Random Gap Detection Test Research Articles

Central auditory processing in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia

BackgroundAutosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of rare and heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the presence of progressive cerebellar ataxia. Although the symptomatology of SCAs is well known, information regarding central auditory functioning in these patients is lacking. Therefore, we assessed the central auditory processing disorders (CAPD) in patients with different subtypes of SCA. MethodsIn a retrospective cross-sectional study, we subjected 43 patients with SCAs to otorhinolaryngological, audiological, Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEP) and acoustic immittance evaluations as well as CAPD tests, namely the Standard Spondaic Word (SSW) and the Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT). ResultsMost patients (83.7%) reported an imbalance when walking; many reported difficulty speaking (48.8%), dizziness (41.8%), and dysphagia (39.5%). In the audiometric test, 14/43 patients (32.5%) presented alterations, including 4/12 patients with SCA3 (33.3%), 1/8 patients with SCA2 (12.5%), 1/1 patient with SCA4 (100%), 1/1 patient with SCA6 (100%), 1/1 patient with SCA7 (100%), 3/6 patients with SCA10 (50%), and 3/14 patients with an undetermined type of SCA (21.4%). In the BAEP test, 20/43 patients (46.5%) presented alterations (11.6% na orelha esquerda e 34.9% bilateralmente), including 7/12 patients with SCA3 (58.3%), 5/8 patients with SCA2 (62.5%), 1/1 patient with SCA4 (100%), 1/1 patient with SCA6 (100%), 1/1 patient with SCA7 (100%), 4/6 patients with SCA10 (66.7%), and 2/14 patients with an undetermined type of SCA (14.2%). In the SSW, 22/40 patients (55%) presented alterations (2.5% in the right ear, 15% in the left ear, and 37.5% bilaterally), including 6/10 patients (60%) with SCA3, 3/8 (37.5%) with SCA2, 1/1 (100%) with SCA4, 1/1 (100%) with SCA6, 1/1 (100%) with SCA7, 4/5 (80%) with SCA10, and 8/14 (57.1%) with an undetermined type SCA. For the RGDT, 30/40 patients (75%) presented alterations, including 8/10 (80%) with SCA3, 6/8 (75%) with SCA2, 1/1 (100%) with SCA4, 1/1 (100%) with SCA6, 1/1 (100%) with SCA7, 4/5 (80%) with SCA10, and 9/14 (64.3%) with an undetermined type of SCA. In immittance testing, 19/43 patients (44.1%) presented alterations, including 6/12 (50%) with SCA3, 4/8 (50%) with SCA2, 1/1 (100%) with SCA4, 1/1 (100%) with SCA6, 1/1 (100%) with SCA7, 2/6 (33.3%) with SCA10, and 4/14 (28.6%) with an undetermined type of SCA. ConclusionsA majority of patients exhibited SSW test deficits, with a predominance of bilateralism, and three-fourths had impaired RGDT performance, pointing to difficulties with binaural integration and temporal resolution. Assessment of CAPD is important for therapeutic follow ups in patients with SCA.

Critérios de normalidade dos testes de resolução temporal: random gap detection test e gaps-in-noise

OBJETIVO: avaliar a resolução temporal em indivíduos audiologicamente normais entre 20 e 60 anos. MÉTODOS: 40 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, de 20 aos 60 anos de idade, divididos em quatro grupos etários contendo 10 indivíduos em cada grupo: Grupo I de 20 a 30 anos; Grupo II de 31 a 40 anos; Grupo III de 41 a 50 anos e Grupo IV de 51 a 60. Todos foram submetidos a procedimentos que fazem parte da rotina audiológica para caracterizar a audição periférica, e central com destaque nos testes de resolução temporal com tons puros, o Randon-gap-detection-test, e com ruído o Gaps-in-noise. RESULTADOS: os valores médios obtidos para o limiar de detecção de gap no teste Gaps-in-noise encontram-se em torno de seis milissegundos para os grupos 1 e 2 e de oito, nos grupos 3 e 4. Verificou-se limiar de detecção de gap obtido no teste Random-gap-detection-test com valor médio de 10 milissegundos para os grupos 1 e 2 e entre 10 e 15ms nos grupos 3 e 4. CONCLUSÃO: a habilidade de resolução temporal piora com o aumento da idade. Os valores de normalidade dos testes com segmentos de ruído (teste GIN - Gaps In Noise) e tom puro (teste RGDT - Random Gap Test Detection) são crescentes de acordo com a faixa etária avaliada.

