Identification of Central Auditory Processing Disorder Based on Persian Multiple Auditory Processing Assessments (P-MAPA) in School-Aged Children

Since the auditory processing occurs across whole auditory nervous system, the proper assessment of the related disorders requires multiple tests designed to explore theseauditory skills. The aim of this study was to explore central auditory processing disorder in a selected group of school-aged children by means of Persian multiple auditoryprocessing assessment (MAPA-P). As a descriptive-analytical research, this study employed P-MAPA assessment entailing a quartet set of PPT, Tap test, CST, Tripple DDT and mSAAT tests. The population encompasses 300 school kids aged 9-12 yr, with equal numbers from both male and female in each age group selected from 7 primary schools located in Arak, Iran. The study subjects were imposed to P-MAPA assessment via headphone-equipped laptop after ascertaining about their peripheral auditory health. Results were analyzed via oneway variance analysis and independent t-test. Then, the mean score for each age group was calculated. Finally, the frequency percentage of the auditory processing disorder was determined based on the cut point of each test. The results of the one-way variance analysis showed a significant statistical differencebetween the mean scores for the 5 tests performed in various age groups (P-value> 0.001). There were a positive correlation between age and mean scores increase. However, the results of independent t-test showed no meaningful difference between the sexes. The central auditory processing disorder in the school-aged children community in Arak City about 5% was obtained. Despite their normal auditory threshold, children suffering from the central auditory processing disorder show learning and cognitive deficits resulted from incomplete auditory information. This disorder is not diagnosable via peripheral auditory screening; so, requires specialized assessment methods. Moreover, since the auditory processingoccurs across the whole nervous system, it is necessary to make use of a test battery in order to assess the disorder in a way enables each separate test to explore specific auditory skills. Given the valid results of the MAPA model proven in numerous studies, this set of tests is known as an efficient and professional standard auditory test. Besides covering the triple major fields of auditory processing defined by ASHA, the MAPA model can be easily applied in the classroom or acoustic chamber by means of CD technology. Five percent of the children under the study were suspected to suffer from central auditory processing disorder. The findings were compatible with the results of the similar studies performed in other countries. The auditory processing disorder in the school children aged 9-12 yr in Arak was exploredvia P-MAPA and its prevalence was about 5%.

کلیدواژه ها:

(Central) auditory nervous system ، Auditory processing disorder ، Persian school kids ، The multiple auditory processing assessments (MAPA)