Evaluation of Screening Instruments for Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) in a Sample of Referred Children

Abstract

There is increased recognition of auditory processing disorder (APD) as a significant disorder, predominantly of childhood, which typically has broad effects on the development of communication and educational and social skills. Accordingly, reconsideration of screening children for APD is warranted, either in whole populations or high risk groups. This study investigated the sensitivity and specificity of four instruments, audiological and non audiological, against diagnostic outcome in a clinical sample of 23 children, aged 7-10 years, referred for assessment of their auditory processing abilities. One instrument, the Competing Sentences Test, which is a subtest of the SCAN-A, met the study's statistical and practicality criteria for a potential screening test. A cut off score for the left ear of four out of 10 gave a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 61%. Further research is needed to test the Competing Sentences Test, and other instruments, on larger samples of children for their potential as screening tests for APD.