Auditory processing assessment in older people with no report of hearing disability.
In the elderly, the results of central auditory pathways behavioral assessments are considered to be difficult to read because of the possible interference of peripheral auditory pathway involvement.


OBJECTIVE
Assess the efficacy of the central auditory function in elderly patients who do not complain of hearing.


METHODS
Case study involving 40 individuals within the age range of 60 to 75 years. The patients underwent auditory processing evaluation based on anamnesis, otorhinolaryngological exam, threshold tonal audiometry, speech recognition threshold, speech recognition index, immittance measures, stapes reflex study, synthetic phrases identification test with ipsilateral competitive message, frequency pattern test and alternate twin-syllable test through dichotic task; age range and hearing loss influenced results from the phrases identification with ipsilateral competitive message. Percentages of right answers below normal standards were seen in the three tests that assessed the central auditory functions.


CONCLUSIONS
Elderly individuals who did not complain of hearing presented relevant prevalence of signs of central auditory function inefficiencies.
Sanchez
Maura Ligia
ML
Speech and Hearing Therapist, MSc. Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery - Federal University of São Paulo Medical School (UNIFESP-EPM).
Nunes
Flavio Barbosa
FB
Otorhinolaryngologist. PhD student - Surgery Department - University of Minas Gerais Medical School (HC-UFMG).
Barros
Flavia
F
Speech and Hearing Therapist, MSc. Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery - Federal University of São Paulo Medical School (UNIFESP-EPM).
Ganança
Mauricio Malavasi
MM
Full Professor of Otorhinolaryngology - Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery - Federal University of São Paulo Medical School (UNIFESP-EPM).
Caovilla
Heloisa Helena
HH
Associate Professor of Neurotology - Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery - Federal University of São Paulo Medical School (UNIFESP-EPM); Disciplina de Otoneurologia da Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM).
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000368:Aged; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D001308:Auditory Perceptual Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*