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Quantitative Assessment of Cortical Auditory-tactile Processing in Children with Disabilities
09:38

Quantitative Assessment of Cortical Auditory-tactile Processing in Children with Disabilities

Published on: January 29, 2014

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Medial efferent mechanisms in children with auditory processing disorders

Srikanta K Mishra1

  • 1Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, New Mexico State University , Las Cruces, NM , USA.

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|November 12, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Auditory processing disorder (APD) in children is poorly understood. Current research on medial olivocochlear (MOC) inhibition in APD is inconclusive due to varied methods and populations, requiring further study.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Audiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Auditory processing disorder (APD) affects 2-5% of children, causing difficulties in complex listening environments.
  • Medial olivocochlear (MOC) inhibition is a potential mechanism aiding listening in noise.
  • The role of MOC efferents in APD remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review published data on MOC inhibition in children with APD.
  • To determine the involvement of MOC efferents in the auditory system of children with APD.
  • To evaluate otoacoustic emission (OAE) methods used for MOC reflex assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on MOC inhibition and APD in children.
  • Examination of otoacoustic emission (OAE) methodologies for measuring MOC reflexes.
  • Analysis of study population characteristics and OAE measurement techniques.

Main Results:

  • Significant heterogeneity exists in study populations and OAE methods used.
  • Key variables influencing MOC reflex measurements (e.g., middle-ear reflexes, OAE signal-to-noise ratio) were often uncontrolled.
  • Inconsistent findings preclude definitive conclusions about MOC reflex alterations in APD.

Conclusions:

  • Current evidence is insufficient to confirm or deny altered MOC reflex function in children with APD.
  • Methodological inconsistencies and lack of control for confounding variables limit current understanding.
  • Further rigorously designed studies are necessary to elucidate the role of MOC efferents in APD.

Keywords:
auditory processing disordersmedial olivocochlear reflexotoacoustic emissions

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