Development and Evaluation of the Italian Version of the Dichotic Digit Test: Insights from 39 Normal-Hearing Children Aged 11 to 13 years.

BACKGROUND The dichotic digit test (DDT) is one of the tests for the behavioral assessment of central auditory processing. Dichotic listening tests are sensitive ways of assessing cortical structures, the corpus callossum, and binaural integration mechanisms, showing strong correlations with learning difficulties. The DDT is presently available in a number of languages, each appropriate for the subject's native language. However, there is presently no test in the Italian language. The goal of this study was to develop an Italian version of the one-pair dichotic digit test (DDT-IT) and analyze results in 39 normal-hearing Italian children 11 to 13 years old. We used 2 conditions of presentation: free recall and directed attention (left or right ear), and looked at possible effects of sex and ear side. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study involved 3 steps: creation of the stimuli, checking their quality with Italian speakers, and assessment of the DDT-IT in our subject pool. The study involved 39 children (26 girls and 13 boys), aged 11-13 years. All participants underwent basic audiological assessment, auditory brainstem response, and then DDT-IT. RESULTS Results under free recall and directed attention conditions were similar for right and left ears, and there were no sex or age effects. CONCLUSIONS The Italian version of DDT (DDT-IT) has been developed and its performance on 39 normal-hearing Italian children was assessed. We found there were no age or sex effects for either the free recall condition or the directed attention condition.

Computer-based central auditory processing screening for school-age children (audBility): an initial investigation. / Programa online de triagem do processamento auditivo central em escolares (audBility): investigação inicial.

PURPOSE: To study an initial version of a new computer-based program for auditory processing screening of school-age children: "audBility." Specifically, the study aimed to analyze performance in individual tasks, level of difficulty per age group, administration time and data management and propose adjustments for a final version to be validated in future research, based on the administration of "audBility" on children with good school performance. METHODS: Forty-three school-age children with good school performance were selected. The program assesses hearing skills related to sound localization, competitive dichotic listening, binaural integration, auditory figure-ground, auditory closure, temporal resolution and temporal ordering, as well as a self-perception questionnaire answered by the children. RESULTS: The mean score obtained in the questionnaire was 44.75 ± 6.3. Based on the analysis of performance in the individual tasks, improvements were made in the auditory closure and temporal resolution tests and also the research protocol was reduced and defined to adjust to administration time. It was identified a necessity of two separate modules: one for the age groups of 6 to 8 and other for 9 to 12 years, beyond the inclusion of two new versions of the questionnaire that can be answered by teachers and/or parents. CONCLUSION: The development of audBility is an advance in the area of central auditory processing screening in school-age children. New researches for the validation of audBility are underway, with an increased sample and comparison with the diagnostic battery. The initial results enabled the development of the final version of the protocol to be used in the validation study.

OBJETIVO: estudar a versão inicial de um novo programa online de triagem do processamento auditivo em escolares: "audBility". A partir da aplicação em crianças com bom desempenho escolar, a pesquisa teve como objetivo específico analisar o desempenho em cada tarefa, nível de dificuldade por faixa etária, tempo de aplicação, gerenciamento dos dados e propor ajustes e melhorias para a versão final, a qual posteriormente deverá ser validada em pesquisas futuras. MÉTODO: participaram 43 escolares com idades entre 8 e 11 anos e bom desempenho escolar. O programa avalia as habilidades auditivas de localização sonora, escuta dicótica competitiva (dígitos e dissílabos), integração binaural, figura-fundo, fechamento auditivo, resolução e ordenação temporal, além de um questionário de autopercepção direcionado aos escolares, baseado no instrumento "Scale of Auditory Behaviors .". RESULTADOS: o escore médio obtido no questionário foi de 44,75 ± 6,3 pontos. A partir do desempenho em cada atividade, foram realizadas melhorias no teste de fechamento auditivo e temporais; redução e definição do protocolo de pesquisa para adequar o tempo de aplicação. Observou-se a necessidade de dois módulos, divididos para crianças na faixa etária de 6 a 8 anos e de 9 a 12 anos, e o acréscimo de duas versões do questionário, direcionados para os pais e professores. CONCLUSÃO: o desenvolvimento do audBility é um avanço na área do processamento auditivo e triagem escolar. A validação do audBility está sendo realizada com o aumento da amostra e comparação com a bateria diagnóstica. Os resultados iniciais possibilitaram o desenvolvimento da versão final do protocolo a ser utilizado no estudo de validação.

