title: Efficacy of auditory training using the auditory brainstem response to complex sounds: auditory processing disorder and specific language impairment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study verified the efficacy of a formal auditory training (AT) program in children with hearing and language disorders using the auditory brainstem response to complex sounds (c-ABR) with and without background noise.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty children (7-13 years) were distributed into four groups: typical development (TD: n = 7), auditory processing disorder (APD: n = 9) and specific language disorder (SLIa: n = 6, and SLIb: n = 8). All children underwent behavioral assessment of auditory processing and c-ABR with and without background noise. The APD and SLIa groups underwent 8 weeks of formal AT, but all children were reevaluated 12 weeks after the initial assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The TD group presented better behavioral performance than the other groups. For c-ABR in silence, no significant differences were observed among groups or assessments, except regarding VA complex measures, which were altered in the APD group. For c-ABR with background noise, however, the APD, SLIa and SLIb groups presented delayed latencies. Groups that underwent formal AT improved behavioral performance and decreased latencies to c-ABR in background noise at final assessment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that efficacy of formal AT can be demonstrated by c-ABR with background noise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences and Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. refilippini.rf@gmail.com
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Filippini
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Befi-Lopes
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schochat
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D001308:Auditory Perceptual Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010470:Perceptual Masking / Q000502:physiology; D010700:Phonetics; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology