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Purpose: This study evaluated the peripheral hearing and central auditory processing abilities in Indian adolescent girls with iron deficiency anemia (IDA)., Method: The participants consisted of 75 adolescent girls with IDA, 50 adolescent girls without IDA, and 50 adolescent boys without IDA. Participants underwent a test battery to evaluate auditory processing and peripheral hearing assessment. In this study, central auditory processing abilities were assessed using Speech Perception in Noise test in Kannada (SPIN-K) and quick speech perception in noise tests in Kannada, dichotic consonant-vowel test, gap detection threshold (GDT), and auditory digit sequencing and auditory digit span tests., Results: Results showed that the hearing thresholds at extremely low and high frequencies (250 and 8000 Hz), although within clinically normal limits, were poorer in girls with IDA than in the control groups. Also, girls with IDA performed poorly in SPIN-K of the right ear, GDT, and auditory backward digit span tests., Conclusion: These subtle auditory deficiencies may be attributed to the compromised blood supply to the central auditory nervous system, as observed in the current study.

Temporal processing ability contributes to the identification of small phonetic elements that is important for speech perception. Difficulty in these interferes with normal speech perception and phoneme recognition. The present study aimed to assess the temporal and phonological processing abilities in children with speech sound disorders (SSD). Temporal processing and phonological skills were evaluated in 32 participants in the age range of 6-10 years, equally divided into two groups. Group I included typically developing children, and Group II included children with SSD. Gap detection test and duration pattern test were used to assess temporal processing abilities, and phonological sensitivity training kit in Kannada (PhoST-K) assessed phonological processing abilities. The results showed that there was a significant difference in temporal and phonological processing between the two groups of children. A significant correlation between gap detection ability and deletion tasks and between duration pattern ability and oddity tasks was obtained. Based on the results, it is recommended to assess the temporal process pertinent to central auditory processing in children with SSD, as a close relationship between temporal processing abilities and phonological awareness exists.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the influence of subcortical auditory processing and cognitive measures on cocktail party listening in younger and older adults with normal hearing sensitivity., Design: Tests administered included quick speech perception in noise test to assess cocktail party listening, speech auditory brainstem response to assess subcortical auditory processing and digit span, digit sequencing and spatial selective attention test to assess cognitive processing., Study Sample: A total of 92 participants with normal hearing sensitivity participated in the study. They were divided into two groups: 52 young adults (20-40 years) and 40 older adults (60-80 years)., Results: The older adults performed significantly poorer than, the younger adults on the quick speech perception in noise test and various cognitive measures. Further, cognitive measures correlated with speech perception in noise in younger and older adults. The results of this study also showed that there was a significant deterioration in brainstem encoding of speech with ageing. Further, it was also noted that the fundamental frequency of the speech auditory brainstem response correlated with speech perception in noise., Conclusions: It can be concluded from this study that subcortical auditory processing and cognitive measures play a role in cocktail party listening.

