Assessment of Central Auditory Processing Functions in Children with History of Otitis Media

Background: Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) refers to difficulties in the perceptual processing of auditory information in the central nervous system. With the emergence of research that shows that 4 to 5 year old children with recurrent childhood otitis media have abnormal responses on auditory brainstem tests, the relationship between otitis media and CAPD is clear.Objectives: Evaluation of the effects of otitis media in children on central auditory processing functions. Methodology: Thirty children with age range from 7 to 10 years, right-handed with normal hearing level and past history of otitis media participated in this study. The results of low pass filtered speech and time compressed speech tests were compared to those of fifteen children with normal hearing level as a control group.Results: The study findings showed statistically significant difference between control group and study group as regards low pass filtered speech test with lower percentage in study group. Time compressed speech results revealed that there is significant difference in scoring between control group and study group with lower percentage in study group.Conclusion: Central auditory processing in children is affected by occurrence of otitis media early in their life as shown in lower scoring of results of low pass filtered speech and time compressed speech tests.