Results from a national central auditory processing disorder service: a "real world" assessment of diagnostic practices and remediation for CAPD
Date
2015-08Author
Cameron, Sharon
Glyde, Helen
Dillon, Harvey
King, Alison
Gillies, Karin
Metadata
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This article describes the development and evaluation of a national service to diagnose and remediate central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). Data was gathered from 38 participating Australian Hearing centres over an 18 month period from 666 individuals aged 6, 0 (yrs, mths) to 24, 8 (median 9, 0). A total of 408 clients were diagnosed with either a spatial processing disorder (n = 130), a verbal memory deficit (n = 174) or a binaural integration deficit (n = 104). A hierarchical test protocol was used so not all children were assessed on all tests in the battery. One hundred and fifty clients decided to proceed with deficit-specific training (LiSN & Learn or Memory Booster) and/or be fitted with a Frequency Modulation (FM) system. Families were provided with communication strategies targeted to a child’s specific listening difficulties and goals. Outcomes were measured using repeat assessment of the relevant diagnostic test, as well as the Client Oriented Scale of Improvement (COSI-C) measure and Listening Inventories for Education (LIFE) teacher questionnaire. Group analyses revealed significant improvements post-remediation for all training/management options. Individual post-training performance and results of outcome measures are also discussed.