AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER IN CHILDREN: INTEREST OF A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ASSESMENT

摘要

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) affects 0.5-7% of the pediatric population. This disorder is responsible for a child's low hearing ability. The diagnosis of APD is difficult because of polymorphic symptoms possibly entangled with other difficulties (learning, communication, attention ...). We opened a multi-disciplinary consultation for the children suspected of APD. The purpose of this study is to analyze this multi-disciplinary assessment. 32 children benefited from a multidisciplinary consultation with: - targeted behavioral assessment APD: speech-in-noise perception, dichotic listening test, temporal processing tests. - psychometric assessment: assessment of visual / auditory working memory, visual / auditory attention, study of cognitive functions. - ENT examination with otoscopy, tonal and vocal audiometry and ABR recording. The main reason for consultation was linked to difficulties to understand in the noise for 52% of patients. A diagnosis of APD was reached for 9 children (39% of cases), this diagnosis was ruled out for 11 children and remained doubtful in 3 cases. The average age was 10 years old. 9 patients were excluded from the study. Associated disabilities were found in 2/3 of the children. Auditory Processing Disorder is a common pathological condition that remains difficult to diagnose. Today, this diagnosis is based on several arguments, facilitated by a multi-disciplinary approach, allowing to propose an adequate remediation.