O desempenho de idosos com perda auditiva neurossensorial nos testes de processamento auditivo: um estudo longitudinal

OBJETIVOS: verificar o desempenho de idosos nos testes de processamento auditivo na entrega do Aparelho de Amplificação Sonora Individual, após um mês de uso deste dispositivo e após o treinamento auditivo. MÉTODOS: o estudo foi realizado com 11 idosos, entre 60 e 79 anos, protetizados num Centro de Saúde. Todos foram submetidos aos testes Fala no Ruído, Random Gap Detection Test normal ou expandido e Dicótico de Dígitos na etapa de integração binaural em três momentos: na entrega do Aparelho de Amplificação Sonora Individual, após um mês de uso do mesmo e após as cinco sessões de treinamento auditivo. RESULTADOS: em relação ao sexo, 7 (63,64%) eram mulheres. A média de idade foi 71,27 (±5,33) anos. O tempo médio de uso diário do Aparelho de Amplificação Sonora Individual foi de 10,18 horas (±2,44) e o de privação sensorial foi 5,82 anos (±5,29). Todos os participantes aumentaram os escores nos testes de processamento auditivo gradativamente, obtendo melhor desempenho após o treinamento auditivo, sendo o comparativo entre os três momentos estatisticamente significantes (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: o processo de adaptação do Aparelho de Amplificação Sonora Individual bem como o treinamento auditivo proporcionou melhora no reconhecimento de fala com e sem mensagem competitiva pois refletindo o período de aclimatização após a segunda avaliação e o efeito do treinamento auditivo após a terceira avaliação.

Treinamento auditivo nas alterações do processamento auditivo: estudo de caso

O objetivo deste estudo é verificar a eficácia de um programa de Treinamento Auditivo comparando o desempenho inicial, nos testes de avaliação do processamento auditivo, com o desempenho após o treinamento auditivo. Para este estudo de caso, desenvolvido na clínica de Fonoaudiologia da Universidade de Passo Fundo, foi selecionado um indivíduo que apresentava alterações de linguagem, queixas compatíveis com alterações de processamento auditivo, avaliação audiológica básica normal e avaliação do processamento auditivo alterada. Para isso, foram utilizados os testes Pediatric Speech Intelligibility, Staggered Spondaic Word, Dicótico de Dígitos, Random Gap Detection Test, Masking Level Difference e Pitch Pattern Sequence. Os resultados obtidos na reavaliação com os testes de Processamento Auditivo após oito sessões de treinamento auditivo apontaram melhoras na decodificação e codificação que se encontravam alteradas, persistindo um leve prejuízo na organização. A evolução do indivíduo de grau severo para leve comprova a eficácia do Treinamento Auditivo.

Comparison of two tests of auditory temporal resolution in children with central auditory processing disorder, adults with psychosis, and adult professional musicians

Objective: Evaluate auditory temporal resolution threshold outcomes across three different populations. Design: Two commercially available tests of auditory gap detection (Random gap detection (RGDT) test, and Gaps-in-noise (GIN) test) were administered to all participants. Study sample: Adult professional musicians (APM) (N = 11, age range 28–61 years); children with central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) (N = 22, age range 7.5–17 years); and first episode psychosis patients (FEP) (N = 17, age range 18–48 years). Results: It was not possible to calculate a threshold for the RGDT for 13 of 22 children with CAPD and for 7 of 17 adults with FEP due to response inconsistency. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) excluding cases that produced inconsistent RGDT results showed that only RGDT thresholds differed across groups (F = 8.73, p = 0.001). Three t-tests comparing test means within group revealed statistically significant differences between the gap detection thresholds obtained with the RGDT vs. the GIN for each group. No significant correlations were seen between RGDT and GIN. Conclusion: Lower/better gap detection thresholds and smaller standard deviations were obtained using the GIN in all three groups. Lack of correlation between the two tests suggests that they may measure different processes.

