Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) performance of individuals with central auditory processing disorders from 5 to 25 years of age

Dias, Karin Ziliotto; Jutras, Benoît; Acrani, Isabela Olszanski; Pereira, Liliane Desgualdo

doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.10.022

« Previous Next »International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Volume 76, Issue 2 , Pages 174-178, February 2012

Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) performance of individuals with central auditory processing disorders from 5 to 25 years of age

Karin Ziliotto Dias
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Fonoaudiologia Rua Botucatu, 802, Vila Clementino/São Paulo/SP – Brazil CEP 04023-062. Tel.: +55 11 5549 7500.
Benoît Jutras
- School of Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of Montreal, P.O. Box 6128, Downtown Station, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3C 3J7
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada
Isabela Olszanski Acrani
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Corresponding author at: Rua Isac Theodoro de Lima, 300, Jardim Irajá/Ribeirão Preto/SP CEP 14020-540, Brazil. Tel.: +55 16 3623 4260.
Liliane Desgualdo Pereira
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Fonoaudiologia Rua Botucatu, 802, Vila Clementino/São Paulo/SP – Brazil CEP 04023-062. Tel.: +55 11 5549 7500.

Received 17 July 2011; received in revised form 21 October 2011; accepted 25 October 2011.

Abstract

Objective

The aim of the present study was to assess the auditory temporal resolution ability in individuals with central auditory processing disorders, to examine the maturation effect and to investigate the relationship between the performance on a temporal resolution test with the performance on other central auditory tests.

Methods

Participants were divided in two groups: 131 with Central Auditory Processing Disorder and 94 with normal auditory processing. They had pure-tone air-conduction thresholds no poorer than 15dB HL bilaterally, normal admittance measures and presence of acoustic reflexes. Also, they were assessed with a central auditory test battery. Participants who failed at least one or more tests were included in the Central Auditory Processing Disorder group and those in the control group obtained normal performance on all tests. Following the auditory processing assessment, the Random Gap Detection Test was administered to the participants. A three-way ANOVA was performed. Correlation analyses were also done between the four Random Gap Detection Test subtests data as well as between Random Gap Detection Test data and the other auditory processing test results.

Results

There was a significant difference between the age-group performances in children with and without Central Auditory Processing Disorder. Also, 48% of children with Central Auditory Processing Disorder failed the Random Gap Detection Test and the percentage decreased as a function of age. The highest percentage (86%) was found in the 5–6 year-old children. Furthermore, results revealed a strong significant correlation between the four Random Gap Detection Test subtests. There was a modest correlation between the Random Gap Detection Test results and the dichotic listening tests. No significant correlation was observed between the Random Gap Detection Test data and the results of the other tests in the battery.

Conclusion

Random Gap Detection Test should not be administered to children younger than 7 years old because other reduced capacities might influence their performance. Also, Random Gap Detection Test assesses a specific auditory ability, different than the one evaluated with the other auditory tests. Finally, it is suggested to test individuals at only one frequency of the Random Gap Detection Test because results provide similar information than when assessing them on all subtests.

Keywords: Auditory processing disorders, Random Gap Detection Test, Temporal resolution