Central Auditory Processing Research Articles

Temporal Auditory Processing, Speech Recognition, and P300 in Adults with Opioid Use Disorders Attributed to Tramadol

Background: Tramadol is a centrally acting opioid with an analgesic effect. Prolonged chronic pain management with tramadol and tramadol misuse may cause opioid use disorder attributed to tramadol (OUD-T). Evidence from pathophysiologic mechanisms of OUD-T raised the probability for central auditory processing abnormalities. Objectives: To our knowledge, no available studies evaluate the underlying pathology. Consequently, this study was designed to evaluate speech recognition, auditory temporal processing, auditory neurocognitive function in these patients. Materials and Methods: This work comprised a study group of 19 males with OUD-T and a control group of 19 participants, both with an age range of 20-40 years. All participants were subjected to (1) basic audiological evaluation, (2) psychoacoustic central auditory tests to assess auditory figure ground (speech intelligibility in noise) and temporal processing (Gaps-In-Noise and pitch pattern sequence), and (3) P300 neurocognitive potential. Results: OUD-T showed statistical significant depressed scores of speech in noise and pitch pattern sequence tests in comparison to the control group. In addition a statistically significant elevated GIN test approximate threshold and depressed total score was present in OUD-T. As regards P300, there was statistically significant difference between the control and the study group in latency and amplitude. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the importance of speech in noise, temporal processing, and neurocognitive evaluation in adults with opioid use disorder attributed to tramadol.

Behavioral tests used to assess central auditory processing in children - an integrative literature review

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a produção bibliográfica nacional da última década acerca dos testes comportamentais mais utilizados na avaliação do processamento auditivo central em crianças. Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura cuja questão norteadora foi: “Quais testes comportamentais são mais utilizados na avaliação do processamento auditivo central em crianças?”. A estratégia de busca foi: “(processamento auditivo) AND (testes comportamentais) AND (crianças)” e as bases de dados Oasisbr, BVS e SciELO foram consultadas. Foram selecionados estudos de acesso gratuito, publicados integralmente em revistas nacionais e internacionais, em português brasileiro ou inglês, com metodologias replicáveis e com descritores e temática pertinentes à questão norteadora. Foram excluídas revisões, publicações de opinião, relatórios de gestão, sites, políticas com indicadores, sistemas de informações e publicações repetidas ou duplicadas. A análise foi realizada por ambas as pesquisadoras e os estudos foram classificados como viáveis e inviáveis. Para a organização dos dados, foram elaboradas tabelas e planilhas no Microsoft Excel. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre setembro e novembro de 2021. Revisão da Literatura: inicialmente, foram localizados 64 estudos; mas, após a aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade, restaram 28 estudos, que foram lidos na íntegra. Conclusão: os testes comportamentais mais utilizados na avaliação do processamento auditivo em crianças foram: o Teste de Padrão de Frequência, o Teste Dicótico de Dígitos, o “Gaps in Noise”, o Teste de Fala com Ruído e o Teste de Logoaudiometria Pediátrica.

Behavioral evaluation of central auditory processing in climacteric women

RESUMO Objetivo Comparar as habilidades auditivas centrais de mulheres no climatério, com e sem terapia de reposição hormonal. Métodos Estudo observacional, realizado com mulheres no climatério, divididas em dois grupos, segundo o uso ou não de terapia hormonal. Foram realizados os testes de Localização Sonora em cinco direções; Memória Sequencial para Sons Verbais e Não Verbais; Padrão de Duração; Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT); Masking Level Difference (MLD); Dicótico de Dígitos; Fala Com Ruído Branco, e aplicado o Questionário Avaliação Informal de Fadiga. Resultados Houve diferença tendenciosa de melhor desempenho médio no grupo com terapia hormonal, em comparação ao grupo sem terapia para o teste de Memória para Sons Não Verbais. Nos testes de Localização Sonora, Memória para Sons Verbais, RGDT e MLD, o grupo com terapia hormonal apresentou resultados quantitativamente melhores. O grupo com terapia hormonal demonstrou maior porcentagem de mulheres com alto nível de fadiga. Conclusão Mulheres no climatério, com e sem terapia hormonal, apresentam transtorno de processamento auditivo central envolvendo as habilidades auditivas de localização sonora, ordenação temporal simples e complexa, figura-fundo, resolução temporal e interação binaural. No entanto, as mulheres do grupo com terapia hormonal apresentam melhor desempenho em ordenação temporal simples.

