Auditory training program for Arabic-speaking children with auditory figure-ground deficits

ObjectiveListening to speech in noise makes up a great challenge for school children with auditory processing disorders mainly those with deficit in auditory figure ground (AFG) ability. These children are candidates for auditory training programs targeting AFG such as noise-desensitization programs. This work aimed to develop a new training material in Arabic language targeting this ability.MethodsA noise-desensitization semi-formal training program was developed and standardized on normal children in a pilot study preceding the main one. Seventeen school children with AFG deficit were submitted to the program for eight weeks then reevaluated.ResultsThe paired sample t-test revealed significant improvement of all trained children after training period in their psychophysical and electrophysiological results. The electrophysiological threshold of signal to noise ratio decreased from −5.3 dB to −11.3 dB after training.ConclusionThe newly developed training material revealed efficacy in managing children with AFG deficit. The other affected auditory abilities improved also because of the multi-ability tapping character of the program.