spectrally overlapping and three nonoverlapping presentation conditions. Sentences from the Oldenburg Children’s sentence test were applied to assess speech recognition. Results: NH subjects, SSD CI recipients, and bilateral CI recipients were able to understand spectrally degraded speech under both monotic and dichotic listening conditions for both the presentation modes. Speech performance decreased with the increasing loss of spectral information in all the three subject groups. In the NH subjects, speech recognition scores significantly improved for dichotic compared with each monotic listening type under two spectrally nonoverlapping conditions. The SSD CI subjects showed a significant improvement in speech scores for dichotic listening compared with monotic listening with the NH ear under one nonoverlapping condition, i.e., a dichotic benefit in speech recognition with CI. We saw a dichotic benefit in the bilateral CI recipients who achieved significantly better speech scores for dichotic compared with monotic listening with the better CI in three nonoverlapping conditions. Conclusions: All the three groups (NH subjects, SSD CI recipients, and BiCI recipients) showed binaural integration for the side-separated presentation of spectrally degraded speech. Use of strictly side-separated dichotic stimulus presentation avoided the possible occurrence of physical effects such as the head shadow effect and therefore, confirmed the binaural benefit attributable to central binaural processing.

Relationship Between Central Auditory Processing Abilities and Working Memory During Adolescence.

Adolescence is a period of transformation in humans with changes in the neural physiology at subcortical and cortical levels. However, its significance on auditory processing skills and working memory skills and their association is yet to be well understood. Hence, the current study was designed to evaluate and establish the association between auditory processing skills and working memory abilities in adolescents. A total of 125 adolescents within the age range of 10 to 15years participated in the current study. All of them had normal hearing sensitivity and no associated obvious peripheral or central deficits. All the participants underwent auditory closure ability assessment using quick speech perception in noise test in Kannada, binaural integration ability assessment using dichotic CV test, and temporal processing assessment using gap detection test. Auditory working memory abilities were assessed using auditory digit span and digit sequencing. Spearman correlation was done to assess the correlation between auditory processing skills and working memory abilities. Results revealed a significant negative correlation between most of the central auditory processing abilities and all the working memory spans. Findings of the current study indicate that individuals with poor working memory abilities have difficulty in auditory processing abilities.

Relationship between Auditory Processing Abilities and Hearing Aid Benefit in Elderly Individuals with Hearing Impairment

Background and Aim: Cognitive and auditory processing deficits are seen in older individuals with normal hearing sensitivity. Studies on older individuals with hearing impairment have assessed the cognitive function and correlated with hearing devices benefit. Since auditory processing can also affect speech perception abilities, and there is a possible relationship between cognition and some of the auditory processing abilities, it is essential to assess the relationship between auditory processing abilities and hearing aid benefit in naïve and experienced hearing aid users in older adults. Methods: Fifty individuals in the age range of 51 to 70 years with mild to moderate hearing loss participated in the study. There were 30 participants without any hearing aid experience and 20 participants with hearing aid experience for at least six weeks. Their auditory processing abilities were tested using gap detection test, duration pattern test, speech perception in noise, dichotic consonant-vowel test, masking level difference, forward and backward span tests. The hearing aid benefit was assessed using aided speech perception in noise measures and International Outcome Inventory-Hearing Aids questionnaire in Kannada. Results: Spearman’s correlation showed only correlation between auditory closure ability and binaural integration abilities with hearing aid benefit in experienced users. There was no correlation between any other auditory processing abilities and hearing aid benefit. Conclusion: There is a correlation between a few auditory processes and hearing aid use in elderly individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. Keywords: Auditory processing abilities; hearing aid benefit; hearing aid users; working memory