A central auditory evaluation protocol: a guide for training and diagnosis of lesions of the central system

The current paper is a tutorial regarding central auditory evaluation (CAE). Evaluation of lesions of the central auditory nervous system is an area of growing interest and activity. A variety of behavioral and electrophysiological methods has been described to detect lesions affecting auditory structures and tracts of the brain stem and cortical levels. In order to foster an organized and rational approach to CAE, the following topics are discussed: prerequisite knowledge needed to perform CAE; the role of history and the basic evaluation; hypothesis formulation; a two-stage CAE protocol, presented in a coded, diagrammatic fashion; and several caveats regarding factors which may complicate test interpretation. Subject variables and additional criteria to be considered in test selection and data interpretation are described. The tutorial is presented in an effort to promote development and refinement of the CAE battery through its systematic application.