HESP Seminar, Samira Anderson (HESP)

Title: Neural correlates of auditory processing disorders in children

Abstract: Awareness of auditory processing disorders (APD) among parents and educators is rising, along with an increased demand for diagnostic and management services for children with APD. Yet, few audiologists perform APD diagnostic evaluations, in part due limitations in the current behavioral test battery. The cABR, or the auditory brainstem response to complex sounds (e.g., speech), can detect impairments in auditory temporal processing that underlie decoding deficits associated with APD. Because the cABR is measured passively without requiring a response from the child, it can be performed in children who are considered too young to be tested with the traditional behavioral APD battery. Previous studies have demonstrated a relationship between cABR variables and measures of communication and academic skills in preschool and school age children. I will present preliminary data from a study that is evaluating the feasibility of using the cABR in infants to predict early language skills.