Behavioral and Electrophysiological Assessment of Central Auditory Processing in Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

Introduction

Sickle cell anemia has a genetic origin characterized by an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. The nervous system may be subject to vaso-occlusion and, consequently, affect the proper functioning of the central portion of hearing.

Objective

To assess central auditory skills and analyze short- and long-latency auditory evoked potentials in children with sickle cell disease.

Methods

Cross-sectional study. All children had normal hearing thresholds, and their central auditory processing underwent behavioral assessment with a battery of tests involving dichotic and monotic listening, binaural interaction, and temporal processing. The electrophysiological assessment used short- and long-latency auditory evoked potentials. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results

Of the 28 subjects evaluated (mean age of 9.46 years), 18 were females and 10 were males. Central auditory processing disorder was identified in 85.7% of the children. The auditory skills of figure-ground for verbal sounds, binaural interaction, and complex temporal ordering were the most affected. An increase in the absolute latencies of Waves III and V was observed in the short-latency potential.

Conclusion

Individuals with sickle cell disease have central auditory processing disorder, identified primarily by behavioral assessment.