Neural Adaptation and Behavioral Measures of Temporal Processing and Speech Perception in Cochlear Implant Recipients

The objective was to determine if one of the neural temporal features, neural adaptation, can account for the across-subject variability in behavioral measures of temporal processing and speech perception performance in cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Neural adaptation is the phenomenon in which neural responses are the strongest at the beginning of the stimulus and decline following stimulus repetition (e.g., stimulus trains). It is unclear how this temporal property of neural responses relates to psychophysical measures of temporal processing (e.g., gap detection) or speech perception. The adaptation of the electrical compound action potential (ECAP) was obtained using 1000 pulses per second (pps) biphasic pulse trains presented directly to the electrode. The adaptation of the late auditory evoked potential (LAEP) was obtained using a sequence of 1-kHz tone bursts presented acoustically, through the cochlear implant. Behavioral temporal processing was measured using the Random Gap Detection Test at the most comfortable listening level. Consonant nucleus consonant (CNC) word and AzBio sentences were also tested. The results showed that both ECAP and LAEP display adaptive patterns, with a substantial across-subject variability in the amount of adaptation. No correlations between the amount of neural adaptation and gap detection thresholds (GDTs) or speech perception scores were found. The correlations between the degree of neural adaptation and demographic factors showed that CI users having more LAEP adaptation were likely to be those implanted at a younger age than CI users with less LAEP adaptation. The results suggested that neural adaptation, at least this feature alone, cannot account for the across-subject variability in temporal processing ability in the CI users. However, the finding that the LAEP adaptive pattern was less prominent in the CI group compared to the normal hearing group may suggest the important role of normal adaptation pattern at the cortical level in speech perception.

Temporal resolution: assessment procedures and parameters for school-aged children

Temporal resolution enables the identification of fine differences in speech segmental aspects. Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) and Gaps-In-Noise Test (GIN) evaluate such skills, by using different acoustic parameters. ObjectiveTo compare the performance of normal school aged children without learning disabilities and/or hearing complaints in the GIN and RGDT, and analyze potential performance differences in these two procedures. MethodCross sectional contemporary cohort study. 28 children, aged 8-10 years were evaluated. After peripheral audiological evaluation, RGDT and GIN were performed. ResultsThere were no statistical differences in performance between gender and age on the RGDT and GIN tests, between the right and left ears on the GIN test, and between frequencies on the RGDT test. The mean detection threshold gap for RGDT was 9.25 ± 3.67 ms, and for GIN was 4.32 ± 0.61 ms (right ear) and 4.43 ± 0.79 ms (left ear). The results of the GIN Test were statistically lower than those from the RGDT (p < 0.001). ConclusionBoth tests indicated normal temporal resolution for all 28 children. GIN test presents advantages regarding the ease of application, task variable, stimuli and presentations form. However, the RGDT has advantages concerning the time required for administration and scoring.

Avaliação comportamental do processamento auditivo em indivíduos pós - traumatismo cranioencefálico: estudo piloto

