Allowing for asymmetric distributions when comparing auditory processing test percentage scores with normative data.

Area of Science:

• Auditory Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Speech and Hearing Sciences

Background:

• Auditory processing tests often yield percentage scores with asymmetric distributions, complicating normative comparisons.
• Existing methods struggle to accurately represent performance across different age groups due to developmental variations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate age-specific normative values for dichotic digit and frequency pattern tests.
• To develop a transformation method for accurate interpretation of auditory processing test results in children.

Main Methods:

• A total of 180 children aged 7-12 years with normal hearing participated.
• Percentage correct scores were arcsine transformed and regressed against age using an exponential equation.
• Age-specific means and variances were estimated to create Z scores, accounting for asymmetric data distributions.

Main Results:

• A regression model was developed to estimate mean scores and variance across the 7-12 year age range.
• The transformation method successfully addressed asymmetric data distributions and developmental influences.
• Age-specific Z scores were generated for dichotic digit and frequency pattern tests.

Conclusions:

• The developed method allows for the expression of auditory processing test results as standard units along an age continuum.
• This simplifies the interpretation of performance, considering both developmental factors and data distribution characteristics.
• The approach provides a more accurate and accessible way to understand auditory processing abilities in children.