Saneamento é saúde? O saneamento no campo da saúde coletiva / Is sanitation essential to human health? The sanitation issue in the public health field

Resumo Milhares de crianças no mundo ainda morrem por doenças causadas pela falta de saneamento. Entretanto, o saneamento segue quase invisível na agenda da saúde brasileira. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a relevância dada ao tema pelos pesquisadores do campo da saúde coletiva. Para isso mapeou-se a presença do tema nos grupos de pesquisa do CNPq, nos periódicos científicos nacionais e nos programas de pós-graduação em saúde coletiva. Os resultados mostraram que poucos desses programas abordam o tema. Assim, poucos grupos de pesquisa em saúde coletiva estudam e publicam sobre saneamento nos periódicos avaliados. Fatores que poderiam estar associados à aparente baixa relevância dada ao tema pela comunidade acadêmica da saúde coletiva são discutidos.

Abstract Although sanitation problems seem to have been resolved, every day thousands of children around the world die of diseases caused by the lack of it. Nevertheless, sanitation remains virtually invisible in the Brazilian health sector agenda. The objective of this study is to investigate the importance given to this topic by researchers from the public health field. The relevance of the subject was mapped out in CNPq's research groups, Brazilian scientific journals, and public health graduate programs. The results showed that few of these programs addressed the topic of sanitation. As a consequence, few public health research groups study and publish about sanitation in the journals assessed. The potential factors that could be behind the limited interest in sanitation shown by the public health academic community are discussed.

Programa online de triagem do processamento auditivo central em escolares (audBility): investigação inicial / Computer-based central auditory processing screening for school-age children (audBility): an initial investigation

RESUMO Objetivo estudar a versão inicial de um novo programa online de triagem do processamento auditivo em escolares: "audBility". A partir da aplicação em crianças com bom desempenho escolar, a pesquisa teve como objetivo específico analisar o desempenho em cada tarefa, nível de dificuldade por faixa etária, tempo de aplicação, gerenciamento dos dados e propor ajustes e melhorias para a versão final, a qual posteriormente deverá ser validada em pesquisas futuras. Método participaram 43 escolares com idades entre 8 e 11 anos e bom desempenho escolar. O programa avalia as habilidades auditivas de localização sonora, escuta dicótica competitiva (dígitos e dissílabos), integração binaural, figura-fundo, fechamento auditivo, resolução e ordenação temporal, além de um questionário de autopercepção direcionado aos escolares, baseado no instrumento "Scale of Auditory Behaviors ." Resultados o escore médio obtido no questionário foi de 44,75 ± 6,3 pontos. A partir do desempenho em cada atividade, foram realizadas melhorias no teste de fechamento auditivo e temporais; redução e definição do protocolo de pesquisa para adequar o tempo de aplicação. Observou-se a necessidade de dois módulos, divididos para crianças na faixa etária de 6 a 8 anos e de 9 a 12 anos, e o acréscimo de duas versões do questionário, direcionados para os pais e professores. Conclusão o desenvolvimento do audBility é um avanço na área do processamento auditivo e triagem escolar. A validação do audBility está sendo realizada com o aumento da amostra e comparação com a bateria diagnóstica. Os resultados iniciais possibilitaram o desenvolvimento da versão final do protocolo a ser utilizado no estudo de validação.

