Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials Research Articles

Study of the peripheral and central auditory pathways in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis

ObjectiveTo investigate the peripheral and central auditory pathways in mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) individuals. MethodThe research sample comprised 15 individuals (one female and 14 males), aged 8 to 46 years. The following procedures were used: medical history survey, otoscopy, speech and pure-tone threshold audiometry, acoustic immittance measures, and central auditory pathway assessment with brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and long-latency auditory evoked potentials (LLAEP). ResultsThe pure-tone audiometry identified hearing loss in 13 individuals, and more than 90 % of the hearing loss was sensorineural. The degree of hearing loss was between mild to moderately severe with descendent configuration. Type A tympanogram predominated, and acoustic reflexes were present according to the types and degrees of hearing loss. Among the individuals with abnormal BAEP, longer wave III and V absolute latencies were the main findings. In addition, the unilateral absence of wave I was observed in two cases. In the LLAEP, longer latencies were observed in 14 individuals, and the most impaired components were the P1 and P3 in children and adolescents and the P2, N2 and P3 in adult individuals. ConclusionThe peripheral auditory pathway assessment revealed a predominantly sensorineural hearing loss, affecting mainly high frequencies, and in the central pathway was observed abnormal brainstem and cortical auditory processing in individuals with MPS.

Auditory central pathways in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease. Auditory evoked potential studies have demonstrated conduction and neural processing deficits in adults with MS, but little is known about the electrophysiological responses in children and adolescents. to evaluate the central auditory pathway with brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and long-latency auditory evoked potentials (LLAEP) in children and adolescents with MS. The study comprised 17 individuals with MS, of both sexes, aged 9 to 18 years, and 17 healthy volunteers, matched for age and sex. All individuals had normal hearing and no middle ear impairments. They were assessed with click-BAEP and LLAEP through oddball paradigm and tone-burst stimuli. Abnormal responses were observed in 60% of electrophysiologic assessments of individuals with MS. In BAEP, 58.82% of MS patients had abnormal responses, with longer wave V latency and therefore longer III-V and I-V interpeak latencies than healthy volunteers. In LLAEP, 52.94% of MS patients had abnormal responses. Although statistical differences were found only in P2-N2 amplitude, MS patients had longer latencies and smaller amplitudes than healthy volunteers in all components. Children and adolescents with MS had abnormal BAEP responses, with delayed neural conduction between the cochlear nucleus and the lateral lemniscus. Also, abnormal LLAEP results suggest a decrease in neural processing speed and auditory sensory discrimination response.

Evaluation of Subtle Auditory Impairments with Multiple Audiological Assessments in Normal Hearing Workers Exposed to Occupational Noise.

Recent studies involving guinea pigs have shown that noise can damage the synapses between the inner hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons, even with normal hearing thresholds-which makes it important to investigate this kind of impairment in humans. The aim was to investigate, with multiple audiological assessments, the auditory function of normal hearing workers exposed to occupational noise. Altogether, 60 workers were assessed (30 in the noise-exposure group [NEG], who were exposed to occupational noise, and 30 in the control group [CG], who were not exposed to occupational noise); the workers were matched according to age. The following procedures were used: complete audiological assessment; speech recognition threshold in noise (SRTN); speech in noise (SN) in an acoustic field; gaps-in-noise (GIN); transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and inhibitory effect of the efferent auditory pathway; auditory brainstem response (ABR); and long-latency auditory evoked potentials (LLAEP). No significant difference was found between the groups in SRTN. In SN, the NEG performed worse than the CG in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) 0 (p-value 0.023). In GIN, the NEG had a significantly lower percentage of correct answers (p-value 0.042). In TEOAE, the NEG had smaller amplitude values bilaterally (RE p-value 0.048; LE p-value 0.045) and a smaller inhibitory effect of the efferent pathway (p-value 0.009). In ABR, the NEG had greater latencies of wave V (p-value 0.017) and interpeak intervals III-V and I-V in the LE (respective p-values: 0.005 and 0.04). In LLAEP, the NEG had a smaller P3 amplitude bilaterally (RE p-value 0.001; LE p-value 0.002). The NEG performed worse than the CG in most of the assessments, suggesting that the auditory function in individuals exposed to occupational noise is impaired, even with normal audiometric thresholds.

Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Students Aged Between 8 and 12 years.

BACKGROUND Learning to read and write depends on the effective functioning of various sensory systems, including the auditory system. Auditory information processing involves behavioral and electrophysiological processes. Electrophysiological procedures are used to investigate activity in the auditory pathway in response to sound stimuli, and the associated cortical activity in discrimination, integration, and attention. The study evaluated electrophysiological testing for an auditory processing disorder and reading performance in 54 school students aged between 8 and 12 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 54 public school students aged between 8 and 12 years, who were divided into a study group and control group. All children underwent basic audiological assessment, rating of reading and writing ability, non-verbal intelligence, auditory brainstem response, long-latency auditory-evoked potentials (LLAEP), frequency following responses (FFR), and auditory training (AT). RESULTS The basic audiological evaluation showed a statistically significant difference between groups only for the frequency of 6 kHz. The LLAEP response had a statistically significant difference between groups for N1 latency, P300 latency, and amplitude. Finally, there was a statistically significant difference between pre-AT and post-AT to LLAEP for latencies of P2, N2, and P300 and amplitudes of N2 and P300, and to FFR for latency of wave C. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that electrophysiological tests are sensitive tools for identifying deficits in the auditory pathway. Moreover, latency measures can detect improvements from an auditory training program. In this way, an auditory intervention program might help children with reading and writing difficulties.

A longitudinal study of the peripheral and central auditory pathways in individuals with acute lymphoid leukemia

ObjectiveTo characterize the peripheral and central auditory pathways in individuals with Acute Lymphoid Leukemia (ALL) and compare assessment results before and during chemotherapy. MethodThe study included 17 subjects with ALL, divided into two age groups: 3 to 6 (11 individuals) and 7 to 16 years old (6 individuals). Each subject was evaluated twice (before and 3 to 6 months after chemotherapy treatment) with the following procedures: medical history survey, otoscopy, Pure-Tone Threshold (PTA) and speech audiometry, acoustic immittance measures, Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP) and Long-Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials (LLAEP). ResultsPTA was normal. Tympanometry was abnormal in the second assessment in 2 individuals aged 3 to 6 years. One subject in each age group had absent ipsilateral acoustic reflexes. In high-frequency audiometry, 1 individual had abnormal results. BAEP was abnormal in 5 (first assessment) and 7 individuals (second assessment) aged 3 to 6 years and 2 (first assessment) and 1 individual (second assessment) aged 7 to 16 years. As for LLAEP, P1 latency was increased in 5 (first assessment) and 7 individuals (second assessment) aged 3 to 6 years. ConclusionNo hearing loss was identified in the behavioral audiological assessment. BAEP was more affected in the 3-to-6-year-old group, with greater impairment in the lower brainstem in the first and second assessments. In LLAEP, P1 was the most impaired component in children aged 3 to 6 years, and P2 and N2 were so for those 7 to 16 years old, especially in the second assessment.

Long latency auditory evoked potentials and object-related negativity based on harmonicity in hearing-impaired children

Hearing-impaired children (HIC) have difficulty understanding speech in noise, which may be due to difficulty parsing concurrent sound object based on harmonicity cues. Using long latency auditory evoked potentials (LLAEPs) and object-related negativity (ORN), a neural metric of concurrent sound segregation, this study investigated the sensitivity of HIC in processing harmonic relation. The participants were 14 normal-hearing children (NHC) with an average age of 7.82 ± 1.31 years and 17 HIC with an average age of 7.98 ± 1.25 years. They were presented with a sequence of 200 Hz harmonic complex tones that had either all harmonic in tune or the third harmonic mistuned by 2%, 4%, 8%, and 16% of its original value while neuroelectric brain activity was recorded. The analysis of scalp-recorded LLAEPs revealed lower N2 amplitudes elicited by the tuned stimuli in HIC than control. The ORN, isolated in difference wave between LLAEP elicited by tuned and mistuned stimuli, was delayed and smaller in HIC than NHC. This study showed that deficits in processing harmonic relation in HIC, which may contribute to their difficulty in understanding speech in noise. As a result, top-down and bottom-up rehabilitations aiming to improve processing of basic acoustic characteristics, including harmonics are recommended for children with hearing loss.