OBJETIVO: verificar o desempenho de indivíduos pós-traumatismo cranioencefálico em testes comportamentais para avaliação do processamento auditivo. MÉTODO: participaram da pesquisa 10 indivíduos audiologicamente normais com histórico de trauma craniano. Foram submetidos a: audiometria tonal liminar, logoaudiometria, medidas de imitância acústica (timpanometria e pesquisa dos reflexos acústicos) e avaliação comportamental do processamento auditivo (Testes de Localização Sonora, Memória Sequencial Verbal, Memória Sequencial Não Verbal, Padrão de Duração, Dicótico Consoante-Vogal, Dicótico de Dissílabos Alternados, Identificação de Sentenças Sintéticas com mensagem competitiva, Identificação de Intervalo Aleatório, Índice Percentual de Reconhecimento de Fala com gravação, Fala com Ruído Branco). RESULTADOS: o teste de Padrão de Duração indicou o teste com o maior número de alteração (60%). O teste com a média mais satisfatória foi o Índice Percentual de Reconhecimento de Fala com gravação (93%) e a média menos satisfatória relacionou-se ao teste Dicótico Consoante-Vogal, com 40,56%. As inversões (70%) representaram a tendência de erros no Dicótico de Dissílabos Alternados mais frequente. O processo gnósico do tipo decodificação foi o mais predominante (100%), seguido da organização (90%), não verbal (60%), codificação-perda gradual de memória (20%). Não houve alteração no processo gnósico de codificação-integração. CONCLUSÃO: os indivíduos pós-traumatismo cranioencefálico apresentam transtorno do processamento auditivo de diferentes graus, envolvendo os processos gnósicos de decodificação e organização.

Self-reported hearing performance in workers exposed to solvents

OBJECTIVE: To compare hearing performance relating to the peripheral and central auditory system between solvent-exposed and non-exposed workers. METHODS: Forty-eight workers exposed to a mixture of solvents and 48 non-exposed control subjects of matched age, gender and educational level were selected to participate in the study. The evaluation procedures included: pure-tone audiometry (500 - 8,000 Hz), to investigate the peripheral auditory system; the Random Gap Detection test, to assess the central auditory system; and the Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap, to investigate subjects' self-reported hearing performance in daily-life activities. A Student t test and analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were computed to determine possible significant differences between solvent-exposed and non-exposed subjects for the hearing level, Random Gap Detection test and Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap. Pearson correlations among the three measures were also calculated. RESULTS: Solvent-exposed subjects exhibited significantly poorer hearing thresholds for the right ear than non-exposed subjects. Also, solvent-exposed subjects exhibited poorer results for the Random Gap Detection test and self-reported poorer listening performance than non-exposed subjects. Results of the Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap were significantly correlated with the binaural average of subject pure-tone thresholds and Random Gap Detection test performance. CONCLUSIONS: Solvent exposure is associated with poorer hearing performance in daily life activities that relate to the function of the peripheral and central auditory system.

Evaluación de la discriminación del habla y resolución temporal en un grupo de adultos mayores hispanohablantes

The present study aimed to explore a possible association between temporal resolution and speech discrimination in both quiet and noise in a group of older adults. Thirty subjects were selected for study purposes. All of them had absence of middle-ear pathology, diabetes, kidney failure, occupational noise exposure and neurological disease. Pure-tone audiometry, Random Gap Detection test (RGD), Maximum percentage of discrimination of monosyllables (MAX) and Hearing-in-Noise test (HINT) were carried out. Study group subjects were divided into two subgroups according to whether or not their hearing level was within normal ranges adjusted for age (ISO 7029). Significant differences for tests scores were found between groups. When the subgroup of subjects with normal-hearing thresholds was compared to the norms reported for RGDT and HINT, scores obtained by these subjects were below the norms. Clinical implications of these results and the role of temporal resolution in speech discrimination tasks are discussed.

