[Problems and possible solutions in evaluation of dichotic discrimination tests for children]

Uttenweiler's dichotic discrimination test is a valuable contribution to the diagnosis of auditory perception disorders. With this test it is possible to establish whether there is a deficit in a patient's ability to discriminate between differing spoken signals to each ear, as shown in a study contrasting elementary school age children with normal hearing with children having auditory perception disorders. Until now only a limited comparison of test results has been possible, as previous test modes have required an increase in volume when words could not be completely distinguished. A further problem is that very different hearing abilities may give rise to the same test configurations. This study presents an alternative test method that allows a direct individual comparison of results. The volume of the words spoken is no longer increased when words are not adequately understood. In addition, a point system is introduced that enables a quantitative analysis of the same test performances. This new evaluation scale is explained on the basis of actual examples.