ABSTRACT Purpose To study an initial version of a new computer-based program for auditory processing screening of school-age children: "audBility." Specifically, the study aimed to analyze performance in individual tasks, level of difficulty per age group, administration time and data management and propose adjustments for a final version to be validated in future research, based on the administration of "audBility" on children with good school performance. Methods Forty-three school-age children with good school performance were selected. The program assesses hearing skills related to sound localization, competitive dichotic listening, binaural integration, auditory figure-ground, auditory closure, temporal resolution and temporal ordering, as well as a self-perception questionnaire answered by the children. Results The mean score obtained in the questionnaire was 44.75 ± 6.3. Based on the analysis of performance in the individual tasks, improvements were made in the auditory closure and temporal resolution tests and also the research protocol was reduced and defined to adjust to administration time. It was identified a necessity of two separate modules: one for the age groups of 6 to 8 and other for 9 to 12 years, beyond the inclusion of two new versions of the questionnaire that can be answered by teachers and/or parents. Conclusion The development of audBility is an advance in the area of central auditory processing screening in school-age children. New researches for the validation of audBility are underway, with an increased sample and comparison with the diagnostic battery. The initial results enabled the development of the final version of the protocol to be used in the validation study.

[Answers and latencies dichotic digit test normoacoustic majoring in hearing]. / Patrón de repuestas y latencias ern test de dígitos dicóticos en normoacústicos con especialización auditiva.

Neurocognitive assessment by dichotic digit test provides selective stimulation of auditory pathway with contralateral suppression of the ipsilateral showing interhemispheric differences in concurrent tasks. In order to recognize the pattern of responses, recovery order of digits and latencies heard the original test was modified with the addition of a record of an audio track of the responses. The sample includes subjects with a history in hearing specialization linked to the music and listen to comprehensive second language, normoacoustic without otologic diseases or neurological. Sets 20 pairs of dichotic digits with a digital recording for recording the subject's responses was used. The results reveal: right ear advantage in the pattern of correct answers and the order in which the information provided is retrieved. As for the pattern of intrasets latencies an increase to the fourth repeated / digit recovered and more blunder is observed. Declining intratest latencies in the second part of the test suggest positive training. These modifications allow new prospects and existing applications with behavioral tests.

Benchmarks for the Dichotic Sentence Identification test in Brazilian Portuguese for ear and age / Valores de referência para o teste de identificação de sentenças dicóticas em português brasileiro segundo orelha e idade

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Dichotic listening tests should be used in local languages and adapted for the population. OBJECTIVE: Standardize the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Dichotic Sentence Identification test in normal listeners, comparing the performance for age and ear. METHODS: This prospective study included 200 normal listeners divided into four groups according to age: 13-19 years (GI), 20-29 years (GII), 30-39 years (GIII), and 40-49 years (GIV). The Dichotic Sentence Identification was applied in four stages: training, binaural integration and directed sound from right and left. RESULTS: Better results for the right ear were observed in the stages of binaural integration in all assessed groups. There was a negative correlation between age and percentage of correct responses in both ears for free report and training. The worst performance in all stages of the test was observed for the age group 40-49 years old. CONCLUSIONS: Reference values for the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Dichotic Sentence Identification test in normal listeners aged 13-49 years were established according to age, ear, and test stage; they should be used as benchmarks when evaluating individuals with these characteristics.

RESUMO Introdução: Os testes de escuta dicótica devem ser utilizados na língua nativa e adaptados para a população alvo. Objetivo: Estabelecer critérios de referência para o teste DSI em indivíduos normouvintes segundo a orelha, faixa etária e etapa do teste. Método: Estudo prospectivo transversal com 200 indivíduos normouvintes, separados em quatro grupos: 13 a 19 anos (GI), 20 a 29 anos (GII), 30 a 39 anos (GIII) e 40 a 49 anos (GIV). O teste DSI foi aplicado em quatro etapas: Treino, integração binaural, escuta direcionada direita e esquerda. Resultados: Foram observados melhores resultados para a orelha direita nas etapas de integração binaural em todos os grupos avaliados. Houve correlação negativa entre a porcentagem de acertos e a idade, bilateralmente, para as etapas de treino e integração binaural. O pior desempenho, em todas as etapas do teste, foi observado para a faixa etária de 40 a 49 anos de idade. Conclusões: Os valores de referência para a versão em português brasileiro do teste DSI em indivíduos normouvintes de 13 a 49 anos de idade foram estabelecidos segundo a idade, orelha e etapa do teste e devem ser utilizados como padrões de referência na avaliação dos indivíduos com essas características.

