Accuracy of screening instruments in identifying central auditory processing disorders: an integrative literature review

Abstract

Purpose: to assess the literature about the accuracy of screening instruments for identifying the Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD). Methods: search strategies were performed in the following databases: CINAHL, LILACS, PubMed /MEDLINE, Scopus, Speechbite and Web of Science. A search was also carried out in the grey literature. Four independent reviewers selected the included articles using a two-phase process based on the eligibility criteria. Two reviewers independently collected the required information from the included articles. The diagnostic methods were minimal batteries of behavioral tests to assess auditory processing skills. Results: from 1,366 articles found on all databases, after analysis of title and abstract, 36 were selected for the next phase, when 5 articles were finally included. It was found that the studies included were related to five instruments applied in children. The specificity was higher than 70%, but just the Mottier test and Screening Test for Auditory Processing (STAP), and Screening Checklist for Auditory Processing (SCAP) showed sensibility higher than 70%. Conclusion: Mottier was the most accurate CAPD screening test. There was no homogeneity in the presentation of the pass/fail criterion, or in the gold reference test used to establish the presence of CAPD.