Introduction: Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) refers to difficulties in processing audible signals not attributable to impaired hearing sensitivity or mental impairment. The demographic characteristics of pediatric CAPD and its prevalence are still debatable. Due to varied definitions and differences in the diagnostic criteria for CAPD, the approximate prevalence measure varies from 0.5 to 7% of the population. Thus, a retrospective study on prevalence in individuals with CAPD was conducted. Method: A total of 3537 cases with ear-related problems were reported to Audiology OPD at All India Institute of Speech and Hearing from June 2017 to July 2019 between the age range of 6–18 years. Of these, 32 cases were diagnosed with CAPD, and this data was available for review. Results: The prevalence of individuals with CAPD reported in this duration was 0.7%. The results also revealed that the prevalence was higher among males and individuals of lower socio-economic status. Their significant symptoms were poor academic performance and difficulty following commands or instructions. The data also revealed that speech perception in noise was the most affected process, followed by binaural integration in these individuals. Conclusion: The study provides insight into the vulnerable population who can get CAPD (e.g., children and males or people from lower socio-economic backgrounds). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to determine the criteria used for screening and diagnosing cases with central auditory processing disorders (CAPD) in India. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey design was used in the present study. A questionnaire was developed to determine the criteria used for screening and diagnosing CAPD across clinics in India. Responses were obtained from 83 participants from all over India. Results indicated that 78% of respondents were currently doing CAPD evaluation. In that, the majority of respondents (63%) had a predetermined minimum battery that was relatively adaptable depending on the case history and age of the patient. In screening, most respondents used a screening questionnaire (SCAP, 75%) and a screening test (STAP, 60%). In the diagnostic protocol, the most used tests by the respondents were masking level difference (MLD), repetition of words (RW), gap detection test (GDT), pitch pattern test (PPT), speech perception in noise (SPIN), digit span test (DST), dichotic digit test (DDT), binaural fusion test (BFT), auditory brainstem response (ABR), dichotic CV test (DCVT), and duration pattern test (DPT). The current study's result will help professionals choose the minimum test battery for diagnosing CAPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various factors influence speech perception in noise (SPIN): age, hearing loss, cognition, background noise, stimulus redundancy, type of stimulus used, and signal-to-noise ratio. The effect of age on SPIN with different stimuli is yet to be validated in the literature. This study aims to study the effect of age on SPIN results across different stimuli. The study is a cross-sectional study with ninety participants with normal hearing ability. All participants in the study were equally divided into three groups: the children's group aged 8 to 12 years, the adult group aged 18 to 30, and the older adult group aged 55 to 72 years. Speech perception in the background of Kannada speech babble was assessed across three stimuli: monosyllables (CV), phonemically balanced Kannada words, and Kannada sentences. The stimulus was presented at 60 dBSPL binaurally through a calibrated headphone at 0 dB SNR. The result indicated a significant main effect of age on SPIN across syllables, words, and sentences. Further, Mann-Whitney test results revealed a statistically significant difference between the SPIN scores of children and adults for syllables, words, and sentences. Also, a statistical difference was noted in SPIN scores between adults and older adults for syllables, words, and sentences. However, statistical differences between children and older adults were seen only for syllables. The trend showed that the SPIN scores for syllables, words, and sentences improve from childhood to adulthood, while scores deteriorate from the adult to older adult group. A similar trend was seen for all three stimulus types. However, the reduction in the SPIN score using syllables in the older adult group was more noticeable than words and sentences. It can be concluded that there is an effect of age on SPIN abilities across different stimuli. It highlights the importance of age-appropriate SPIN normative for various stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present systematic review aims to understand auditory processing abilities in children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P). The review summarizes questionnaire, behavioral, and electrophysiological findings of auditory processing abilities in children with NSCL/P. Method: The study used a literature search of electronic databases (e.g., Pub Med, Google Scholar, J Stage, Research Gate, ScienceDirect) and the AIISH repository from 2000 to 2021. The retrieved articles were assessed in two stages: title and abstract screening, followed by a full-length article review. About 13 articles were selected after the full-length review of 17 shortlisted articles. All selected studies used cohort design. Result: The review showed that speech perception in noise and temporal processing were the majorly affected processing abilities in children with NSCL/P. The review also showed that cleft palate children are more prone to auditory processing deficits than other cleft subgroups. These auditory processing deficits in NSCL/P