Effects of sleep deprivation on central auditory processing

BackgroundSleep deprivation is extremely common in contemporary society, and is considered to be a frequent cause of behavioral disorders, mood, alertness, and cognitive performance. Although the impacts of sleep deprivation have been studied extensively in various experimental paradigms, very few studies have addressed the impact of sleep deprivation on central auditory processing (CAP). Therefore, we examined the impact of sleep deprivation on CAP, for which there is sparse information. In the present study, thirty healthy adult volunteers (17 females and 13 males, aged 30.75 ± 7.14 years) were subjected to a pure tone audiometry test, a speech recognition threshold test, a speech recognition task, the Staggered Spondaic Word Test (SSWT), and the Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT). Baseline (BSL) performance was compared to performance after 24 hours of being sleep deprived (24hSD) using the Student’s t test.ResultsMean RGDT score was elevated in the 24hSD condition (8.0 ± 2.9 ms) relative to the BSL condition for the whole cohort (6.4 ± 2.8 ms; p = 0.0005), for males (p = 0.0066), and for females (p = 0.0208). Sleep deprivation reduced SSWT scores for the whole cohort in both ears [(right: BSL, 98.4 % ± 1.8 % vs. SD, 94.2 % ± 6.3 %. p = 0.0005)(left: BSL, 96.7 % ± 3.1 % vs. SD, 92.1 % ± 6.1 %, p < 0.0001)]. These effects were evident within both gender subgroups [(right: males, p = 0.0080; females, p = 0.0143)(left: males, p = 0.0076; females: p = 0.0010).ConclusionSleep deprivation impairs RGDT and SSWT performance. These findings confirm that sleep deprivation has central effects that may impair performance in other areas of life.

Temporal resolution with click and pure tone stimuli in youngsters with normal hearing sensitivity

To assess the auditory ability of temporal resolution and to compare the random gap detection test (RGDT) versions with pure tone and clicks stimuli. Participants were 40 young individuals of both genders with ages between 18 and 25 years, and normal hearing thresholds for the sound frequencies of 250 Hz to 8 kHz. Initially, participants were submitted to the basic audiological evaluation. Then they underwent the RGDT with pure tone and clicks stimuli. Finally, we obtained the temporal acuity threshold, which corresponds to the shorter silence interval in which the patient perceives two sounds, for each type of stimulus, called final temporal acuity threshold for pure tones (mean of the thresholds obtained for 500 Hz, 1k, 2k and 4 kHz), and temporal acuity threshold for clicks. The mean temporal acuity threshold for the sound frequency of 500 Hz was 7.25 ms; for the frequency of 1 kHz was 7.25 ms; for 2 kHz was 6.73 ms; for the frequency of 4 kHz was 6.03 ms. The final temporal acuity threshold was 6.72 ms. The mean temporal acuity threshold for clicks was 6.43 ms. No difference was found between the temporal acuity thresholds obtained with pure tone and clicks stimuli. There is no difference in the performance of individuals on the auditory ability of temporal resolution, regardless of the auditory stimulus used.

Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) performance of individuals with central auditory processing disorders from 5 to 25 years of age

Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the auditory temporal resolution ability in individuals with central auditory processing disorders, to examine the maturation effect and to investigate the relationship between the performance on a temporal resolution test with the performance on other central auditory tests. Methods Participants were divided in two groups: 131 with Central Auditory Processing Disorder and 94 with normal auditory processing. They had pure-tone air-conduction thresholds no poorer than 15 dB HL bilaterally, normal admittance measures and presence of acoustic reflexes. Also, they were assessed with a central auditory test battery. Participants who failed at least one or more tests were included in the Central Auditory Processing Disorder group and those in the control group obtained normal performance on all tests. Following the auditory processing assessment, the Random Gap Detection Test was administered to the participants. A three-way ANOVA was performed. Correlation analyses were also done between the four Random Gap Detection Test subtests data as well as between Random Gap Detection Test data and the other auditory processing test results. Results There was a significant difference between the age-group performances in children with and without Central Auditory Processing Disorder. Also, 48% of children with Central Auditory Processing Disorder failed the Random Gap Detection Test and the percentage decreased as a function of age. The highest percentage (86%) was found in the 5–6 year-old children. Furthermore, results revealed a strong significant correlation between the four Random Gap Detection Test subtests. There was a modest correlation between the Random Gap Detection Test results and the dichotic listening tests. No significant correlation was observed between the Random Gap Detection Test data and the results of the other tests in the battery. Conclusion Random Gap Detection Test should not be administered to children younger than 7 years old because other reduced capacities might influence their performance. Also, Random Gap Detection Test assesses a specific auditory ability, different than the one evaluated with the other auditory tests. Finally, it is suggested to test individuals at only one frequency of the Random Gap Detection Test because results provide similar information than when assessing them on all subtests.