Central auditory processing skills and speaker comparison in forensic analysis

RESUMO Objetivo descrever quais são as habilidades auditivas do processamento auditivo central mais frequentes, relatadas por um grupo de especialistas para a realização do exame de Comparação de Locutor, tradicionalmente realizado por peritos forenses. Métodos estudo prospectivo, descritivo, com análise quantitativa e qualitativa. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de um consenso de especialistas. Participaram da reunião cinco fonoaudiólogos, sendo dois especialistas em audiologia, dois especialistas em voz e uma fonoaudióloga perita. A reunião foi realizada de forma virtual e síncrona, com duração de uma hora e 30 minutos. As tarefas realizadas durante o exame de Comparação de Locutor foram consideradas a partir de um protocolo disponível na literatura. As especialistas em fonoaudiologia receberam explicações a respeito de cada uma das tarefas e foram solicitadas a discutir sobre quais as habilidades do processamento auditivo central estariam envolvidas na execução de cada uma delas. Resultados sete habilidades foram consideradas na reunião dos especialistas como imprescindíveis para as tarefas realizadas no exame de Comparação de Locutor. A ordenação temporal foi a habilidade mais citada, podendo estar presente em seis tarefas, e a tarefa de transcrição do material de fala foi mencionada como sendo a que necessita de mais habilidades do processamento auditivo central. Conclusão Sete habilidades foram consideradas na reunião dos especialistas como imprescindíveis para as tarefas realizadas no exame de Comparação de Locutor. A ordenação temporal foi a habilidade mais citada, podendo estar presente em seis tarefas e a tarefa de transcrição do material de fala foi mencionada como sendo a que necessita de mais habilidades do processamento auditivo central

Treinamento auditivo cognitivo em sujeitos após COVID-19: uma análise dos efeitos da intervenção em adultos

ABSTRACT Purpose To analyze the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention plan through an existing cognitive auditory training program, adapted for adults, after one year of COVID-19 infection. Methods 13 subjects, between 18 and 59 years old, four males and nine females participated in the study. All underwent anamnesis, visual inspection of the external acoustic meatus, pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry and acoustic immitance measurements as selection procedures. For the research, the following procedures were carried out in the evaluation and reassessment: evaluation of central auditory processing, brief neuropsychological evaluation - NEUPSILIN, Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale and the Cognitive Potential - P300 with speech stimulus. Cognitive auditory training was carried out in six consecutive sessions, in an open field, lasting approximately 50 minutes. In all analyses, a significance level of 5% (p≤0.05) was considered. Results When comparing the variables between the periods, pre and post intervention, there was a statistically significant difference in the Dichotic Digit Test (p = 0.009), in the Frequency Pattern Test (p = 0.020) and in Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (p = 0.001). And a tendency to significance (p < 0.10) in the Gap in Noise test and Total Attention. Conclusion Cognitive auditory training proved to be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of adults with speech comprehension and cognition complaints after COVID-19 infection.

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.

Speech intelligibility in adults after the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19)

The research was aimed to assess speech intelligibility in adults after the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), state of peripheral and central parts of auditory system and cognitive functions. 26 people complaining about hearing loss, poor speech intelligibility and/or tinnitus after COVID-19 were examined. All the patients underwent the basic audiological assessment before COVID-19. Extended testing in patients after COVID-19 included: pure tone audiometry, impedancemetry, speech audiometry in quiet and noise (evaluation of monosyllabic words intelligibility and the Russian matrix sentence test RuMatrix), the alternating binaural speech test, the dichotic digits test and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The most significant deviations from the normative values were obtained in the RuMatrix test and the dichotic digits test that may be due to both central auditory processing disorder and memory impairment. Low MoCA scores were obtained in 62% of patients. Deterioration of speech intelligibility after COVID-19 was revealed, both in patients with hearing loss and with normal hearing that corresponded to their complaints. It may be caused by central auditory disorder, memory impairment or cognitive status lesion. The correlation found between the results of the RuMatrix test in noise and the severity of the COVID-19 may indicate the impact of the virus on the auditory cortex.