Zumbido crônico: análise das contribuições clínicas de diferentes avaliações audiológicas

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate whether there are differences in peripheral and central audiological findings between individuals with normal hearing thresholds with and without chronic tinnitus, and thereby understand which hearing tests are most important in this population. Methods The sample was composed of convenience, including individuals from 18 to 59 years old, divided into two groups: Group 1 (G1) composed of subjects without complaints of chronic tinnitus, and Group 2 (G2) composed of individuals with chronic tinnitus. The evaluation consisted of the following procedures: Anamnesis, High-frequency audiometry (HFA), Transient Otoacoustic emissions (TOAEs), Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)-click, Frequency Following Response (FFR), and Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potential (LLAEP)-speak. Results G2 showed increased values for HFA, with significant differences. For both groups, TOAEs showed a predominance of responses. In ABR there were no statistically significant differences. In FFR, G1 obtained a greater amplitude of wave V and there was a greater absence in LLAEP of P1, N2, and P300 in G2. Conclusion The HFA, the analysis of the wave V/I ratio in ABR, the FFR, and the LLAEP identified alterations in individuals with chronic tinnitus, demonstrating that such procedures are promising in the evaluation of this population.

Auditory evoked potentials in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

BackgroundIn children, an acute demyelinating disease may evolve as a multiphasic disease with multiple relapses, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP) and Long-Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials (LLAEP) contribute to the identification of either retrocochlear changes or other central auditory nervous system (CANS) changes. ObjectivesTo characterize BAEP and LLAEP in children and adolescents with MS and NMOSD and verify the diagnostic values of these potentials in each of the demyelinating diseases. MethodsThe 40 participants were divided into two study groups (SG1 – MS, SG2 – NMOSD) and two comparison groups (CG1 and CG2), matched for age (9 years–17 years and 11 months) and sex. Electrophysiological hearing assessment was performed with BAEP and LLAEP. ResultsWhen SG1 and SG2 were compared with CG1 and CG2 regarding BAEP and LLAEP, both SG1 and SG2 presented a higher occurrence of changes. Also, individuals with MS had higher occurrences of BAEP changes, whereas individuals with NMOSD had a higher occurrence of LLAEP changes. ConclusionsBAEP and LLAEP in children and adolescents with MS or NMOSD showed higher latencies and lower amplitudes of some components when these individuals were compared with their peers. These procedures were highly accurate to identify demyelinating diseases. BAEP results were more abnormal in individuals with MS, while LLAEP was so with NMOSD. These findings indicate that the auditory evoked potentials are important instruments for the differential diagnosis of MS and NMOSD, and valuable to monitor disease evolution.

Measuring auditory cortical responses in Tursiops truncatus

Auditory neuroscience in dolphins has largely focused on auditory brainstem responses; however, such measures reveal little about the cognitive processes dolphins employ during echolocation and acoustic communication. The few previous studies of mid- and long-latency auditory-evoked potentials (AEPs) in dolphins report different latencies, polarities, and magnitudes. These inconsistencies may be due to any number of differences in methodology, but these studies do not make it clear which methodological differences may account for the disparities. The present study evaluates how electrode placement and pre-processing methods affect mid- and long-latency AEPs in (Tursiops truncatus). AEPs were measured when reference electrodes were placed on the skin surface over the forehead, the external auditory meatus, or the dorsal surface anterior to the dorsal fin. Data were pre-processed with or without a digital 50-Hz low-pass filter, and the use of independent component analysis to isolate signal components related to neural processes from other signals. Results suggest that a meatus reference electrode provides the highest quality AEP signals for analyses in sensor space, whereas a dorsal reference yielded nominal improvements in component space. These results provide guidance for measuring cortical AEPs in dolphins, supporting future studies of their cognitive auditory processing.