Polarity-Dependent Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Effects on Central Auditory Processing

Given the polarity dependent effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in facilitating or inhibiting neuronal processing, and tDCS effects on pitch perception, we tested the effects of tDCS on temporal aspects of auditory processing. We aimed to change baseline activity of the auditory cortex using tDCS as to modulate temporal aspects of auditory processing in healthy subjects without hearing impairment. Eleven subjects received 2mA bilateral anodal, cathodal and sham tDCS over auditory cortex in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Subjects were evaluated by the Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT), a test measuring temporal processing abilities in the auditory domain, before and during the stimulation. Statistical analysis revealed a significant interaction effect of time vs. tDCS condition for 4000 Hz and for clicks. Post-hoc tests showed significant differences according to stimulation polarity on RGDT performance: anodal improved 22.5% and cathodal decreased 54.5% subjects' performance, as compared to baseline. For clicks, anodal also increased performance in 29.4% when compared to baseline. tDCS presented polarity-dependent effects on the activity of the auditory cortex, which results in a positive or negative impact in a temporal resolution task performance. These results encourage further studies exploring tDCS in central auditory processing disorders.

Performance of Normal Adults and Children on Central Auditory Diagnostic Tests and Their Corresponding Visual Analogs

It has been suggested that, in order to validate a diagnosis of (C)APD (central auditory processing disorder), testing using direct cross-modal analogs should be performed to demonstrate that deficits exist solely or primarily in the auditory modality (McFarland and Cacace, 1995; Cacace and McFarland, 2005). This modality-specific viewpoint is controversial and not universally accepted (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], 2005; Musiek et al, 2005). Further, no such analogs have been developed to date, and neither the feasibility of such testing in normally functioning individuals nor the concurrent validity of cross-modal analogs has been established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of cross-modal testing by examining the performance of normal adults and children on four tests of central auditory function and their corresponding visual analogs. In addition, this study investigated the degree to which concurrent validity of auditory and visual versions of these tests could be demonstrated. An experimental repeated measures design was employed. Participants consisted of two groups (adults, n=10; children, n=10) with normal and symmetrical hearing sensitivity, normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity, and no family or personal history of auditory/otologic, language, learning, neurologic, or related disorders. Visual analogs of four tests in common clinical use for the diagnosis of (C)APD were developed (Dichotic Digits [Musiek, 1983]; Frequency Patterns [Pinheiro and Ptacek, 1971]; Duration Patterns [Pinheiro and Musiek, 1985]; and the Random Gap Detection Test [RGDT; Keith, 2000]). Participants underwent two 1 hr test sessions separated by at least 1 wk. Order of sessions (auditory, visual) and tests within each session were counterbalanced across participants. ANOVAs (analyses of variance) were used to examine effects of group, modality, and laterality (for the Dichotic/Dichoptic Digits tests) or response condition (for the auditory and visual Frequency Patterns and Duration Patterns tests). Pearson product-moment correlations were used to investigate relationships between auditory and visual performance. Adults performed significantly better than children on the Dichotic/Dichoptic Digits tests. Results also revealed a significant effect of modality, with auditory better than visual, and a significant modality×laterality interaction, with a right-ear advantage seen for the auditory task and a left-visual-field advantage seen for the visual task. For the Frequency Patterns test and its visual analog, results revealed a significant modality×response condition interaction, with humming better than labeling for the auditory version but the reversed effect for the visual version. For Duration Patterns testing, visual performance was significantly poorer than auditory performance. Due to poor test-retest reliability and ceiling effects for the auditory and visual gap-detection tasks, analyses could not be performed. No cross-modal correlations were observed for any test. Results demonstrated that cross-modal testing is at least feasible using easily accessible computer hardware and software. The lack of any cross-modal correlations suggests independent processing mechanisms for auditory and visual versions of each task. Examination of performance in individuals with central auditory and pan-sensory disorders is needed to determine the utility of cross-modal analogs in the differential diagnosis of (C)APD.