children may cause delayed speech and language skills, reading, and learning disabilities, which are highly reported in these children. Conclusion: Auditory processing evaluation should be a part of the audiological test battery for these children to promote early diagnosis and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study's main objective was to compare Listening Effort (LE) in children with central auditory processing disorder [(C)APD] and typically developing children in quiet and at −2 and −6 dB SNR conditions. And to determine the relationship between LE and auditory processing abilities in children with (C)APD. The study included 30 children (15 typically developing children and 15 diagnosed with (C)APD) aged 10–12 years. LE was measured using a dual-tasking paradigm. The primary task required the child to repeat the words. The second task required the child to click the mouse based on the image displayed on the laptop's screen. The primary task was done at quiet, −2 dB SNR, and −6 dB SNR conditions. LE was correlated with dichotic CV, duration pattern test, speech perception in noise - Indian English, and gap detection test in children with (C)APD. A mixed ANOVA was performed with LE in various conditions as the within-subject factor and group as the between-subject factor for both repetition and reaction time. The study found that LE repetition and reaction time had a significant main effect across conditions and groups. The correlation results revealed a significant relationship between LE reaction time with dichotic scores and GDT thresholds only at −2 dB SNR and −6 dB SNR conditions. There was no significant correlation between other auditory processing abilities and LE under different conditions, such as quiet, SPIN-IE, and DPT at −2 dB SNR and −6 dB SNR. The study emphasizes the importance of cognitive abilities for adequate listening comprehension in challenging situations. As a result, assessing LE in this population may provide additional information for developing therapeutic activities and assisting the child in overcoming listening difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Cognitive and auditory processing deficits are seen in older individuals with normal hearing sensitivity. Studies on older individuals with hearing impairment have assessed the cognitive function and correlated with hearing devices benefit. Since auditory processing can also affect speech perception abilities, and there is a possible relationship between cognition and some of the auditory processing abilities, it is essential to assess the relationship between auditory processing abilities and hearing aid benefit in naïve and experienced hearing aid users in older adults. Methods: Fifty individuals in the age range of 51 to 70 years with mild to moderate hearing loss participated in the study. There were 30 participants without any hearing aid experience and 20 participants with hearing aid experience for at least six weeks. Their auditory processing abilities were tested using gap detection test, duration pattern test, speech perception in noise, dichotic consonant-vowel test, masking level difference, forward and backward span tests. The hearing aid benefit was assessed using aided speech perception in noise measures and International Outcome Inventory-Hearing Aids questionnaire in Kannada. Results: Spearman's correlation showed only correlation between auditory closure ability and binaural integration abilities with hearing aid benefit in experienced users. There was no correlation between any other auditory processing abilities and hearing aid benefit. Conclusion: There is a correlation between a few auditory processes and hearing aid use in elderly individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The current study aimed to evaluate the olivocochlear bundle functioning and speech perception in the presence of noise in females with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Method: Twenty participants in the age range of 18-25 years were included in the study. They were equally divided into two groups: group 1 included females diagnosed with PCOS, and group 2 included healthy adult male participants. Medial olivocochlear (MOC) functioning was evaluated using contralateral suppression of transient otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE). In addition, speech perception in noise was assessed using a quick speech perception in noise test in Malayalam. Results: Results showed a significant difference for the TEOAE amplitude and signal to noise ratio (SNR) of TEOAEs in quiet and in the presence of contralateral noise and the speech perception in noise between the two groups. Also, no contralateral suppression was noted in the clinical group suggesting that MOC functioning is affected in individuals with PCOS. Conclusion: It can be concluded that medial olivocochlear bundle functioning and speech perception in noise is affected in individuals with PCOS, which can be attributed to the abnormality in the hormonal status of PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Psychoacoustic abilities include the perception of frequency, intensity, and the temporal parameters of sound, which are necessary for speech perception. These abilities can be measured using adaptive and non-adaptive procedures. The maximum likelihood procedure (MLP) is an adaptive psychophysical procedure that is usually utilized in psychoacoustic tasks. The present study aimed to assess the test- retest reliability of various psychoacoustic measures assessed using the MLP toolbox implemented in Matlab. Material and methods: A total of 20 participants with normal hearing sensitivity were selected for the study. The test-retest reliability of psychoacoustic measures