Hidden Hearing Loss: Causes, Current Knowledge, and Future Directions

Introduction: Hidden hearing loss (HHL) is a type of auditory disorder that affects the auditory neural processing and hearing sensitivity in subjects with normal hearing thresholds. Unlike central auditory processing disorders, HHL happens when the cochlea (the peripheral auditory organ) is affected. There are several known risk factors to HHL which includes noise exposure, ototoxic drugs, and peripheral neuropathies, and age. Recent studies have shed light on this type of hearing loss, its etiology, prevalence, and how it can affect the auditory acuity in humans. Methods: This paper covers the current research regarding HHL, its causes, the different mechanisms involved in this disorder, and the diagnosis and potential treatments related to it. We will delve deeply into different researches concerning HHL. 4 articles from 285 were selected focusing on normal hearing individuals with bad speech intelligibility were discussed in this paper. In addition, articles discussing the effects of noise exposure on hearing impaired individuals were not considered as this study solely aims to focus on normal hearing sensitivity individuals with HHL, resulting in 4 articles from 285. Results: Numerous literatures over the decades have suggested that HHL is due to the degeneration of cochlear ribbon synapses, or hair cells synapses without hair cell damage. Their association with HHL was noted several times through this study, whether we were studying the effect of noise exposure, of age, or of ototoxicity. In all cases, no significant hair cell damage was observed, and normal thresholds were recovered. However, a decline in the amplitude of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) peak I from auditory nerve (AN) responses in noise exposed subjects and a decline in compound action potential (CAP) was measured when certain drugs were applied to the round window of Guinea pigs. Conclusion: Most studies, have proven that cochlear synaptophysin is the major contributor to noise induced, age, and ototoxic related HHL. There are several audiometric tests that were used to help identify HHL including Puretone audiometry in background noise, ABR, CAP, Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE).

Central Auditory Processing and the Relationship to Perceived Hearing Difficulty: The Jackson Heart Study.

Central Auditory Processing and the Relationship to Perceived Hearing Difficulty: The Jackson Heart Study.

Letter to the Editor on Central Auditory Processing and the Relationship to Perceived Hearing Difficulty: The Jackson Heart Study (Shepherd et al., 2022).

Letter to the Editor on Central Auditory Processing and the Relationship to Perceived Hearing Difficulty: The Jackson Heart Study (Shepherd et al., 2022).

Assessment of Hearing and Vestibular Functions in a Post-COVID-19 Patient: A Clinical Case Study

SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause such complications as post-COVID-19 syndrome, which includes chronic fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, as well as a variety of neurological manifestations, e.g., neuropathy of small fibers, hearing and vestibular dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. This clinical case describes a 41-year-old patient suffering from post-COVID-19 syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. A detailed examination was performed, including an in-depth study of peripheral and central hearing and vestibular functions, as well as small nerve fibers length and density in the skin and cornea of the eye. Contrary to expectations, no peripheral nervous system dysfunction was detected, despite the presence of dizziness and gait instability in the patient. Hearing tests (gap detection test and dichotic test) showed central auditory processing disorders. The evaluated lesion in the processing of temporal and verbal auditory information can be a significant factor contributing to additional overload of the neural activity and leading to chronic fatigue when performing daily activities in patients with CFS and post-COVID-19 complications.

Ośrodkowe zaburzenia przetwarzania słuchowego u dzieci w wieku szkolnym w świetle uczenia (się) języka angielskiego

Central auditory processing disorders are defined as deficits in the neural processing of auditory information in the central auditory nervous system with simultaneous normal hearing. Due to the inappropriate reception of speech sounds and difficulties in their understanding and reproduction, pupils may have difficulties in learning language, e.g. in earning and remembering vocabulary and pronouncing words correctly which may cause incorrect communication result or even lack of it. It is also worth mentioning that a great number of parents report difficulties in learning foreign language/languages in their children with central auditory processing disorders, especially English. Additionally, there are few studies discussing the topic of learning and teaching a second language among students with central auditory processing disorders. This paper aims to provide the importance and brief characteristics of central auditory processing disorders, as well as a review of the literature and results of questionnaire (about the foreign language learning difficulties) performed in 16 parents whose children were qualified to the listening training.

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.