Estudo da audição em crianças portadoras de deficiência visual

OBJETIVO: analisar a audição de escolares portadores de deficiência visual (baixa visão e cegueira) e caracterizá-los quanto ao desempenho escolar. MÉTODO: anamnese e avaliação audiológica de 30 (100%) crianças de 8 a 12 anos, sendo 15 (50%) do Grupo I, constituído por portadores de deficiência visual e 15 (50%) do Grupo II formado por crianças com visão normal, sem queixas auditivas e/ou escolares. Foram realizadas meatoscopia, audiometria tonal liminar, logoaudiometria e imitanciometria; além dos testes de Localização Sonora em Cinco Direções, Memória Sequencial para Sons Verbais e Não-Verbais, Fala com Ruído, Dicótico de Dígitos, Padrão de Duração e Detecção de Intervalos Aleatórios (RGDT). Os pais e/ou responsáveis responderam questões sobre o histórico escolar. RESULTADOS: na avaliação audiológica básica, no Grupo I, 04 (26,6%) escolares obtiveram resultados alterados, sendo 02 (13,3%) com perda auditiva do tipo condutiva, 01 (6,8%) com perda auditiva sensórioneural e 01 (6,8%) com perda mista. No Grupo II, todos os escolares apresentaram resultados normais. Nos testes do Processamento Auditivo, verificou-se que o Grupo I obteve resultados semelhantes ao Grupo II nos testes de Localização Sonora, Memória Seqüencial para Sons Não-Verbais e Fala com Ruído. Nos demais testes, O Grupo I mostrou desempenho inferior ao Grupo II. CONCLUSÃO: o Grupo I mostrou-se com desempenho desfavorável em relação ao Grupo II tanto na avaliação audiológica básica, como na bateria de testes do Processamento Auditivo. O mesmo foi observado para o desempenho escolar, havendo no Grupo I maior número de repetências e dificuldades no aprendizado da leitura e escrita.

Auditory processing disorder in patients with language-learning impairment and correlation with malformation of cortical development

Malformations of cortical development have been described in children and families with language-learning impairment. The objective of this study was to assess the auditory processing information in children with language-learning impairment in the presence or absence of a malformation of cortical development in the auditory processing areas. We selected 32 children (19 males), aged eight to 15 years, divided into three groups: Group I comprised 11 children with language-learning impairment and bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria, Group II comprised 10 children with language-learning impairment and normal MRI, and Group III comprised 11 normal children. Behavioral auditory tests, such as the Random Gap Detection Test and Digits Dichotic Test were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney test, with a level of significance of 0.05. The results revealed a statistically significant difference among the groups. Our data showed abnormalities in auditory processing of children in Groups I and II when compared with the control group, with children in Group I being more affected than children in Group II. Our data showed that the presence of a cortical malformation correlates with a worse performance in some tasks of auditory processing function.

Limiar de resolução temporal auditiva em idosos

the Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) evaluates temporal resolution threshold. There are doubts as to whether performance in this task remains unchanged with the aging process. At the same time, there is a concern about how much the difficulties of communication experienced by elderly individuals are related to the deterioration of temporal resolution. to determine auditory temporal resolution threshold in elderly individuals with normal peripheral hearing or symmetric mild sensorineural hearing loss, and to correlate findings with gender, age, audiometric findings and scores obtained in the Self - Assessment of Communication (SAC) questionnaire. 63 elderly individuals, aged between 60 and 80 years (53 women and 10 men), were submitted to the RGDT and the SAC. statistical analysis of the relationship between gender and the RGDT indicated that the performance of elderly females was statistically poorer when compared to elderly males. Age and audiometric configuration did not correlate to performance in the RDGT and in the SAC. The results indicate that in the SAC both genders presented no significant complaints about communication difficulties regardless of the outcome obtained in the RGDT or audiometric configuration. the average temporal resolution threshold for women was 104.81ms. Considering gender, females did not present correlations between age and audiometric configuration, not only when considering the RGDT results but also when analyzing the SAC results.

