Central auditory processing and word discrimination in patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Many multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with normal pure tone threshold suffer from difficulties in their hearing especially speech perception in background noise, which is possibly because of incompetence of central auditory processing in this group. Three audiologic tests including gap in noise test (GIN), duration pattern sequence test (DPST) and word discrimination score (WDS) were used for comparing a number of aspects of central auditory processing between patients with MS and normal subjects. Approximate threshold and percent of correct answers in GIN test, percent of correct answers in DPST test and monosyllabic discrimination in WDS test were obtained through cross-sectional non-invasive study conducted on 26 subjects with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who had mean age of 28.9 (SD 4.1) years, and 26 18–40-year-old ones with normal hearing and mean age of 27.7 (SD 5.2). Results of this study demonstrate increased approximate threshold and reduction of percent of correct answers obtained from GIN test in patients with multiple sclerosis (Pv = 0.0001). Furthermore in patients with MS, the average of correct answers in DPST was lower than normal subjects and finally performance of MS subjects in WDS test in quiet environment was correlated with GIN threshold (r = −/624, Pr = /003). Results of the present study showed that patients with MS had defect in aspects of central auditory processing consisting of temporal resolution, auditory pattern and the memory for auditory task and difficulty in discrimination of speech in noisy environment that are related to the involvement of central nervous system.

Otolaryngologic Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis: A Review

“…In fact, the increased latencies in the conduction of the auditory impulse and the absence of wave V can be signs of central alteration 41 . Speech audiometry is particularly important to highlight the difficulty in speech perception-especially in noise 42 that is common in MS patients following abnormal auditory processing 43 or cognitive deficit that altered the word recognition ability 44 . In addition, attention and auditory discrimination, which are crucial aspects in binaural perception and in the integration of sounds, can be compromised in MS patient 43 .…”

“…Speech audiometry is particularly important to highlight the difficulty in speech perception-especially in noise 42 that is common in MS patients following abnormal auditory processing 43 or cognitive deficit that altered the word recognition ability 44 . In addition, attention and auditory discrimination, which are crucial aspects in binaural perception and in the integration of sounds, can be compromised in MS patient 43 . TEOAE and DPOAE phases that occur during the course of MS or to the use of corticosteroids which are able to fight the systemic inflammation generated by MS.…”

Central Auditory Processing Tests as Diagnostic Tools for the Early Identification of Elderly Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment

“…According to the developer’s opinion, two lists are sufficient to perform the GIN test; therefore, two lists were used to avoid subject fatigue and reduce test time as well. We used the GIN test originally developed by Musiek, et al [16,17].…”

Effect of integrated Yoga and Physical therapy on audiovisual reaction time, anxiety and depression in patients with chronic multiple sclerosis: a pilot study

“…Patients with chronic MS have a defect in aspects of central auditory processing with poorer hearing thresholds and increased auditory reaction times [4]. Chronic MS patients have been shown to have abnormalities in auditory evoked potentials, indicating dysfunction of different regions of the central auditory nervous system [5].…”