The effectiveness of central auditory processing rehabilitation program on speech reception in noise and dichotic listening in dyslexic students

Auditory processing disorder and dyslexia have been reported by many studies as having high comorbidity. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of central auditory processing rehabilitation program on speech reception in noise and dichotic listening in dyslexic students. The research was quasi-experimental, including a pretest, posttest and a control group.
The population involved dyslexic elementary school students, studying in a learning disorder center in Tehran. Using convenience sampling method, 30 dyslexic students with central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) were selected and put into experimental and control groups. Speech in noise (SIN) test and dichotic digits test (DDT) were conducted in the pretest for all students. Central auditory processing rehabilitation program was designed in 12 steps with different practices. The experimental group received 15 sessions of central auditory processing rehabilitation program. Speech in noise test and dichotic digits tests were conducted again in the posttest for all students.
The data analysis using repeated measures multi-variable analysis of variance indicated a significant difference among the mean scores of speech in noise and dichotic digits tests in the experimental and control groups (p˂0.05). The experimental group had gained better scores.
According to the results, the central auditory processing disorder rehabilitation program significantly enhanced speech reception in noise and dichotic listening in the dyslexic students.