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Dichotic integration: is it similar in the elderly and children?

Abstract

Background

Aging process is associated with central auditory changes, which may explain some understanding difficulties in elderly. It may be evaluated with the dichotic digits (DD) test, a widely used experimental paradigm for studying interhemispheric interactions.

Purpose

This study was performed to evaluate dichotic integration ability in the elderly and children populations by comparing it with adults who acted as reference.

Research design

The study design was a cross-sectional one. It was conducted in Ain Shams University, Faculty of Medicine, Demerdash Hospital, Audiology Unit, for a period of 4 years. The study comprised 75 participants divided into three groups: the adult group, the elderly group, and the pediatric group.

Data collection and analysis

Basic Audiological Evaluation and the DD test in the free recall condition were carried out in all participants.

Results

Results of this study suggest that central auditory processing concerning dichotic integration is different in children and elderly individuals when compared with adults. Moreover, there was no significant difference between elderly patients and children. The age had a direct correlation with DD test scores in children, but an inverse correlation in the elderly.

Conclusion

Dichotic integration as measured using the DD test is similar in the elderly and children, but in opposite directions with regard to its change with age progress.

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Correspondence to Tayseer T. Abdel Rahman.

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Rahman, T.T.A. Dichotic integration: is it similar in the elderly and children?. Egypt J Otolaryngol 33, 56–60 (2017). https://doi.org/10.4103/1012-5574.199400

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1012-5574.199400

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