Random gap detection test and random gap detection test-expanded: Results in children with previous language delay in early childhood

Objectives The children with difficulty in receiving sounds presented at rapid rates in speech sounds and language learning period, may have delay in speech sounds and language development due to hearing speech sounds not clearly. Auditory temporal processing (ATP) is the ability to perceive auditory signals of brief duration accurately when presented at rapid rates. ATP can be evaluated by the random gap detection test (RGDT), which detects a brief gap between two stimuli. In this study, we investigated performance of children with previous language delay (PLD), currently having disorders in more than one speech sounds, on random gap detection test (RGDT) and RGDT-expanded (RGDT-EXP) tests. Methods 12 children (8 male, 4 female) with previous language delay (PLD) and complaint of expressing speech sounds distorted, were included into the study. They had applied language training for at least one-year period in the past and in the current time, their language development is normal. They expressed one or more speech sounds as distorted. The control group consisted of 10 normal hearing children with normal phonological development and language matched for age; and who had not PLD (5 male, 5 female). Children language levels were evaluated by Preschool Language Scale-4 test; or Clinical evaluation of language fundamentals, fourth edition (CELF-4) according to child's age. Speech sounds development was assessed by Speech Sound Development Test (SSDT). They were applied RGDT and/if necessary, RGDT-EXP. Each child responded whether he/she heard one or two tones. Their responses were taken as verbally and/or hold up one finger or two fingers. In the second test, they were applied speech discrimination test in quiet environment and in noise. Gap detection thresholds (GDTs) were detected at 500–4000 Hz; and Composite GDTs (CGDTs) were found for the study and control groups. GDT/CGDT > 20 ms was considered as abnormal for temporal processing disorder. Results In the study group with PLD, mean of the GDTs were all over the normal limits; and in control group, mean of GDTs were all in normal limits. The difference between the mean GDTs of the study group were significantly higher than the control groups at all frequencies of 500–4000 Hz. In PLD group, CGDT (103.53 ± 11.63 ms) was significantly higher than that of the control group, (10.35 ± 0.65 ms) ( p = 0.021). Conclusion The children with PLD have difficulties in perception of speech sounds at a certain rate, even they have not language learning difficulties. Therefore, difficulty in distinguishing of speech sounds may cause especially receptive language development delay. We believe that perception of the speech sounds and language in a certain speed; and temporally degraded speech programmes should be incorporated into the training programme and may help to prevent delays.

Habilidades de ordenação e resolução temporal em crianças com desvio fonológico

OBJETIVO: verificar o desempenho de crianças com transtornos fonológicos em testes de ordenação e resolução temporal. MÉTODOS: a amostra foi composta por 12 indivíduos, de ambos os gêneros, com idade entre 5 e 13 anos, com diagnóstico de desvio fonológico. Os indivíduos foram submetidos à anamnese, meatoscopia, audiometria tonal via aérea e óssea, PCC (porcentagem de consoantes corretas), e o RGDT (teste de detecção de gaps) e o PPS (teste de padrão de sequência). RESULTADOS: em relação ao grau de severidade, verificou-se que 67% apresentaram desvio fonológico médio e 33% médio-moderado. Em relação aos testes RGDT e PPS, os sujeitos apresentaram respostas dentro dos padrões normativos estabelecidos pela literatura, em ambos os testes. Na comparação entre o desempenho no teste PPS e o grau de severidade, observou-se que quanto maior o grau de severidade, pior o desempenho do indivíduo no teste, o mesmo não foi observado em relação ao RGDT. CONCLUSÕES: a amostra estudada apresentou desempenho adequado nos testes de processamento temporal. Entretanto, os resultados evidenciaram que existe uma relação estatisticamente significante entre a severidade do desvio e o desempenho no teste PPS, demonstrando a influência da severidade do desvio no desempenho dos indivíduos, considerando a habilidade de ordenação temporal.