Normative data for diagnosing auditory processing disorder in Norwegian children aged 7-12 years
Tone Stokkereit Mattsson1,2, Turid Follestad3, Stein Andersson4
1a Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck Surgery , Ålesund Hospital , Aalesund , Norway.
International Journal of Audiology
|August 25, 2017
Summary
This study established auditory processing test norms for Norwegian children aged 7-12. Performance improved with age, with good test-retest reliability, aiding Auditory Processing Disorder diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Developmental Psychology
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
Background:
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) diagnosis requires age-appropriate normative data.
- Existing auditory processing test norms may not be suitable for Norwegian-speaking children.
- Establishing local normative data is crucial for accurate APD identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To obtain normative data for auditory processing tests in Norwegian children.
- To evaluate the test-retest reliability of selected auditory processing tests.
- To identify preferred tests for diagnosing APD in this population.
Main Methods:
- Administered a battery of audiological and auditory processing tests to 268 children (7-12 years).
- Included tests like Filtered Words, Competing Words, Dichotic Digits, and Gaps In Noise.
- Assessed test-retest reliability with a subgroup of 10-year-olds.
Main Results:
- No significant gender differences were observed.
- Performance generally improved with age, except for Gaps In Noise and Binaural Masking Level Difference.
- Good test-retest reliability was found, with a minor learning effect on Filtered Words.
Conclusions:
- Normative data for auditory processing tests were successfully established for Norwegian children.
- Specific tests were recommended for diagnosing Auditory Processing Disorder in this age group.
- The findings support the use of these tests for clinical audiological practice in Norway.
