[Temporal resolution: analysis in term and preterm preschoolers]
Ana Beatriz Fortes1, Liliane Desgualdo Pereira, Marisa Frasson de Azevedo
1Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Univeisidade Federal de São Paulo. ab.fortes@uol.com.br
Insights
Preterm children exhibit poorer auditory temporal resolution compared to full-term peers. Early identification using the Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) is crucial for timely intervention to prevent language delays.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Auditory processing is fundamental for language development.
- Temporal resolution, a key aspect of auditory processing, may be affected by preterm birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the auditory temporal resolution of preterm and full-term children aged 5-6 years.
- To investigate the impact of frequency, presentation mode (monaural/binaural), and stimulus order on temporal gap detection.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 70 children (44 full-term, 26 preterm) aged 5-6 years.
- Audiological evaluation including audiometry, speech threshold, impedance, and the Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT).
Main Results:
- Full-term children demonstrated significantly lower gap detection thresholds than preterm children across all frequencies and presentation modes.
- Temporal gap detection thresholds increased with frequency in full-term children but not significantly in preterm children.
Conclusions:
- Preterm birth is associated with differences in auditory temporal resolution compared to full-term birth.
- The RGDT is a valuable tool for assessing auditory processing, enabling early intervention for potential language impairments.
Background:
auditory processing.
Aim:
to verify the hearing behavior of temporal resolution in children with ages from five to six years, who were born preterm, with no evidence of neurological alterations and to compare this behavior to that observed in children of the same age, who were born at term, with low risk for developmental disorders, taking into consideration the variables of: threshold detection gaps through pre-established frequency, binaural and monaural presentation, order of stimuli presentation and gender.
Method:
70 children divided in two groups: Group 1 with 44 children who were born at term (20 female and 24 male) and Group 2 with 26 preterm children (12 female and 14 male). Children were submitted to audiologic evaluation composed of audiometry, speech response threshold, acoustic impedance test and the Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT).
Results:
children who were born at term presented lower threshold detection gaps in the RGDT, for both monaural and binaural stimuli presentation, in all of the pre-established frequencies when compared to preterm children. This difference between the groups was statistically significant. The average threshold detection gaps of Group 1 rose according to the increase of frequency. For Group 2 statistically significant differences were not found regarding the average of threshold detection gaps, for both monaural and binaural stimuli presentation.
Conclusion:
preterm children differ from those born at term regarding the hearing behavior of temporal resolution. The RGDT can be used as a tool to evaluate the hearing process, once the early detection of alterations in temporal processes indicates the need for intervention in order to minimize or avoid future language impairments.
