The subject of this study was a 46-year-old female who had suffered a cerebrovascular
accident (CVA). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed damage in the area of the distribution
of the middle cerebral artery involving most, if not all, of the primary auditory
area of the left hemisphere. No auditory problems were noted prior to the CVA; however,
following the CVA, the subject reported a number of auditory difficulties. Pure-tone
thresholds were normal post-CVA, and performance on speech recognition testing was
good in both ears if ample time was provided between a response and the presentation
of the next test item. Duration pattern, intensity discrimination, and middle latency
response test results were abnormal for both ears, and right ear deficits were evident
on an auditory fusion test and two dichotic speech tests (digits and rhymes). This
case is significant in that it demonstrates a good correlation between damage to known
key auditory regions and central auditory test results.
Key Words
Auditory cortex - auditory processing disorder - cerebrovascular accident - middle
latency response
