Comparison of Questionnaire-Based and Performance-Based Screening Tools as Predictors of Auditory Processing Disorder

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neuroscience
• Speech and Hearing Sciences

Background:

• Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) diagnosis relies on accurate screening.
• Questionnaire-based and performance-based tools are used for APD screening.
• The comparative predictive validity of these screening methods needs clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare questionnaire-based and performance-based screening tools in predicting Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) diagnosis.
• To evaluate the predictability of specific screening tools against diagnostic APD tests.
• To inform clinical practice regarding APD screening referrals.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical records from 85 individuals (aged 7-23) assessed for APD.
• Utilized Children's Auditory Performance Scale, Fisher's Auditory Problems Checklist, Buffalo Model Questionnaire-Revised (questionnaire-based).
• Employed SCAN-3 screening tests: Auditory Figure Ground, Competing Words Free Recall (CW-FR), Gap Detection Test (performance-based).

Main Results:

• Moderate correlation found among questionnaire-based tools; no correlation between questionnaire- and performance-based tools.
• The CW-FR performance-based tool significantly correlated with five diagnostic tests.
• Questionnaire tools did not predict APD diagnosis, while CW-FR (φ = 0.33) and SCAN-3 battery (φ = 0.44) predicted APD diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Performance-based screening tools, such as CW-FR or the SCAN-3 battery, can effectively predict the need for further APD diagnostic evaluation.
• Referrals for comprehensive APD diagnostic assessments should not solely depend on questionnaire-based screening results.
• Clinicians should prioritize performance-based measures for initial APD screening to ensure accurate diagnostic pathways.