PP1003 - Clinical Use of Electrophysiology in Central Auditory Processing Disorder Evaluation

POSTERS

Location: Halls A1-A2

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Lead Presenter(s)

Kayla Chase

Idaho State University

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

PDF Handouts Slides

Contributor(s)

CB

Curtis Billings

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Deborah Vieira

Clinical Assistant Professor, Externship Coordinator
Idaho State University
Idaho State University

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Abstract:
This study surveyed clinical audiologists and related professionals regarding their use of electrophysiological tests in the evaluation and diagnosis of central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). Participants were asked questions regarding the general demographics of their practice, the type of electrophysiological tests used, and how these tests are being used during CAPD evaluation. Survey responses from clinicians will help clarify which electrophysiologic tests are being used effectively in the evaluation and diagnosis of central auditory processing disorder.

Summary:
Rational/

Purpose:
To diagnose central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), it has been suggested a clinician should be able to identify a difficulty in the perceptual processing of auditory information in the central nervous system. In addition, the auditory difficulty should not be due to learning, speech, language, attention, or cognitive deficits, although it may present simultaneously with these other conditions. The evaluation process becomes difficult because CAPD is associated with and can contribute to difficulties in those domains. Due to the frequency of comorbidities and the resulting complexity of the diagnosis process, electrophysiology has been suggested as a tool to provide objectivity in CAPD evaluation.

While many types of electrophysiological tests have been proposed in the evaluation of CAPD, there is not a clear consensus regarding which potentials are recommended in a given situation. The AAA position statement on central auditory processing disorder identifies the following electrophysiologic tests for their potential utility in diagnosing CAPD: speech evoked auditory brainstem response (s-ABR), auditory middle latency response (AMLR), auditory late response (ALR), P300, and the mismatch negativity response (MMN). The purpose of this study was to determine what measures are being used effectively by professionals evaluating CAPD.

Methods:
A survey was conducted to collect information from clinical audiologists and related professionals regarding their practice demographics, types of electrophysiological tests used, and how electrophysiologic tests are used as part of a larger test battery for CAPD diagnosis. The online Qualtrics survey questions were developed based on informal discussions with audiologists and a review of the CAPD/electrophysiology literature. Invitations to participate were distributed via e-mail listservs, online forums, and through quick-response (QR) codes. All responses were collected anonymously.

Results:
The frequency of use of each electrophysiologic measure (i.e. s-ABR, AMLR, ALR, etc.) will be presented. In addition, the specific purposes of use and related strengths and weaknesses of each measure will be discussed. Data will be presented regarding clinician demographics (e.g., how long they have been performing CAPD evaluations and where they gained their expertise in the use of electrophysiological tests to diagnose CAPD). Additionally, survey responses regarding methodological considerations (e.g., stimuli used and acquisition settings) and potential barriers of use will be shared.

Conclusions:
Survey responses from clinicians help to solidify what electrophysiological test procedures are being used for CAPD evaluation and how effective they are as an additional tool in the evaluation and diagnostic process.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the possible benefit of electrophysiology tests in the evaluation of central auditory processing disorder.
Upon completion, participants will be able to recognize different types of auditory evoked potentials and their usefulness in evaluating central auditory processing deficits.
Upon completion, participants will be able to identify how different electrophysiological tests could be used in central auditory processing disorder evaluation based on clinician response.