Isoflurane effects on the N1 and other long-latency auditory evoked potentials in Wistar rats

Long-latency auditory evoked potentials (LLAEPs) may help further advances in understanding consciousness under general anesthesia and promote more objective means of assessing sedation depth than conventional clinical signs. Among the LLAEP components, the auditory N1 shows promise as a measure of sedation depth and a marker of consciousness, but findings are so far inconclusive. Research with animals can help elucidate the effects of various anesthetics on the N1 and other LLAEPs, but investigations of LLAEPs under anesthesia in animals is lacking. To address this deficit, we examined the P1, N1, P2, and N2, along with their corresponding peak-to-peak complexes, in 10 Wistar rats anesthetized with 1.5–2 % isoflurane in pure oxygen and again after recovery. While under anesthesia, subdermal needle electrodes were inserted and secured for electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. LLAEPs were assessed during a 20-min, passive, two-tone (500 ms inter-tone interval) paradigm with randomized short (1 s) and long (5 s) inter-pair intervals (IPIs). Overall, while the LLAEP peaks under isoflurane were less defined, they were not eliminated. The peak-to-peak amplitudes, particularly the P1-N1, were significantly smaller under isoflurane than during post-recovery. Our preliminary findings indicate that isoflurane produces global suppression across LLAEP components, presumably reflecting impaired integration of top-down and bottom-up attention and sensory systems under profound sedation with isoflurane.

Neuronal plasticity of the auditory pathway in children with speech sound disorder: a study of Long-Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials.

To analyze the results of Long-latency Auditory Evoked Potentials (LLAEP) in children with Speech Sounds Disorder (SSD) after speech therapy. Longitudinal and prospective clinical study at 14 children with SSD, with ages ranging from five to seven years, of both genders. Were applied Picture Naming task and Imitation task, and from these tasks it was calculated the Percentage of Consonants Correct index. For an analysis of the LLAEP with speech stimulus and recorded the latency and amplitude values ​​of P1, N1, P2, N2 and P3 components. Each child was evaluated in two different moments: initial evaluation and after 12 sessions of speech therapy. It was observed that after twelve sessions of speech therapy the value of Percentage of Consonants Correct index increased, and a greater number of components were observed in the LLAEP records of children with SSD, as well as a statistically significant increase in the amplitude of the P3 component, demonstrating that anatomical and physiological changes occurred in the central auditory nervous system after intervention, resulting in improved of the LLAEP results. After speech therapy, improvement in the children's phonology was observed, and there was an increase in the number of components present in the LLAEP, as well as an increase in the amplitude of the P3 component, demonstrating that plasticity occurred in the auditory pathway during these three months of therapeutic intervention.

Long-term Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral Otitis Media and Myringotomy on Long-Latency Verbal and Non-Verbal Auditory-Evoked Potentials.

Introduction Otitis media (OM) is considered one of the most common reasons patients seek medical care in childhood. The fluctuating nature of hearing loss in cases of OM leads to irregular sound stimulation of the central auditory nervous system. Objectives To analyze the long-latency auditory-evoked potential (LLAEP) by verbal and nonverbal sounds in children with a history of OM in the first six years of life. Methods A total of 106 schoolchildren participated in the study, 55 females and 51 males, aged between 8 and 16 years, who were divided into 3 groups: the control group (CG), the bilateral experimental group (BEG), and the unilateral experimental group (UEG). All children underwent a complete audiological evaluation (audiometry, logoaudiometry and immitance testing) and an electrophysiological evaluation (LLAEP with toneburst stimulus – LLAEP-TB, and LLAEP with speech stimulus – LLAEP-S). Results Both study groups (BEG and UEG) presented a statistically lower performance ( p < 0.005) when compared with the CG regarding all of the electrophysiological tests with the prolongation of the latency values and decrease in the amplitude values: LLAEP-TB (BEG: latency - N1, P2, N2 [females] and P300, amplitude - N1 and P2), LLAEP-S (BEG: latency - P2 and N2 [females], amplitude - P2 /UEG: latency - P2 and P300, amplitude: N1 and P2). Conclusion Children who had suffered secretory OM in the first six years of life and who had undergone myringotomy for the placement of a ventilation tube, either unilaterally or bilaterally, presented worse performance in their electrophysiological responses to verbal and nonverbal LLAEPs.

Peripheral and Central Auditory Findings in Individuals with Williams Syndrome

Introduction: Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare neurodevelopment genetic condition. The syndrome may present manifestations associated with the central nervous system, hearing, and language. It is possible, as well, to observe an alteration in the central auditory system, which can be diagnosed through long-latency auditory evoked potential (LLAEP).&#x0D; Objective: The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the results obtained by peripheral and central auditory evaluation on individuals with WS, verifying if there is a relationship between audiological findings and gender, age and ear side.&#x0D; Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which 14 individuals with WS were evaluated. The exams performed consisted of pure tone audiometry, vocal audiometry, acoustic immittance measures, LLAEP, and cognitive potential.&#x0D; Results: The sample was composed of patients from 4 to 18 years old, with a mean age of 11.6 years old (±5.3), being 9 males (64.3%) and 5 females (35.7%). We mainly verified mild to moderate degree (40-44%) of sensorineural auditory loss (35.7-42.9%), type A tympanometric curve (57.1-64.3%), and absent acoustic reflexes (57.1%). As for central auditory evaluation, the subjects showed latency delay in all of the LLAEP components. Moreover, it was evidenced a statistically significant difference when comparing ears for amplitude on cognitive potential evaluation (p = 0.032), observing higher values at the left ear. It was also observed an inverse association between age and P1 wave latency both on the right (p = 0.006) and on the left ear (p = 0.022), and this result can be related to the nervous system maturational process of the WS individuals.&#x0D; Conclusion: There are few studies investigating the central auditory pathway on WS in literature. The present study contributes to the extension of the knowledge about the central involvement of the auditory phenotype in the syndrome. However, considering the sample size, more studies are suggested to confirm these findings.

Modulation of temporal resolution and speech long-latency auditory-evoked potentials by transcranial direct current stimulation in children and adolescents with dyslexia.

In recent years, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used as a safe and non-invasive method for children and adolescents with dyslexia. Our aim in this study was to investigate the effect of tDCS on variables of temporal resolution and speech long-latency auditory-evoked potentials with two electrode arrays on superior temporal gyrus (STG). A total of 17 children and adolescents with dyslexia (age 9-12years) were included in our study. All participants underwent the gap in noise (GIN) test and long-latency auditory-evoked potentials recording at baseline without applying tDCS, sham (placebo), and after 20min of exposure to two different tDCS polarities: anode of tDCS on left STG/cathode on the right shoulder and anode on the left STG/cathode on right STG to enhance left lateralization. Our results showed significant decreases in the threshold value and increases in the percentages of correct responses in the GIN test. We also found reduced latency and increased amplitude of the P1, N1, and P2 waves in two stimulation polarities compared with baseline and sham. Our findings indicate the potential role of tDCS on improving the characteristics of central auditory processing, especially temporal information processing in children and adolescents with dyslexia, and could introduce a new strategy to facilitate the rehabilitation of central auditory processing disorders in future.

Instituição de longa permanência para idosos: avaliando o processamento auditivo dessa população

RESUMOObjetivo: Avaliar as habilidades do processamento auditivo de idosos institucionalizados por meio de testes comportamentais e eletrofisiológico.Metodologia: Participaram do estudo 12 idosos com audição normal e perda auditiva neurossensorial simétricas, de grau até moderado em ambas as orelhas. Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos aos seguintes procedimentos: anamnese,inspeção visual do meato acústico externo,audiometria,medidas de imitância acústica,Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de Longa Latência (PEALL) e testes comportamentais do processamento auditivo sendo eles: localização sonora,memória sequêncial para sons verbais e não verbais, padrão de duração e dicótico de dígitos, realizados preferencialmente a 40dB NS. Para os PEALL pesquisou-se os valores de latência de N1-P2 e latência e amplitude do P300,realizados numa intensidade de 70-90 dBNPS.Resultados: A média de idade foi de aproximadamente 70 anos. A maioria dos idosos apresentou alteração em pelo menos um dos testes comportamentais. Nos PEALL a maioria apresentou valores de latência dos componentes N1 e P2 dentro do esperado para a faixa etária e alteração do P300.Conclusão: Constatou-se alteração das habilidades do processamento auditivo em todos os idosos institucionalizados.

Privação sensorial auditiva e sua relação com os potenciais evocados auditivos de longa latência

Objetivo: verificar se o tempo de privação sensorial auditiva de até cinco anos em indivíduos com perda auditiva neurossensorial de grau leve ou moderado pode influenciar nas respostas dos Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de Longa Latência (PEALL). Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, transversal e quantitativo. Foram avaliados 14 sujeitos, com idade entre 52 e 76 anos, com perda auditiva neurossensorial de grau leve ou moderado simétrico, que estavam na fila de espera de um programa de concessão de próteses auditivas e possuíam entre dois e cinco anos de privação sensorial auditiva. Para apresentação do PEALL foram utilizados estímulos verbais e foram analisados os potenciais N1, P2 e P300. Resultados: A média de idade dos sujeitos foi de 63,5 anos e do tempo de privação auditiva foi de 3,3 anos. Houve diferença entre o número de sujeitos normais e alterados para N1, sendo maior o número de normais, já para P2 e P300 não houve diferença. Ao comparar o resultado normal e alterado nos potenciais com a idade e tempo de privação, não houve diferença significativa. Conclusão: O tempo de privação auditiva entre dois e cinco anos em indivíduos com perda auditiva neurossensorial de grau leve ou moderado, não influenciou nos resultados dos PEALL.

Cortical maturation of long latency auditory evoked potentials in hearing children: the complex P1-N1-P2-N2.

The purpose of this study was to monitor the emergence and changes to the components of the Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials (LLAEP) in normal hearing children. This longitudinal study included children of both genders: seven aged between 10 and 35 months, and eight children between 37 and 63 months. The electrophysiological hearing evaluation consisted of analysis of LLAEP obtained in a sound field generated with loudspeakers positioned at an azimuth of 90°, through which the syllable /ba/ was played at an intensity of 70 dB HL. Each child underwent an initial evaluation followed by two re-evaluations three and nine months later. The emergence of LLAEP components across the nine-month follow-up period was observed. P1 and N2 were the most common components in children of this age range. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the occurrence of P1, N1, P2, and N2 components amongst younger and older children. Regarding latency values, the greatest changes overtime were observed in the P1 component for younger children and in the N2 component for older children. Only the P1 component significantly differed between the groups, with the highest latency values observed in younger children. LLAEP maturation occurs gradually and the emergence of complex components appears to be related more to the maturation of the central auditory nervous system than to chronological age.

Computerized Auditory Training in Students: Electrophysiological and Subjective Analysis of Therapeutic Effectiveness.