Benchmarks for the Dichotic Sentence Identification test in Brazilian Portuguese for ear and age.

INTRODUCTION: Dichotic listening tests should be used in local languages and adapted for the population. OBJECTIVE: Standardize the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Dichotic Sentence Identification test in normal listeners, comparing the performance for age and ear. METHODS: This prospective study included 200 normal listeners divided into four groups according to age: 13-19 years (GI), 20-29 years (GII), 30-39 years (GIII), and 40-49 years (GIV). The Dichotic Sentence Identification was applied in four stages: training, binaural integration and directed sound from right and left. RESULTS: Better results for the right ear were observed in the stages of binaural integration in all assessed groups. There was a negative correlation between age and percentage of correct responses in both ears for free report and training. The worst performance in all stages of the test was observed for the age group 40-49 years old. CONCLUSIONS: Reference values for the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Dichotic Sentence Identification test in normal listeners aged 13-49 years were established according to age, ear, and test stage; they should be used as benchmarks when evaluating individuals with these characteristics.

Audiometric thresholds and auditory processing in children with early malnutrition: a retrospective cohort study / Limiares audiométricos e processamento auditivo em crianças com subnutrição precoce: um estudo retrospectivo de coorte

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is one of the causes of changes in cell metabolism. The inner ear has few energy reserves and high metabolism. The aim of this study was to analyze whether malnutrition at an early age is related to impairment of auditory processing abilities and hearing abnormalities. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary public hospital. METHODS: 45 children participated, divided as follows: G1, children diagnosed with malnutrition in their first two years of life; G2, children without history of malnutrition but with learning difficulties; G3, children without history of malnutrition and without learning difficulties. Tympanometry, pure-tone audiometry and the Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW) test (auditory processing) were performed. Statistical inferences were made using the Kruskal-Wallis test (α = 5%) and the test of equality of proportions between two samples (α = 1.7%). RESULTS: None of the 45 children participating in this study presented hearing deficiencies. However, at six of the eight frequencies analyzed, the children in G1 presented hearing thresholds lower than those of the other groups. In the auditory processing evaluation test, it was observed that 100% of the children in G1 presented abnormal auditory processing and that G1 and G2 had similar proportions of abnormalities (P-values: G1/G2 = 0.1; G1/G3 > 0.001; G2/G3 = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition at an early age caused lowering of the hearing levels, although this impairment could not be considered to be a hearing deficiency. Every child in this group presented abnormalities in auditory processing abilities. .

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A subnutrição é uma das causas das alterações no metabolismo celular. A orelha interna possui poucas reservas energéticas e alto metabolismo. O objetivo deste estudo foi de analisar se a subnutrição em idade precoce está relacionada a prejuízos em habilidades do processamento auditivo e a alterações auditivas. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo conduzido em hospital público terciário. MÉTODOS: Participaram 45 crianças divididas em: G1, crianças que tiveram o diagnóstico de subnutrição nos dois primeiros anos de vida; G2, crianças sem histórico de subnutrição, mas com dificuldades de aprendizagem; G3, crianças sem histórico de subnutrição e sem dificuldades escolares. Realizou-se a timpanometria, audiometria tonal limiar e o teste de SSW [Staggered Spondaic Word] (processamento auditivo). Para a inferência estatística, usou-se o Kruskal-Wallis (α = 5%) e o teste igualdade de proporções entre duas amostras (α = 1,7%). RESULTADOS: Nenhuma das 45 crianças participantes neste estudo apresentou deficiência auditiva, porém em seis das oito frequências avaliadas, as crianças do G1 apresentaram limiares auditivos rebaixados quando comparadas às de outros grupos. No teste que avaliou o processamento auditivo, constatou-se que 100% das crianças do G1 possuem alteração do processamento auditivo, e que G1 e G2 possuem proporção semelhante de presença de alterações (valor de P: G1/G2 = 0,1; G1/G3 = > 0,001; G2/G3 = 0,008). CONCLUSÕES: A subnutrição em idade precoce causou rebaixamento nos níveis de audição, apesar de este prejuízo auditivo não ser considerado como deficiência auditiva. Todas as crianças ...

