Development of A Duration Pattern Test to Assess Temporal Processing Abilities in Normal Hearing Young Adults.

Abstract

Introduction:Duration Pattern Test (DPT) is a test that can be used for evaluating central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). (Majak, Zamysłowska-Szmytke, Rajkowska, & Śliwińska-Kowalska, 2015). The current dissertation is mainly focused on developing normative data for DPT to use as a reference value to assess temporal processing abilities in Sri Lankan Sinhala speaking normal hearing young adults age ranging from 20.0-28.0 years due to the lack of evidence in normative data for DPT within Sinhala speaking population. Objectives: The general objective is to develop normative data for DPT in Sri Lankan Sinhala speaking young adults and specific objectives are to develop DPT, to determine normative data for DPT and to determine gender differences and intra-aural differences of DPT. Methodology: Descriptive cross sectional study was carried out with 128 (74 males and 74 females) for the main study and 20 participants for the pilot study were selected using purposive sampling method. The study setting was Audiology laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Prior to DPT, case history was taken and hearing screening tests were done to confirm individual subjects with normal hearing. Then DPT (stimuli will give by using GSI 61 Diagnostic Clinical Audiometer [Grason-Stadler, Inc]) was carried out and results were recorded. Data was analyzed descriptively. Non-parametric tests were used to find ear differences and gender differences. Results and conclusion: The reference value for Sinhala speaking young adults are 73% for both ears. There was no gender differences and intra-aural difference compared to previous studies (Majak et al, 2015; Fuente and McPherson, 2006 and Neijenhuis et al, 2001). Further development of a valid and reliable auditory processing test battery is required for Sinhala speaking population.