Clinical Application of the Persian Version of Buffalo Model Questionnaire by examining Its correlation with the Buffalo Model Test Battery

Background and Aim: The Buffalo Model Questionnaire (BMQ) has been proposed for the screening, helping to diagnose and also monitoring the effect of rehabilitation on the improvement of Central Auditory Processing Disorder ((C)APD). In this regard, the applicability and accuracy of Persian-BMQ (P-BMQ) are evaluated by examining the correlation between the results of this questionnaire and the Buffalo model test battery. Methods: Overall, 254 children, normal and with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) aged between 7–12 years old participated in this cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was completed by the parents of children who were subjected to the Buffalo model test battery evaluations. Results: In the normal group, the highest correlation (0.648) was shown between the Decoding (D) component of the P-BMQ with the Row Staggered Spondaic Word (RSSW) variable. In the SLD group, the highest correlation (0.318) was shown between the Variance-tolerance fading memory (V) component of the P-BMQ and the qualitative Persian version of the Phonemic Sentence Test (P-PST) variable. The highest correlation was considered to be between the D component of the P-BMQ with the Right Competitive word, started in the Left ear (RC-LEF) variable in the SSW test (0.498), and qualitative P-PST variable (0.471); and 0.360 between the V component of the P-BMQ and Persian version of the Speech in Noise with S/N=4 in the Left ear (P-SIN4L) of variable in the P-SIN test. Conclusion: P-BMQ is a useful screening tool complementing the Persian Buffalo model test battery for evaluating auditory processing evaluation in children. Keywords: Central auditory processing disorder; specific learning disorder; Buffalo model questionnaire

Liver Fibrosis and Hearing Loss in an Older Mediterranean Population: Results from the Salus in Apulia Study.

Aging is the main negative prognostic factor for various chronic diseases, such as liver fibrosis, and clinical disorders such as hearing loss. This study aimed to investigate the association between age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and age-related central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), and the risk for liver fibrosis in a cross-sectional study on an aging population. Liver fibrosis risk was judged on the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score. Peripheral ARHL was evaluated with pure tone audiometry using a calibrated audiometer. The pure tone average (PTA), calculated as a threshold ≤ 40 dB (HL) in the better ear, was measured at the frequencies 0.5-4 kHz. For age-related CAPD assessment, we employed the Synthetic Sentence Identification with an Ipsilateral Competitive Message test (SSI-ICM). General linear Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association. The increase in the PTA 0.5-2 kHz (coefficient: 0.02, SE: 0.01, CI 95%: 0.01 to 0.03) was directly associated with a higher risk of liver fibrosis (FIB-4 ≥ 2.67). Moreover, the reduction in SSI (coefficient: -0.02, SE: 0.01, CI 95%: -0.03 to -0.01) was inversely associated with FIB-4 values < 2.67. Our results show an association between liver fibrosis and both ARHL and CAPD, linked by the typical consequence of aging. We also assume a role of inflammatory responses and oxidative stress.

Monoallelic loss of the F-actin-binding protein radixin facilitates startle reactivity and pre-pulse inhibition in mice.

Hearing impairment is one of the most common disorders with a global burden and increasing prevalence in an ever-aging population. Previous research has largely focused on peripheral sensory perception, while the brain circuits of auditory processing and integration remain poorly understood. Mutations in the rdx gene, encoding the F-actin binding protein radixin (Rdx), can induce hearing loss in human patients and homozygous depletion of Rdx causes deafness in mice. However, the precise physiological function of Rdx in hearing and auditory information processing is still ill-defined. Here, we investigated consequences of rdx monoallelic loss in the mouse. Unlike the homozygous (-/-) rdx knockout, which is characterized by the degeneration of actin-based stereocilia and subsequent hearing loss, our analysis of heterozygous (+/-) mutants has revealed a different phenotype. Specifically, monoallelic loss of rdx potentiated the startle reflex in response to acoustic stimulation of increasing intensities, suggesting a gain of function relative to wildtype littermates. The monoallelic loss of the rdx gene also facilitated pre-pulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex induced by weak auditory pre-pulse stimuli, indicating a modification to the circuit underlying sensorimotor gating of auditory input. However, the auditory brainstem response (ABR)-based hearing thresholds revealed a mild impairment in peripheral sound perception in rdx (+/-) mice, suggesting minor aberration of stereocilia structural integrity. Taken together, our data suggest a critical role of Rdx in the top-down processing and/or integration of auditory signals, and therefore a novel perspective to uncover further Rdx-mediated mechanisms in central auditory information processing.

Relationship Between Temporal Pattern Perception Test and Mismatch Negativity in Children With Auditory Processing Disorder and Dyslexia.