Audiometric thresholds and auditory processing in children with early malnutrition: a retrospective cohort study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is one of the causes of changes in cell metabolism. The inner ear has few energy reserves and high metabolism. The aim of this study was to analyze whether malnutrition at an early age is related to impairment of auditory processing abilities and hearing abnormalities. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary public hospital. METHODS: 45 children participated, divided as follows: G1, children diagnosed with malnutrition in their first two years of life; G2, children without history of malnutrition but with learning difficulties; G3, children without history of malnutrition and without learning difficulties. Tympanometry, pure-tone audiometry and the Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW) test (auditory processing) were performed. Statistical inferences were made using the Kruskal-Wallis test (α = 5%) and the test of equality of proportions between two samples (α = 1.7%). RESULTS: None of the 45 children participating in this study presented hearing deficiencies. However, at six of the eight frequencies analyzed, the children in G1 presented hearing thresholds lower than those of the other groups. In the auditory processing evaluation test, it was observed that 100% of the children in G1 presented abnormal auditory processing and that G1 and G2 had similar proportions of abnormalities (P-values: G1/G2 = 0.1; G1/G3 > 0.001; G2/G3 = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition at an early age caused lowering of the hearing levels, although this impairment could not be considered to be a hearing deficiency. Every child in this group presented abnormalities in auditory processing abilities.

Resolução temporal em perdas auditivas sensorioneurais / Temporal resolution in sensorineural hearing loss

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a resolução temporal em adultos com perdas auditivas sensorioneurais de graus leve e moderado, por meio do teste Gaps in Noise (GIN), a fim de verificar se essas perdas influenciam no desempenho do teste. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 57 pacientes, com idades entre 20 e 59 anos (30 homens e 27 mulheres), que realizaram anamnese, avaliação otorrinolaringológica, avaliação audiológica básica e triagem do processamento auditivo, com o teste Dicótico de Dígitos. Os sujeitos foram alocados nos grupos G1 (audição normal), G2 (perda auditiva leve) e G3 (perda moderada). Foi realizada análise estatística apropriada e o nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. RESULTADOS: Observou-se presença significativa de homens no grupo com perda auditiva. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas no desempenho do referido teste entre os grupos. Porém, no grupo controle, foram observados piores desempenhos, quando comparados com o critério de normalidade previsto para adultos jovens brasileiros. A média do limiar de detecção de gaps, da amostra geral, foi de 8,2 ms, em ambas as orelhas, e a média das porcentagens de acertos foi de 49,7% para a orelha direita (OD) e de 50,6% para a orelha esquerda (OE). CONCLUSÃO: A habilidade de resolução temporal avaliada pelo teste GIN não sofre influência da perda auditiva sensorioneural de graus leve e moderado, tanto nos limiares de detecção de gaps quanto na porcentagem de acertos, em ambas as orelhas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate temporal resolution in adults with mild and moderate sensorineural hearing loss using the Gaps in Noise (GIN) test to determine whether these losses affect the test performance. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients between 20 and 59 years of age (30 men and 27 women) were evaluated; these patients had a complete medical history taken and underwent ENT examination, basic audiological evaluation, and auditory screening via the dichotic digits test. The subjects were divided into three groups: G1 (normal hearing), G2 (mild hearing loss), and G3 (moderate hearing loss). The appropriate statistical analysis was performed, and the adopted level of significance was 5%. RESULTS: A significant proportion of men was observed in the group with hearing loss. There were no significant differences in test performance between the groups. However, the control group's performance was worse than the normality criteria set for young Brazilian adults. The mean gap detection threshold for the total sample was 8.2 ms in both ears, and the mean percentage of correct responses was 49.7% for the right ear (RE) and 50.6% for the left ear (LE). CONCLUSION: The temporal resolution evaluated by the GIN test was not influenced by mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss either in the gap detection thresholds or in the percentage of correct responses for both ears.

