Use of a self-perception questionnaire for screening auditory abilities in children with behavioral dysphonia

To discuss the use of a self-perception questionnaire on auditory abilities applied to children with behavioral dysphonia and compare it with the perception of auditory and voice symptoms, as well as with performance in temporal tests of auditory processing.

17 children, aged 6-8 years, with a diagnosis of behavioral dysphonia. Individuals with peripheral hearing loss, severe visual and/or language impairments or neurodevelopmental disorders were excluded. The following instruments were applied: pediatric voice symptoms questionnaire (PVSQ, brazilian validated version); questionnaire of self-perception auditory skills (QAPAC) inserted into the online program AudBility with its self-assessment and parental versions; basic audiological evaluation and the temporal tests Random Gap Detection (RGDT), and Frequency Pattern (FPT). Parents' and children's responses were compared and Spearman's correlation measured correlation between the QAPAC and the PVSQ, as well as between questionnaires and temporal tests.

QAPAC self-assessment version showed a mean score of 45.5±7.4, wherein seven (41.2%) children scored below the risk criteria for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). The mean score on the parental version was 39.5±10.5, with 11 (64.7%) responses falling below the risk criteria. Parents' mean score was statistically lower (worse) compared to that of the children (p<0.005). A strong correlation was found between the self-assessment versions of QAPAC and PVSQ (r=0.671), alongside the parental versions (r=0.722). A poorer performance of the left ear in comparison to the right ear was observed in the FPT test (p<0.005), and a moderate correlation between QAPAC and FPT in the left ear during the imitation phase was noted (r=0.597).

The use of self-perception questionnaire on auditory abilities is a valid contribution to initial voice assessment in children with behavioral dysphonia.