Behavioral tests of auditory processing: a study on reference values for normal-hearing adults
Sthella Zanchetta1, Laura Caetano Meneghelli2, Pamela Papile Lunardelo3
1Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo - FMRP-USP - Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brasil.
Purpose:
To analyze and compare outcomes of clinical tests assessing auditory processing (AP) in adults with normal hearing across age groups and to propose reference values.
Methods:
A total of 116 adults aged 18 to 59 years, all with normal hearing, no auditory complaints, and native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese, were evaluated. The following verbal and nonverbal tests were administered: Masking Level Difference (MLD), Gaps-In-Noise (GIN), Pitch Pattern Sequence (PPS), Duration Pattern Sequence (DPS), and Dichotic Digits Test (DDT).
Results:
The GIN, PPS, and DDT showed significant differences beginning at 40 years of age. For the DPS, significant differences were observed between individuals aged 18-29 years and those aged 50-59 years. In the DDT, significant differences were found in the right ear beginning at 50 years and in the left ear beginning at 40 years. The MLD was the only test that did not show age-related differences.
Conclusion:
A decline in auditory processing test performance was observed with increasing age, even before senescence. The age at which significant changes occurred varied across tests, highlighting the need to establish age-specific reference values. The MLD was the only test that remained stable throughout adulthood. The proposed reference values are as follows: MLD, 8-14 dB (18-59 years); GIN, ≤ 6 ms (18-39 years) and ≤ 8 ms (40-59 years); PPS, ≥ 76.6% (18-39 years) and ≥ 63.0% (40-59 years); DPS, ≥ 90.3% (18-29 years), ≥ 80.0% (30-49 years), and ≥ 70.0% (50-59 years); DDT-RE, ≥ 98.5% (18-49 years) and ≥ 93.2% (50-59 years); DDT-LE, ≥ 97.5% (18-39 years) and ≥ 95.0% (40-59 years).
