Date of Award

Spring 2008

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Audiology (AuD)

Department

School of Communication

First Advisor

Sheryl Shoemaker

Abstract

(Central) auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is a condition in which individuals with normal hearing present with difficulties often associated with hearing loss. While there are currently many tests available for the CAPD assessment, there are very few therapies for the remediation of a CAPD. A new therapy program, called Dichotic Auditory Training (DAT), aimed at improving the performance of those individuals with CAPD, was the focus of this study. Eight children between the ages of seven and twelve went through the four week training. The Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW) test, the SCAN-C/A, and a test designed after the DAT were given prior to and immediately following training. The results from these tests were analyzed for statistically significant differences between pre- and post-testing. Statistically significant results were yielded for six of the nineteen different testing conditions. All conditions that yielded statistically significant were those associated with the dichotic presentation of words. These results are thought to be reflective of plastic changes occurring within the central auditory systems, and a direct result of the training the subjects underwent. The results from this study offer much promise for the future of the remediation of CAPD.

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