Comparing outcome of formal and informal remediation programs in children with central auditory processing disorder

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of central auditory processing rehabilitation when using two different strategies: In the first strategy, computer-based remediation program (temporal processing and phonemic awareness training) was used. In the second strategy, informal remediation program (temporal processing and phonemic awareness training) was used. Patients and methods: Fifty children with learning disability due to Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) were selected from primary schools in Assiut city. They were subjected to psychophysical test battery. It comprised dichotic digits, pitch pattern sequence, auditory fusion test and electrophysiological test (cortical P1). They were divided into two equal groups (A and B): group A received the formal auditory training (AT) and group B received the informal AT for a minimum duration of 2 months. Re-evaluation of those children was performed using the same test battery used in the diagnosis. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in all psychophysical tests and electrophysiological P1. Subjective improvement was noticed also at the level of the questionnaire. Conclusion: Both formal and informal remediation programs used in this study proved to be effective and promising AT strategies for ameliorating central auditory disorder.