Objective measurement of high-level auditory cortical function in children
Almeqbel, Aseel
Objective measurement of high-level auditory cortical function in children
Objective: This study examined whether the N2 latency of the cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP)
could be used as an objective indicator of temporal processing ability in normally hearing children.
Methods: The N2 latency was evoked using three temporal processing paradigms: (1) differences in
voice-onset-times (VOTs); (2) speech-in-noise using the CV/da/embedded in broadband noise (BBN)
with varying signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs); and (3) 16 Hz amplitude-modulated (AM) BBN presented (i)
alone and (ii) following an unmodulated BBN, using four modulation depths. Thirty-four school-aged
children with normal hearing, speech, language and reading were stratified into two groups: 5–7 years
(n = 13) and 8–12 years (n = 21).
Results: The N2 latency shifted significantly and systematically with differences in VOT and SNR, and
was significantly different in the two AM-BBN conditions.
Conclusions: For children without an N1 peak in the cortical waveform, the N2 peak can be used as a
sensitive measure of temporal processing for these stimuli.
Significance: N2 latency of the CAEP can be used as an objective measure of temporal processing ability
in a paediatric population with temporal processing disorder who are difficult to assess via behavioural
response.
Temporal processing Cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEP) Voice-onset-time (VOT) Speech-in-noise Amplitude-modulated broadband noise (AM-BBN) N2 latency
Objective measurement of high-level auditory cortical function in children
Objective: This study examined whether the N2 latency of the cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP)
could be used as an objective indicator of temporal processing ability in normally hearing children.
Methods: The N2 latency was evoked using three temporal processing paradigms: (1) differences in
voice-onset-times (VOTs); (2) speech-in-noise using the CV/da/embedded in broadband noise (BBN)
with varying signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs); and (3) 16 Hz amplitude-modulated (AM) BBN presented (i)
alone and (ii) following an unmodulated BBN, using four modulation depths. Thirty-four school-aged
children with normal hearing, speech, language and reading were stratified into two groups: 5–7 years
(n = 13) and 8–12 years (n = 21).
Results: The N2 latency shifted significantly and systematically with differences in VOT and SNR, and
was significantly different in the two AM-BBN conditions.
Conclusions: For children without an N1 peak in the cortical waveform, the N2 peak can be used as a
sensitive measure of temporal processing for these stimuli.
Significance: N2 latency of the CAEP can be used as an objective measure of temporal processing ability
in a paediatric population with temporal processing disorder who are difficult to assess via behavioural
response.
Temporal processing Cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEP) Voice-onset-time (VOT) Speech-in-noise Amplitude-modulated broadband noise (AM-BBN) N2 latency