Applicability of the free field Sustained Auditory Attention Ability Test (SAAAT)

Preliminary Study of the Applicability of Software in the investigation of Sustained Auditory Attention

Introduction The use of auditory behavioral tests, which specifically assess sustained attention, is necessary, due to its relationship with learning, language production, cognitive development and school performance.

Objective To evaluate how children performed using software developed to investigate the ability of sustained auditory attention, and to compare the scores obtained in this format with those of the original, non-computerized test.

Methods This cross-sectional study included 52 children of both genders, aged 6 to 11 years, with normal hearing and no history of complaints regarding inattention and/or hyperactivity. The computerized test was administered to all 52 children. The total error score (inattention and impulsivity) and the vigilance decrement were used to define the children's performance when using the software. The scores obtained in the two formats (computer software and original on compact disc) were then compared.

Results Statistically significant differences were found in the scores for innattention, impulsivity, and total error score (inattention and impulsivity) when comparing genders, and a negative correlation coefficient was found when comparing ages. Increased scores were found for all variables of the sustained auditory attention ability test (SAAAT) compared with the original format.

Conclusion Females performed worse than males in all aspects except for vigilance decrement when using the SAAAT software developed to evaluate the ability of SAAAT vigilance; younger children made more errors when using the SAAAT software; inattention errors were more frequent than impulsivity. Overall, higher values were obtained using the SAAAT software, when compared with the original version.

Adult Perfomance on the Sustained Auditory Attention Skill Test

Introduction  The Sustained Auditory Attention Ability Test (SAAAT) is an instrument used to assess sustained auditory attention in children. Difficulties related to this ability are not unique to children alone, as adults have been observed to present with the same deficits. Therefore, there is a need to adapt instruments like the SAAAT and provide reference values for adults.

Objective  To assess adult performance on the SAAAT.

Methods  Approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee under n° 034/2011. The sample consisted of 30 participants aged between 18 and 30 years old (average age = 24.2 years old), female and male. The inclusion criteria were: peripheral hearing within normal limits, type A tympanometric curve, and no attention-related complaints. The participants were submitted to Tonal Audiometry, Logoaudiometry, Immitanciometry and to the SAAAT.

Results  The following mean values and standard deviations (SD) were observed: inattention = 1.7 (SD = 2.2) and impulsivity = 0.8 (SD = 0.9) error types. For the SAAAT, the mean value for the total error score was 2.4 (SD = 2.6), and for the decrease in vigilance, it was 0.3 (SD = 0.5). When comparing the performance of adults and children, a statistically significant difference was observed for inattention ( p  = 0.000) and impulsivity ( p  = 0.001) error types, as well as in the total error score ( p  = 0.000) and in decreased vigilance ( p  = 0.0003).

Conclusion  The performance of adults in the SAAAT differed from the children's parameters, since adults showed lower scores in all variables of the instrument.

Sustained auditory attention ability in children based on the breathing mode

ABSTRACT Purpose: to analyze the auditory behavior and the performance in the Sustained Auditory Attention Ability Test (SAAAT) of children with different breathing modes. Methods: a total of 30 individuals (19 males and 11 females), ranging from seven to 11 years old, participated in the research. They were distributed into nasal-breathers, mouth-breathers, and oronasal-breathers groups. The Scale of Auditory Behaviors (SAB) questionnaire was applied to those responsible for the children, so as to characterize their auditory behavior. In the SAAAT, the following error patterns were analyzed: inattention, decreased vigilance, impulsivity, and total errors. For the inferential analysis, the Mann-Whitney, chi-square, and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests were used. Results: the individuals with mouth- and oronasal-breathing modes had more complaints in the SAB questionnaire when compared with nasal-breathers. Regarding the SAAAT, it was found that the age group of seven to eight years was the one that had the worst performance in the test. The groups with oral and oronasal breathing had more errors, with a statistically significant difference between the groups for inattention and total errors. Conclusion: it can be concluded that individuals with oral and oronasal breathing had more complaints in the auditory behavior and worse performance in the SAAAT, especially for inattention and total errors.

The use of remote microphone systems in unilateral hearing loss: a preliminary study among Brazilian children and teenagers

Due to the large number of individuals with Unilateral Hearing Loss (UHL) and the recommendation to use hearing assistive devices, studies are required to define possibilities of intervention for this population.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the performance of the Remote Microphone System (RMS) in children with UHL.

METHODOLOGY

Prospective clinical study with a convenience sample. Eleven children (mean age of 9.2 years) with severe and profound sensorineural UHL, hearing aid users and enrolled in regular schools participated in the study. They were evaluated using the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT), the Classroom Participation Questionnaire (CPQ), and the Sustained Auditory Attention Ability Test (SAAAT) with RMS.

RESULTS

HINT results were analyzed using variance to three criteria of repeated measures, which revealed differences between intervention, position, and time factors and significant interaction between these three factors. The comparative analysis of the results from CPQ showed significant differences in the statistical t-test (p=<0.001) for all subscales. The analysis of variance at two repeated measures criteria used in the study of SAAAT revealed a difference between intervention and time, and both interacted significantly.

CONCLUSION

The RMS associated with a hearing aid was effective for individuals with UHL.