Stroke caused auditory attention deficits in children.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the auditory selective attention in children with stroke. METHODS: Dichotic tests of binaural separation (non-verbal and consonant-vowel) and binaural integration - digits and Staggered Spondaic Words Test (SSW) - were applied in 13 children (7 boys), from 7 to 16 years, with unilateral stroke confirmed by neurological examination and neuroimaging. RESULTS: The attention performance showed significant differences in comparison to the control group in both kinds of tests. In the non-verbal test, identifications the ear opposite the lesion in the free recall stage was diminished and, in the following stages, a difficulty in directing attention was detected. In the consonant- vowel test, a modification in perceptual asymmetry and difficulty in focusing in the attended stages was found. In the digits and SSW tests, ipsilateral, contralateral and bilateral deficits were detected, depending on the characteristics of the lesions and demand of the task. CONCLUSION: Stroke caused auditory attention deficits when dealing with simultaneous sources of auditory information.

Stroke caused auditory attention deficits in children / Acidente vascular cerebral causa défices da atenção seletiva auditiva em crianças

OBJECTIVE: To verify the auditory selective attention in children with stroke. METHODS: Dichotic tests of binaural separation (non-verbal and consonant-vowel) and binaural integration - digits and Staggered Spondaic Words Test (SSW) - were applied in 13 children (7 boys), from 7 to 16 years, with unilateral stroke confirmed by neurological examination and neuroimaging. RESULTS: The attention performance showed significant differences in comparison to the control group in both kinds of tests. In the non-verbal test, identifications the ear opposite the lesion in the free recall stage was diminished and, in the following stages, a difficulty in directing attention was detected. In the consonant- vowel test, a modification in perceptual asymmetry and difficulty in focusing in the attended stages was found. In the digits and SSW tests, ipsilateral, contralateral and bilateral deficits were detected, depending on the characteristics of the lesions and demand of the task. CONCLUSION: Stroke caused auditory attention deficits when dealing with simultaneous sources of auditory information.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a habilidade de atenção seletiva em crianças com acidente vascular cerebral (AVC). MÉTODOS: Foram aplicados testes dicóticos de separação (não verbal e consoante-vogal) e integração - dígitos e Staggered Spondaic Words Test (SSW) - binaural em 13 crianças (7 meninos), entre 7 e 16 anos, com AVC unilateral confirmado por neuroimagem. RESULTADOS: O desempenho atencional diferiu entre os grupos na realização de ambos os tipos de tarefa. Ao teste não verbal, houve menor quantidade de identificações com a orelha contralateral à lesão em atenção livre e dificuldade de focalizar a atenção nas etapas direcionadas. No teste consoante-vogal, houve modificação da assimetria perceptual e dificuldade de focalizar a atenção nas etapas direcionadas. Nos testes de dígitos e SSW, foram constatados défices ipsilaterais, contralaterais e bilaterais dependendo das características da lesão e da demanda da tarefa. CONCLUSÃO: As crianças com AVC apresentaram défices na habilidade de atenção seletiva em presença de fontes simultâneas de informação auditiva verbal e não verbal.

Dichotic listening test in patients with chronic cerebellar disease.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to identify alterations in the auditory processing of patients with chronic cerebellar disease using a dichotic listening test with alternating dissyllables, also known as the Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW) test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study involving a control group of 20 subjects and a study group of 18 patients with chronic cerebellar disease of both sexes aged between 9 and 56 years was performed. The SSW test was conducted in accordance with strict standard protocols along with the analysis procedures. RESULTS: Findings revealed a statistically significant difference in the quantitative alterations on the SSW test in the study group compared with the control group (P < .001). Results of the qualitative evaluation showed no statistically significant differences between the study and control groups for order or auditory effects. However, a statistically significant difference for presence of inversions was identified, with the worse result in the study group. CONCLUSION: The present study identified quantitative and qualitative changes in auditory processing for decodifying, gradual memory loss, and organization modes on the dichotic listening test with alternating dissyllables (SSW) in individuals with chronic cerebellar disease.

