A data-driven approach to identify a rapid screener for auditory processing disorder testing referrals in adults

Area of Science:

• Audiology and Hearing Science
• Neuroscience
• Speech and Language Pathology

Background:

• Hearing thresholds are standard audiology assessments, but ~10% of adults with perceived hearing loss have normal thresholds.
• Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) assessment is a key diagnostic avenue for these patients, yet referral guidelines are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific tests within the APD testing battery that can serve as a rapid screener for adult referrals.
• To improve the identification of adults with self-perceived hearing difficulties despite normal audiometric thresholds.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of audiology database records from adult patients with self-perceived hearing difficulties and normal audiometric thresholds.
• Examination of APD test performances, correlational relationships, and classification accuracies.
• Evaluation of dichotic listening tasks, including the Words-in-Noise (WIN), Random Dichotic Digits Task (RDDT), and Quick Speech in Noise (QuickSIN) tests.

Main Results:

• Adult patients experienced the most difficulties in the dichotic listening domain.
• The WIN, RDDT, and QuickSIN tests demonstrated the highest classification accuracies based on sensitivity and specificity.
• These tests show promise for identifying adults who may benefit from APD assessment.

Conclusions:

• The WIN, RDDT, and QuickSIN tests can serve as an effective rapid screener in routine audiological assessments.
• Implementing these screeners can help identify adult patients who require further APD evaluation and treatment.
• Standardizing referral pathways for APD assessment can improve care for individuals with unexplained hearing difficulties.