Introduction Computerized auditory training (CAT) has been building a good reputation in the stimulation of auditory abilities in cases of auditory processing disorder (APD). Objective To measure the effects of CAT in students with APD, with typical or atypical phonological acquisition, through electrophysiological and subjective measures, correlating them pre- and post-therapy. Methods The sample for this study includes14 children with APD, subdivided into children with APD and typical phonological acquisition (G1), and children with APD and atypical phonological acquisition (G2). Phonological evaluation of children (PEC), long latency auditory evoked potential (LLAEP) and scale of auditory behaviors (SAB) were conducted to help with the composition of the groups and with the therapeutic intervention. The therapeutic intervention was performed using the software Escuta Ativa (CTS Informática, Pato Branco, Brazil) in 12 sessions of 30 minutes, twice a week. For data analysis, the appropriate statistical tests were used. Results A decrease in the latency of negative wave N2 and the positive wave P3 in the left ear in G1, and a decrease of P2 in the right ear in G2 were observed. In the analysis comparing the pre- and post-CAT groups, there was a significant difference in P1 latency in the left ear and P2 latency in the right ear, pre-intervention. Furthermore, eight children had an absence of the P3 wave, pre-CAT, but after the intervention, all of them presented the P3 wave. There were changes in the SAB score pre- and post-CAT in both groups. The presence of correlation between the scale and some LLAEP components was observed. Conclusion The CAT produced an electrophysiological modification, which became evident in the effects of the effects of neural plasticity after CAT. The SAB proved to be useful in measuring the therapeutic effects of the intervention. Moreover, there were behavioral changes in the SAB (higher scores) and correlation with LLAEP.

Resolução temporal e potenciais corticais em diferentes níveis de proficiência da língua inglesa

RESUMO Objetivos: investigar e comparar as habilidades auditivas entre normo-ouvintes bilíngues estudantes de diferentes níveis de proficiência do inglês por meio de teste comportamental e eletrofisiológico. Métodos: este estudo tem caráter descritivo, quantitativo e transversal. A amostra foi composta por 39 sujeitos (alunos de escolas de idiomas: 13 no nível avançado (GA); 13 no nível intermediário (GI); 13 no nível básico (GB)), com idade entre 18 a 35 anos, limiares auditivos tonais dentro dos limites da normalidade e sem queixas de habilidades de processamento auditivo. Foram submetidos aos testes comportamentais: teste de detecção de gap (RGDT); e ao teste eletrofisiológico potencial evocado auditivo de longa latência (PEALL), com estímulos verbais (sílabas /ba/ - frequente - e /di/ - raro) Resultados: verificou-se diferença estatisticamente significante entre as orelhas para: o GB, para a amplitude de N1 e P2, com maiores valores para a orelha esquerda; o GI, para a amplitude de P1, N1 e P2, com maiores valores para a orelha esquerda, o GA, para a latência do componente N1, com maiores valores para a orelha esquerda, e, para as amplitudes dos componentes P2, N2 e P3, com maiores valores para a orelha esquerda. Entre os grupos, o teste RGDT mostrou menores valores para GA e para latência do componente N1, com maiores valores para o GB. Conclusões: pode-se concluir que o nível de proficiência avançado da língua inglesa estimula a velocidade de conexões neurais desencadeando a ocorrência mais rápida do potencial N1, assim a habilidade de resolução temporal é significantemente melhor à medida que o tempo de estudo aumenta.

Effects of methylphenidate on auditory processing assessment: a case study

Model of the study: case report. Introduction: The Auditory Processing Disorder (APS) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) show similarity for signs and symptoms, however are unique and comorbidities may be presented correlated. Importance of the study: APD and ADHD present similar symptoms and may be correlated, but there is a need for differential diagnosis between such comorbidities to improve the quality of life of the subject. Purpose: This study analyzed the results of the auditory processing assessment in a subject with attention deficit, before and after use of the Methylphenidate medicine. Methods: It was used a battery of behavioral tests of auditory processing and the LongLatency Auditory Evoked Potential (LLAEP) in two different moments, before and after pharmacological treatment for attention deficit disorder. Comments: Participated on this study a subject of 22 years assessed in the Audiology Clinic of a University Hospital, because reported comprehension difficulty of speech in noise. The clinical history showed perinatal complications (prematurity, low birth weight, remain in neonatal ICU) and attention complaints over the years. Results: The results tests showed that there was a subtle improvement in performance during behavioral assessment of auditory processing, as well as in the electrophysiological assessment after the medication methylphenidate. Conclusion: These results emphasize the speech therapists/audiologists about the need to consider the use of medication methylphenidate by the patient at the time of auditory processing evaluation, as well as therapeutic process