APD hos barn og ungdom – En normdatastudie

Abstract

Background: Auditory Processing Disorder is difficult to diagnose and there is still a lot to learn about this condition. Recent research reports MLR as a promising new tool to help assess the disorder. The last few years efforts has been made to establish a Norwegian test battery for APD, but there is a need to conduct more research on electrophysiological measurements to supplement this battery. Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to describe performance of normal children ages 10-12 years, on the Middle Latency Response measurement (MLR). The second purpose was to compare the results from the subjective measurements in the Norwegian test battery for APD, with normative data proposed in a previous Norwegian study. Material and Methods: A total of forty-four children aged 10-12 years were measured with the test battery for APD and MLR. Thirty-five cases were included in the analysis of normative values for the Na and Pa wave of the MLR. MLR was assessed using a click stimulus protocol at 70 dB nHL, surface electrodes and insert earphones. Results: Analysis showed no significant differences between age groups, genders or ears on any variable for latency or amplitude of the MLR (p<0.05). A significant difference between left and right ear for electrode effect was found. Results for the test battery for APD in this study did not differ much from a previous Norwegian study. Conclusion: The results from this study showed no significant difference between age groups or genders in any variable for the MLR. Normative values for the Na and Pa latency and amplitude are proposed for the age group 10-12 years.