Research (R)
Akshay Maggu, PhD (he/him/his)
Assistant Professor
Hofstra University
Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant financial relationships with anything to disclose.
Non-Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant non-financial relationships with anything to disclose.
Mansi Sinha Roy, BS (she/her/hers)
N/a
Hofstra University
Hofstra University
West Hempstead, New York
Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant financial relationships with anything to disclose.
Non-Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant non-financial relationships with anything to disclose.
As one of the most intriguing type of disorder in the field of Audiology, auditory processing disorder (APD) is affected by a range of challenges and controversies. One of the major challenges for APD diagnostics is whether or not to conduct multidomain testing (e.g., cognition). In the current study, we investigate the effect of cognitive performance on the behavioral tasks of basic auditory processing. Findings from the current study will have implications in making recommendations on whether a detailed testing of cognitive abilities is needed when evaluating for auditory processing via behavioral tasks.
Summary:
Auditory processing disorders (APD) is one of the most intriguing topics in the field of communication disorders. One of the primary concern with using the traditional diagnostic test batteries for APD is that they are affected by language and cognition (Maggu et al., 2021; Vermiglio, 2018). As a result, recently there have been suggestions on using basic behavioral tests that may limit the effect of cognitive aptitude on auditory processing (Maggu et al., 2021). In the current study, we seek to understand the effects of cognitive performance on basic auditory processing.
In the current study, we are aiming at recruiting 30 adult subjects (age range: 18-30 years) with hearing abilities within normative limits. For testing cognitive performance, we are conducting the following subtests of the NIH cognition toolbox (Weintraub et al., 2013): picture vocabulary test, Flanker inhibitory control and attention test, list sorting working memory test, dimensional change card sort test, pattern comparison processing speed test, and picture sequence memory test. For testing basic auditory processing, we are using the following subtests from the Portable Automatic Rapid Testing (Gallun et al., 2018): gap discrimination task, spatial release from masking, frequency modulation, spectrotemporal modulation, and dichotic sentence identification.
The study is currently ongoing, and we will have the final results analyzed by Jan 2023. We will conduct correlations between the results on cognitive performance and auditory processing to understand the relationship between the two.
At the completion of the study, we will be able to comment upon the effects of cognitive performance on auditory processing. Findings from the current study will have direct implications in making recommendations on whether a detailed testing of cognitive abilities is needed when evaluating for auditory processing via behavioral tasks.