was studied in terms of frequency difference limen, intensity difference limen, duration discrimination thresholds, gap detection thresholds, and modulation detection thresholds (4 Hz and 128 Hz). To check test-retest reliability all measures were assessed twice within a span of one day. Results: The results showed no significant difference in the various psychoacoustic measures obtained across the two sessions. The reliability of each measure was tested using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).The results indicated that the test-retest reliability of various psychoacoustic measures assessed using the MLP toolbox was fair to good. Conclusions: It can be concluded that MLP is a reliable tool to assess various psychoacoustic abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop sentence lists in the Telugu language for the assessment of speech recognition threshold (SRT) in the presence of background noise through identification of the mean signal-to-noise ratio required to attain a 50% sentence recognition score (SRTn).Design: This study was conducted in three phases. The first phase involved the selection and recording of Telugu sentences. In the second phase, 20 lists, each consisting of 10 sentences with equal intelligibility, were formulated using a numerical optimisation procedure. In the third phase, the SRTn of the developed lists was estimated using adaptive procedures on individuals with normal hearing.Study sample: A total of 68 native Telugu speakers with normal hearing participated in the study. Of these, 18 (including the speakers) performed on various subjective measures in first phase, 20 performed on sentence/word recognition in noise for second phase and 30 participated in the list equivalency procedures in third phase.Results: In all, 15 lists of comparable difficulty were formulated as test material. The mean SRTn across these lists corresponded to −2.74 (SD = 0.21).Conclusions: The developed sentence lists provided a valid and reliable tool to measure SRTn in Telugu native speakers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of short-term musical training on speech perception in noise. In the present study speech perception in noise was measured pre- and post- short-term musical training. The musical training involved auditory perceptual training for raga identification of two Carnatic ragas. The training was given for eight sessions. A total of 18 normal hearing adults in the age range of 18-25 years participated in the study wherein group 1 consisted of ten individuals who underwent musical training and group 2 consisted of eight individuals who did not undergo any training. Results revealed that post training, speech perception in noise improved significantly in group 1, whereas group 2 did not show any changes in speech perception scores. Thus, short-term musical training shows an enhancement of speech perception in the presence of noise. However, generalization and long-term maintenance of these benefits needs to be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to assess speech recognition in noise using multitalker babble of native and non-native language at two different signal to noise ratios. The speech recognition in noise was assessed on 60 participants (18 to 30 years) with normal hearing sensitivity, having Malayalam and Kannada as their native language. For this purpose, 6 and 10 multitalker babble were generated in Kannada and Malayalam language. Speech recognition was assessed for native listeners of both the languages in the presence of native and non-native multitalker babble. Results showed that the speech recognition in noise was significantly higher for 0 dB signal to noise ratio (SNR) compared to -3 dB SNR for both the languages. Performance of Kannada Listeners was significantly higher in the presence of native (Kannada) babble compared to non-native babble (Malayalam). However, this was not same with the Malayalam listeners wherein they performed equally well with native (Malayalam) as well as non-native babble (Kannada). The results of the present study highlight the importance of using native multitalker babble for Kannada listeners in lieu of non-native babble and, considering the importance of each SNR for estimating speech recognition in noise scores. Further research is needed to assess speech recognition in Malayalam listeners in the presence of other non-native backgrounds of various types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tinnitus is the perception of a sound without an external source. It can affect auditory perception abilities in individuals with normal hearing sensitivity. Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of tinnitus on psychoacoustic abilities in individuals with normal hearing sensitivity. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on twenty subjects with tinnitus and twenty subjects without tinnitus. Tinnitus group was again divided into mild and moderate tinnitus based on the tinnitus handicap inventory. Data Collection and Analysis: Differential limen of intensity, differential limen of frequency, gap detection test, modulation detection thresholds were done through the mlp toolbox in Matlab and speech in noise test was done with the help of Quick SIN in Kannada. Results: Results of the study showed that the clinical group performed poorly in all the tests except for differential limen of intensity. Conclusions: Tinnitus affects aspects of auditory perception like temporal resolution, speech perception in noise and frequency discrimination in individuals with normal hearing. This could be due to subtle changes in the central auditory system which is not reflected in the pure tone audiogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]