Acoustically controlled auditory training as an intervention option in central auditory processing disorder in severe/profound unilateral hearing loss

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To verify the effectiveness of the auditory training acoustically controlled in people with central auditory processing disorders and unilateral hearing loss from severe to profound.

Methods

16 individuals between the age of 13 to 21 diagnosed with unilateral hearing loss from severe to profound and central auditory process disorder has participated in this study, individuals were divided into two groups, consisting of eight individuals each, paired by age, sex and education. Eight of them – Experimental Group - underwent an individual Acoustically Controlled Auditory Training program consisting of eight sessions accomplished once a week. The remaining individuals - Control Group – there were no intervention. At the end of eight weeks, both groups were reassessed for Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potential (P300), and altered hearing abilities on the Sound Localization test, Synthetic Sentence Identification, Speech in Noise and Random Gap Detection Test.

Results

There were no influences of the hearing loss side in the initial assessment for any of the groups. In the final assessment there was an improvement in all abilities, decreased latency and increased amplitude in P300 only Experimental Group. Individuals with hearing loss on the right showed a greater increase in P300 amplitude. There were no changes in the Control Group.

Conclusion

The acoustically controlled auditory training was effective because it allowed an improvement of the auditory abilities and a modification in the neurobiological activity in relation to the auditory processing speed. This option it is suggested for intervention in people with a central auditory processing disorder and hearing loss.

Keywords:
Hearing; Unilateral hearing loss; Auditory perception; Evoked potentials, auditory; Rehabilitation