A European Perspective on Auditory Processing Disorder-Current Knowledge and Future Research Focus

Current notions of “hearing impairment,” as reflected in clinical audiological practice, do not acknowledge the needs of individuals who have normal hearing pure tone sensitivity but who experience auditory processing difficulties in everyday life that are indexed by reduced performance in other more sophisticated audiometric tests such as speech audiometry in noise or complex non-speech sound perception. This disorder, defined as “Auditory Processing Disorder” (APD) or “Central Auditory Processing Disorder” is classified in the current tenth version of the International Classification of diseases as H93.25 and in the forthcoming beta eleventh version. APDs may have detrimental effects on the affected individual, with low esteem, anxiety, and depression, and symptoms may remain into adulthood. These disorders may interfere with learning per se and with communication, social, emotional, and academic-work aspects of life. The objective of the present paper is to define a baseline European APD consensus formulated by experienced clinicians and researchers in this specific field of human auditory science. A secondary aim is to identify issues that future research needs to address in order to further clarify the nature of APD and thus assist in optimum diagnosis and evidence-based management. This European consensus presents the main symptoms, conditions, and specific medical history elements that should lead to auditory processing evaluation. Consensus on definition of the disorder, optimum diagnostic pathway, and appropriate management are highlighted alongside a perspective on future research focus

Limites de l'étude des potentiels évoqués auditifs précoces dans le diagnostic de la surdité de l'enfant.

The author presents the results of his experience concerning brain stem evoked response in children. 122 cases are put forth. It shows that although behavioral audiometry is impossible in 7% of the cases, the BERA (Brain stem Evoked Response Audiology) is not reliable in 26.5% of the treble frequencies and 36% of the bass frequencies. Thus, it is not possible to equip children with hearing aids based on this given alone

The Visuo-Spatial Abilities Diagnosis (VSAD) test: Evaluating the potential cognitive difficulties of children with vestibular impairment through a new tablet-based computerized test battery

Recent data collected on adult patients with vestibular loss (VL) tend to demonstrate possible cognitive impairments in visuospatial working memory, mental rotation, selective attention, and space orientation. However, the neuropsychological profile of children with VL remains largely under-investigated in the scientific literature. Although previous research has shown that children with VL may experience some degree of delayed motor development, it is not yet clear if VL could also lead to specific delayed cognitive development. In this study, we will present the development and validation of a new tablet-based computerized test battery (VSAD) that evaluates visuospatial working memory, mental rotation, selective attention, and space orientation abilities. Thirteen children with VL and 54 average-age matched healthy children performed the VSAD and classical paper-and-pencil neuropsychological tasks twice within a 1-month interval. Our results demonstrated a good concurrent validity with strong correlations between the visuospatial working memory, mental rotation, and space orientation tests of the VSAD and classical tasks. Test–retest reliability was also supported through good intra-class coefficients. However, the test of selective attention showed no concurrent validity with the matched classical task. The discriminant validity of the VSAD was partially supported for visuospatial working memory and mental rotation performance accuracy. The VSAD shows good concurrent validity and reliability for measuring visuospatial working memory, mental rotation, and space orientation in children with VL. Future studies are needed to extend discriminant validity with other populations.SCOPUS: ar.jDecretOANoAutActifinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Comparison of hearing outcomes obtained with intra-cochlea, auditory nerve or ponto-cerebellar angle electrical stimulation by an auditory implant

To verify if it is possible to provide hearing perception by selective stimulation of only the internal auditory canal (IAC) or ponto-cerebellar angle (PCA) electrodes

Syndrome de Guillain-Barré et hypoacousie.

Guillain-Barré's Syndrome and hearing loss. A child presenting Guillain-Barré's syndrome, together with bilateral hearing loss is presented. The incidence of hypoacusis is unknown. The necessity of behavioural audiometry and electrophysiologic testing is stressed.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe