title: Auditory processing in children with normal and disordered speech.
abstract: Phonological speech disorders are characterized by abnormal development towards the adult target pattern; its etiology is unknown. It is thought the this condition results from auditory processing disorders involving the abilities required for human beings to understand what is heard.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between auditory processing and the acquisition of disordered or normal speech, drawing comparisons between these profiles.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, contemporary, cross-sectional study comprising a sample of 44 subjects aged 5 to 7 years; two groups were formed: a study group (SG) comprising children with disordered speech acquisition, and a control group (CG) consisting of children with normal speech acquisition. A simplified evaluation of auditory processing was undertaken: the PSI test in Portuguese; the speech-in-noise test; the binaural fusion test; the dichotic digit test; and the staggered spondaic word test (SSW).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups; the SG scored worse than the CG in all the tests. The PSI test only - with a 100% success rate - scored equally in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Auditory processing may affect speech development.
authors.affiliation: Santa Maria Federal University, Brazil. vgquintas@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Victor Gandra
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Quintas
authors.forename: Tiago Mendonça
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Attoni
authors.forename: Márcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keske-Soares
authors.forename: Carolina Lisbôa
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Mezzomo
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D001308:Auditory Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology