Effects of Auditory Training on the Development of Auditory Processing Skills in Individuals with Normal Hearing

Objective: Central auditory processing, a function of the hearing system extending from the cochlea to the cortex; acoustic signals are processed by the central hearing system to make them meaningful. Auditory processing skills include mechanisms for sound localization and lateralization, auditory discrimination, auditory pattern recognition, temporal aspects of audition, auditory performance with competing acoustic signals, and auditory performance with degraded acoustic signals. Auditory processing disorder (APD) refers to a decrease in performance in one or more of these skills and difficulties in the perceptual processing of auditory information. To provide an alternative training model for supporting central auditory processing skills by applying training to improve auditory processing skills, comparing pre- and post-training performance to individuals with normal hearing with auditory processing problems. Methods: In this study, 40 individuals (subject group (n = 20), control group (n = 20)) were included between 18 and 24 years of age who were found to have auditory processing difficulties although their hearing is within normal limits. Participants were given 4 hours of training each week for 3 weeks, and changes in pre-determined auditory skills (auditory memory, reading comprehension in noise, dichotic listening, etc.) of all individuals were evaluated. Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), Duration Pattern Test (DPT), Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT), and electrophysiological tests (P1-N1-P2 Complex and P300) were applied to all participants before and after training. Results: There was a significant difference in FPT, DPT, and RGDT, P300, and P1-N1-P2 complex values pre- and post-auditory training (AT) (P < .05). In comparisons made before and after training, there was an improvement in the auditory performance after the training according to the AT follow-up program. Conclusion: The AT program used in this study was found to be effective for improving auditory processing skills in individuals with normal hearing. It is thought that it would be useful to use the same program in the rehabilitation of individuals with hearing loss and APDs.