Auditory brainstem response and speech mismatch negativity in children with phonological disorders

Abstract

Objective This study was designed to explore the processing of auditory information through auditory brainstem and higher cortical regions in a sample of children with phonological errors compared to age-matched normal controls using AEPs. Subjects and Methods We recorded click and speech auditory brain-stem response and mismatch negativity in 30 children (15 children who were diagnosed clinically with phonological disorder, their ages ranged between 3.5-5.5 years, 15 children age-matched, sex matched and education matched with the study group, normal fluent speaker with no history of speech or language impairment). Results Absolute and inter-peak latency values of cABR demonstrated no statistically significant difference between the control and study groups. Moreover, All children had well identifiable and repeatable sABR and MMN but with delayed latencies in transient, transitional and sustained portions of speech-evoked ABR and MMN in study group when compared to control group. On the other hand, there were non significant difference as regard amplitude in the two groups as regard sABR and MMN. Conclusion Phonological disorder may affect the communication and language processes causing degradation of linguistic and para-linguistic information, also it can affect the quality of life and social interaction.