الفهرس 
Introduction and RationaleOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Auditory processing as an area of research and practice has its roots in the mid20th century, and much has been written about assessment of the central auditory system in the past 60 years. Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) is described as a generic term for hearing disorders that result from atypical processing of auditory information in the brain. It is characterized by persistent limitations in the performance of auditory activities and has significant consequences for participation. It has been described in the literature for many years. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the nature of the disorder and there is some frustration among professionals that the term “APD” is insufficient
With a combination of assistive and therapeutic approaches, there is growing evidence that auditory processing disorders can be effectively treated. Despite that there is limited evidence to suggest that intervention for APD improves individual auditory processing abilities.
Few studies assessed the long term follow up in adolescents and young adults who previously diagnosed with APD. These studies showed limited evidence to suggest that intervention for APD improves individual AP abilities. This indicated that long-term follow-up of auditory processing skills in children with APD have not been well-documented. Another survey study found that some listening and communication difficulties in children diagnosed with APD seem to persist well into adulthood.
Accordingly, this study is designed to assess long term outcome of APD by developing Arabic version of UCAPI (Keith et al., 2019b) questionnaire and apply it on APD adolescents and adults. Psychophysical central auditory tests were used as objective measure for monitoring long term APD outcome in the study group.
Standardization to the developed Arabic version of UCAPI questionnaire was done for the control group. Comparing scores of the study and control groups, independent t test showed highly statistically significant difference on all questionnaire categories. The Arabic version of UCAPI questionnaire is an efficient tool for subjective evaluation and monitoring of APD in adolescents &adults. Accordingly, it is recommended to implement the questionnaire routinely in APD clinic.
The means of present scores of central test results were higher than the past scores denoting significant improvement. However, for SPIN test, the improvement in mean average scores was not significant. Normal composite score of psychophysical central retest results in the study group was 63.3%. Despite the noticed improvement of recent central test scores, 36.7% of APD patients continue to have residual deficits in auditory skills.
In an attempt for analysis of the degree of improvement in the study group, they were classified to: totally improved: 4 subjects (22,2%) with normal APD scores (group a) & partially or not improved: 14 subjects (77.8%) (group b). A plotted profile was done for the two groups. All of the improved subjects received temporal processing training denoting efficacy of temporal processing training in improving APD outcome, so we recommend to implement temporal remediation program for all APD patients as it has a global effect on the outcome.
Almost all (group b) had abnormal pitch pattern sequence followed by auditory memory test in 92%. This reflects presence of two affected abilities or even more, can hinder the efficacy of therapy and needs longer durations of training to be considered. Number and percent of patients in (group b) who received remediation programs were less than received number. Accordingly, it is recommended to apply AT programs regularly for sufficient period of time so that APD patients can have better outcome. It is also crucial to counsel patients to accomplish AT programs regularly and intensively. The present study showed that even with total improvement in behavioral central testing in (group a), there is still functional central auditory deficit.
APD is a life-long disease. In spite of the marked improvement of the long-term follow up central test results, patients show residual APD effect or functional deficit as evidenced by questionnaire. Accordingly, special Arabic auditory training rehabilitation materials should be designed to suit APD adolescents and adults. Further research is required in this area.