Reduced speech-in-noise intelligibility is one of the main difficulties experienced by children with auditory processing disorder (APD). Previous studies have established a relationship between the function of the medial olivocochlear system (MOCS) and reduced inhibition of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) in children with APD. This study measured spontaneous OAE (SOAE) in 27 children with reduced speech-in-noise intelligibility, and those of a control group matched by gender and age. A significantly higher prevalence of SOAE was found: 85% of the study group presented SOAE, 44% in the control group. An abnormally functioning MOCS with reduced inhibition could lead to an increase in SOAE. Identifying a higher prevalence and number of SOAE may be a helpful objective mean to include in an APD diagnosis test battery.

Keywords:
Auditory processing disorders, Children, Medial olivocochlear system, Otoacoustic emissions, Speech intelligibility, Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions
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2008
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