The Effect of Auditory Training by the Use of Dichotic Tasks in the Role of Temporal Processing

Introduction: Usually, the principal focus during the individual auditory training is on hearing disabilities. An important aspect is to provide challenges for speech recognition in dichotic tasks and determine if this training improves other skills that were not trained before.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of an auditory training through dichotic task in temporal processing dysfunction.

Methods: A total of four subjects, aged 12 to 15 years, who presented in their assessment abnormal results of temporal processing were verified by the following two tests: random gap detection and duration pattern with pure tones. The total training consisted of eight sessions, once a week, lasting 50 minutes each. The subjects were submitted for assessment of auditory processing, in three times—preauditory training, after four sessions and postauditory training. For this study, we used a paradigm based on dichotic interaural intensity difference.

Results: All subjects achieved normal limits in the ability of temporal resolution, with thresholds from 2.7 to 10.0 ms, which were previously 13.7 to 38.7 ms. In the ability of temporal ordering, only 50% of subjects remained with alterations. In the task of naming, the accuracy ranges from 50 to 93%, and in the task of humming from 60 to 96%; whereas, in the pretraining values, for naming the accuracy ranges from 46 to 73% and for humming from 53 to 80%.

Conclusion: The results showed that training for the dichotic tasks was more effective for temporal resolution than for the judgment of the temporal ordering.