Teste de escuta dicótica utilizando dígitos em indivíduos idosos / Dichotic hearing digit test in elderly people

O objetivo do trabalho foi o de caracterizar o desempenho no teste Dicótico de Dígitos em idosos com e sem perda auditiva. Participaram do trabalho 30 idosos selecionados a partir dos resultados encontrados na audiometria tonal liminar, indivíduos com e sem perda auditiva, separados por grupos de acordo com a configuração da curva audiométrica. Foi aplicado o teste Dicótico de Dígitos integração binaural na intensidade de 50dBNPS acima da média de 500, 1000 e 2000Hz, para cada orelha. Os resultados mostraram que os índices de acertos no teste dicótico de dígitos comparando a orelha direita com a orelha esquerda não apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes. Houve respostas estatisticamente significantes quando considerada a variável grupo de idosos; e o valor médio de acertos no grupo com acuidade auditiva normal foi de 88 por cento de acertos.

Avaliaçäo do PAC em crianças portadoras de transtornos da aprendizagem / Central auditory processing evaluation in learning disabled school-aged children

Crianças portadoras de Transtornos da Aprendizagem necessitam uma abordagem educacional/habilitativa multidisciplinar. As autoras têm o objetivo de enfatizar a contribuição dos dados de Processamento Auditivo Central para a identificação do conjunto de diferentes aspectos que compõem tal afecção, e para a elaboração de diretrizes eficientes para o planejamento de programas de intervenção.

Dichotic words listening test. Technical aspects and results in normal right-handed individuals.

Dichotic listening tests have been being used in an increasing frequency to determine in a non-invasive way the cerebral dominance in right- and left-handed patients. This is especially relevant when surgery in eloquent brain areas is being contemplated. A Portuguese version of the dichotic words listening test was developed based mainly on Wexler's protocol. It consisted of 15 pairs of words with a stimulus dominance lower than 50%. They were recorded using natural voice and time and intensity synchronization by means of a specialized software. Each pair of words was presented twice in different channels within each block. The items were randomized and presented with a 300 msec interval between each trial. Four blocks of 30 pairs of words each were created, totalizing 120 trials. In the scoring process, the words heard over the right and left ears were wrote down. The number of times each word was heard over each ear was computed and their values subtracted yielding a partial score for each specific word pair. This process was repeated for all stimuli pair and a final score for right and left predominance was then reached. Thirty-two right handed normal individuals underwent the test. 93.8% showed a right ear advantage. These results are very similar to the actual left hemisphere dominance rate in a right-handed population.

Dichoit words listening test: technical aspects and results in normal right-handed individuals

Testes de audiçäo dicótica vêm sendo cada vez mais empregados na determinaçäo da dominância hemisférica para linguagem sem a utilizaçäo de métodos invasivos em pacientes destros e canhotos. Isto é especialmente importante quando cirurgias em áreas eloquentes do cérebro estäo sendo planejadas. Uma versäo em português deste teste foi criada baseada principalmente no protocolo de Wexler. Ele consistiu de 15 pares de palavras com uma dominância de estímulo menor que 50 por cento. Estas palavras foram gravadas com voz natural e com sincronizaçäo de ínicio de apresentaçäo e intensidade por meio da utilizaçäo de programa de computador especializado. Cada par de palavras era apresentado duas vezes em diferentes canais em cada bloco. Os itens foram randomizados e apresentados com um intervalo de 300 msec entre cada amostragem. Quatro blocos de 30 pares cada foram criados, totalizando 120 amostragens. Na quantificaçäo do teste, as palavras ouvidas nos ouvidos esquerdo e direito eram computadas. Em cada par, os valores obtidos à esquerda e à direita eram subtraídos, dando origem a um resultado parcial para cada par de estímulos. Este processo era repetido para todos os estímulos e um resultado final de predominância esquerda/direita era alcançado. Trinta e dois indivíduos normais foram submetidos a este teste. Trinta deles mostraram superioridade de ouvido direito. Estes achados säo bastante próximos do valor real da dominância hemisférica esquerda em uma populaçäo destra