Test–retest reliability of sound-field localization test in normal-hearing children

Abstract

Purpose: Traditionally, auditory spatial acuity is assessed using a sound-field localization test that involves the auditory stimuli emitted from array of loudspeakers in a sound-treated room. Although the use of loudspeakers mimics real life environments, its reliability has not been evaluated in children. Thus, the present study examined the test–retest reliability of sound-field localization test in school-aged normal-hearing children. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four typically-developing children in the age range of 7–12 years (Mage: 9.97 ± 0.88) participated in the study. Localization testing was carried out twice on all the participants using an array of 18 loudspeakers (spaced 20° apart) arranged in a circular form. A 500 ms broadband noise was randomly presented at each azimuth. The overall accuracy and quadrant-specific accuracy scores were compared between the two sessions. Results: The Wilcoxon sign rank test results showed no significant difference in overall (P = 0.58) and quadrant-wise accuracy scores between the two sessions. The intra-class correlation (ICC) results also demonstrated a high test–retest reliability (0.91) for the overall localization accuracy score. The results also showed low within-subject variability (5.78%) of overall scores with a minimal response bias of 7.56%. Conclusions: The present study’s results show a high test–retest reliability of the sound-field localization test, suggestive of its efficacy in assessing spatial processing abilities in school-aged children. High reliability of the test favors its application in localization assessment in children with spatial hearing disorders.