Binaural Interaction Component, Binaural Fusion Test and Masking Level Difference in Children at Risk of Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Abstract

To obtain the relationship between electrophysiological and behavioral test for assessing binaural interaction abilities in children at risk for CAPD.Objective: To assess binaural interaction abilities using electrophysiological test i.e. binaural interaction component (BIC) and with behavioral tests i.e. binaural fusion test and Masking level difference test in children at risk for CAPD. To find the correlation between subjective and objective tests used. A total of 30 children participated in the study, in which 15 participants in the clinical group who were at risk of CAPD and other 15 in the control group consists of typically developing children who were not identified as at risk for CAPD.Objective and subjective tests for assessing were carried out. The objective evaluation of binaural interaction were assessed by finding Binaural interaction component (BIC) using click evoked ABR. For the subjective evaluation of binaural interaction binaural fusion teat and making level difference test was carried out. There was a statistically significant difference between the results of children who were at risk for CAPD and age matched typically developing normal children in both subjective and objective tests. The results showed children who were at risk of CAPD performed poorer compared to the results of children who were not at risk for CAPD expect in MLD test , results were similar for both the group. The results showed that there is a strong negative correlation between BIC latency and binaural fusion test (r = -0.63, p<0.05). The finding indicates as latency of the BIC was prolonged (poorer), the BFT scores was also lesser (poorer) and vice versa. Electrophysiological test can be used to understand the behavioural problems in children at risk for CAPD along with other behavioral test. Use of electrophysiological tests along with behavioural measures should be encouraged while assessing these children so as to ascertain and confirm the diagnosis. Children with CAPD whom behavioural assessment becomes difficult, the electrophysiological testing can be used to make an estimate of their problem in real life scenario.