PURPOSE: to evaluate the auditory processing in elderly through temporal resolution (Duration Pattern) test and to check if the presence of hearing loss influences the performance of this test. METHODS: 65 elderly listeners were evaluated (46 women and 19 men), with ages ranging from 60 and 79 year old. All of them answered an anamnesis and passed through a mini mental state examination and basic audiological evaluation. The participants were placed and studied in a single group and also divided into three groups referred to as G1, G2 and G3. According to the audiometric results we classified the G1 (normal hearing for the averages of 0.5/1/2 kHz and 3/4/6 kHz), the G2 (normal hearing or mild hearing loss for the average of 0.5/1/2 kHz and mild hearing loss for the average of 3/4/6 kHz ) and the G3 (normal hearing or mild hearing loss for the average of 0.5/1/2 kHz and moderate hearing loss for the average of 3/4/6 kHz). The Duration Pattern Test that evaluates the temporal resolution was carried out at 50 dBSL. For analyzing the results we used the non-parametric statistical test of Kruskal-Wallis and Chi - square, considering a significant p < 0.05. RESULTS: in the whole sample, the average of percentage concerning correct responses was 63.1%. In the groups, the average percentage of correct responses was 57.5%, 69% and 63.9% to G1, G2 and G3, respectively. CONCLUSION: the presence of hearing loss did not influence the results of the Duration Pattern Test.
Auditory Perception; Aged; Hearing Tests; Auditory Perceptual Disorders
