English language and language-free detection of spatial processing disorders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare speech reception thresholds in noise measured with the Listening in Spatialised Noise – Universal test (LiSN-U; which requires no English knowledge) with those measured from the relevant conditions of the LiSN – Sentences test (LiSN-S; a test requiring knowledge of English) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. A second aim was to compare the ability of the two tests to detect spatial processing disorder.

Design

Participants completed audiometry, the LiSN-S, and the LiSN-U.

Study sample

90 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged six to 14 years tested in a school setting.

Results

Strong correlations were found between speech reception thresholds in noise for the two tests. A moderate correlation was found between the difference scores that each test uses to detect spatial processing disorder. Consistent diagnoses of whether a child had spatial processing disorder or not on both tests were found for 72% of children.

Conclusions

The moderate-to-strong relationships and agreement between diagnoses found for the LiSN-S and LiSN-U show promise for the LiSN-U being used as a tool to investigate spatial processing disorder in children, without requiring the test to use a language familiar to the children being tested.

Keywords:

• Spatial processing
• auditory processing disorder
• speech perception
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the participating schools and health services in the three communities, Mark Mitchell from the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, King Chung and the audiology students from the University of Northern Illinois, Samantha Harkus, Meagan Ward and Belinda Lesina from Australian Hearing, for their help with collecting data for this study. We would also like to thank Mark Seeto for statistical advice. The study was supported by the Prime Minister and Cabinet Department’s Indigenous Advancement Scheme. Harvey Dillon acknowledges the support of the Australian Department of Health, Macquarie University, and the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Indigenous Advancement Strategy Project 4-1M7F2PW, through the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australia.