Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
Quantitative Assessment of Cortical Auditory-tactile Processing in Children with Disabilities
Published on: January 29, 2014
[Auditory verbal learning in children with suspected auditory processing deficits]
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Phoniatrie und Pädaudiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover. Ptok.martin@MH-Hannover.de
Insights
Many children referred for auditory processing disorder (APD) actually have short-term memory deficits. Routine memory testing is recommended for accurate APD diagnosis in children.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Audiology
Context:
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) diagnosis requires ruling out other conditions, including learning disorders.
- Children referred for APD often present with behavioral issues.
- Previous research highlights the need for comprehensive differential diagnosis in suspected APD cases.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence of memory deficits in children referred for APD assessment.
- To evaluate the utility of the German Auditory Verbal Learning Test (VLMT) in identifying these deficits.
- To advocate for routine memory testing in APD evaluations.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed data from 386 children (ages 6-9) referred for suspected APD.
- The German Auditory Verbal Learning Test (VLMT) revealed impairments in short-term memory, long-term memory, and recognition components.
- Approximately 50% of referred children exhibited short-term memory deficits, suggesting it's a common comorbidity or misdiagnosis.
Impact:
- Findings suggest a significant overlap between auditory processing disorder and memory impairments in pediatric populations.
- Recommends the routine use of the VLMT to assess short- and long-term memory skills for more accurate APD diagnosis.
- Highlights the importance of memory assessment in the differential diagnosis of auditory processing disorder.
Background:
As unanimously found in several consensus papers, other conditions such as learning disorders need to be ruled out prior to labelling a child as having an auditory processing disorder (APD).
Methods:
In a retrospective study data from 386 children (245 boys, 141 girls) aged 6;0-9;11 years were investigated. All children were referred for behavioural problems suspected to be due to APD. The German auditory verbal learning test (Verbaler Lern- und Merkfähigkeitstest, VLMT) was administered. Results in a range of more than one/two standard deviations from the mean were regarded as deviant/pathological, while a test result under 15.8 was considered below normal.
Results:
The VLMT short term component was impaired in 202 children, the long term component (loss after interference) in 83 children and the recognition component in 298 children.
Discussion:
Compared with previously published results, our results suggest that approximately half of all children referred for APD diagnosis suffer from short-term memory deficit. We suggest the VLMT, and thus testing of short- and long-term memory skills, be administered routinely for thorough APD assessments.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
01:17Auditory Perception
01:15Auditory Pathway
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...