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Medial olivocochlear function in children with poor speech-in-noise performance and language disorder.
Caroline Nunes Rocha-Muniz1, Renata Mota Mamede Carvallo1, Eliane Schochat1
1Universidade de São Paulo School of Medicine (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|April 10, 2017
Summary
Children with poor speech-in-noise (PSIN) skills and language impairments show differences in medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent function. Otoacoustic emission suppression was reduced in these groups compared to typically developing children.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Otoacoustic Emissions
- Speech Perception
Background:
- Contralateral masking of transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) indicates medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent pathway inhibition.
- Previous studies have not clearly linked MOC function to behavioral speech-in-noise (SIN) listening skills.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate MOC efferent activation in children with poor SIN performance.
- Examine MOC efferent function in children with both language impairment and poor SIN performance (SLI + PSIN).
Main Methods:
- Tested TEOAEs with and without contralateral white noise in 52 children (6-12 years).
- Grouped participants into typical development (TD), PSIN, and SLI + PSIN categories.
Main Results:
- Children with PSIN and SLI + PSIN exhibited reduced TEOAE suppression compared to the TD group.
- This suggests impaired MOC efferent function in children with listening and language difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Findings indicate distinct MOC efferent system function in children with typical development versus those with PSIN and language impairments.
- Differences in MOC function may contribute to difficulties in understanding speech in noisy environments.