Mismatch negativity (MMN) is an objective test for assessing auditory function. The central auditory nervous system processes different stimuli in various ways. This can be assessed using MMN elicited with different stimuli in an "oddball" paradigm. This study evaluated temporal ordering skills using MMN with different durations of stimuli. This study aimed to determine the correlation between the results of the behavioral duration pattern test (DPT) with MMN in typically developing children versus children with dyslexia and auditory processing disorder (APD). Subjects and. Two groups of children participated in the study. The experimental group included 16 children with APD and dyslexia who had scored below the age-matched scores in the DPT. The control group consisted of 16 typically developing children with age-matched scores in the DPT. MMN was elicited using the same stimuli (250 ms and 500 ms) as that of the DPT in both groups. MMN latency, MMN amplitude, and area under the curve were measured in both groups. Compared to the control group, children with APD and dyslexia showed increased MMN latency, reduced amplitude, and decreased area under the curve. There was a low correlation (r= -0.293, p<0.05) between MMN latency and DPT scores. The correlation between MMN amplitude and DPT scores was moderate (0.472, p<0.001). Furthermore, a strong correlation (0.536, p<0.001) between area under the curve and DPT scores was demonstrated. MMN amplitude and MMN area under the curve could serve as valid indicators during assessment of temporal ordering in children with APD and dyslexia.

Modulation of auditory temporal processing, speech in noise perception, auditory-verbal memory, and reading efficiency by anodal tDCS in children with dyslexia

Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is prevalent in children. It is estimated that 30–50% of individuals diagnosed with dyslexia also manifest an auditory perceptual deficit characteristic of auditory processing disorder (APD). Some studies suggest that defects in basic auditory processing can lead to phonological defects as the most prominent cause of dyslexia. Thus, in some cases, there may be interrelationships between dyslexia and some of the aspects of central auditory processing. In recent years, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used as a safe method for the modulation of central auditory processing aspects in healthy adults and reading skills in children with dyslexia. Therefore, the objectives of our study were to investigate the effect of tDCS on the modulation of different aspects of central auditory processing, aspects of reading, and the relationship between these two domains in dyslexic children with APD. A within-subjects design was employed to investigate the effect of two electrode arrays (the anode on the left STG (AC)/cathode on the right shoulder and anode on the left STG/cathode on the right STG) on auditory temporal processing; speech-in-noise perception, short-term auditory memory; and high-frequency word, low-frequency word, pseudoword, and text reading. The results of this clinical trial showed the modulation of the studied variables in central auditory processing and the accuracy and speed of reading variables compared to the control and sham statuses in both electrode arrays. Our results also showed that the improvement of the accuracy and speed of text reading, as well as the accuracy of pseudoword reading were related to the improvement of speech in noise perception and temporal processing. The results of this research can be effective in clarifying the basis of the neurobiology of dyslexia and, in particular, the hypothesis of the role of basic auditory processing and subsequently the role of the auditory cortex in dyslexia. These results might provide a framework to facilitate behavioral rehabilitation in dyslexic children with APD.

Clinical and biochemical footprints of inherited metabolic diseases. IX. Metabolic ear disease.

Damages to the ear are very diverse and can depend on the type of inherited metabolic diseases (IMD). Indeed, IMDs can affect all parts of the auditory system, from the outer ear to the central auditory process. We have identified 219 IMDs associated with various types of ear involvement which we classified into five groups according to the lesion site of the auditory system: congenital external ear abnormalities, acquired external ear abnormalities, middle ear involvement, inner ear or retrocochlear involvement, and unspecified hearing loss. This represents the ninth issue in a series of educational summaries providing a comprehensive and updated list of metabolic differential diagnoses according to system involvement.

Neural correlates of concurrent sound perception: A review and guidelines for future research

The perception of concurrent sound sources depends on processes (i.e., auditory scene analysis) that fuse and segregate acoustic features according to harmonic relations, temporal coherence, and binaural cues (encompass dichotic pitch, location difference, simulated echo). The object-related negativity (ORN) and P400 are electrophysiological indices of concurrent sound perception. Here, we review the different paradigms used to study concurrent sound perception and the brain responses obtained from these paradigms. Recommendations regarding the design and recording parameters of the ORN and P400 are made, and their clinical applications in assessing central auditory processing ability in different populations are discussed.