ISSN: 2472-5005

Journal of Speech Pathology & Therapy
Open Access

Our Group organises 3000+ Global Conferenceseries Events every year across USA, Europe & Asia with support from 1000 more scientific Societies and Publishes 700+ Open Access Journals which contains over 50000 eminent personalities, reputed scientists as editorial board members.

Open Access Journals gaining more Readers and Citations
700 Journals and 15,000,000 Readers Each Journal is getting 25,000+ Readers

This Readership is 10 times more when compared to other Subscription Journals (Source: Google Analytics)
  • Research Article   
  • J Speech Pathol Ther 2018, Vol 3(1): 129
  • DOI: 10.4172/2472-5005.1000129

Effectiveness of a Novel Computer/Tablet-Based Auditory Training Program in Improving Dichotic Listening Skills in Children

Matthew D Barker1* and Teri James Bellis2,3
1Acoustic Pioneer, Ltd, , Napier, New Zealand
2Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, Sudan
3Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, Sudan
*Corresponding Author : Matthew D Barker, Four Elms Drive, Acoustic Pioneer, Ltd., Napier, New Zealand, Tel: (806) 527-1884, Email: matt@acousticpioneer.com

Received Date: Nov 07, 2017 / Accepted Date: Nov 17, 2017 / Published Date: Nov 24, 2017

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a novel computer/tablet-based dichotic listening training program (Zoo Caper Skyscraper, ZCS) in improving dichotic listening (DL) deficits of children identified as being at-risk educationally.
Method: Participants were 15 children identified both as exhibiting documented DL deficits and as being in the lowest 20% of educational achievers as compared to same-aged peers. Participants underwent two sets of pretherapy DL measures using the Dichotic Digits test [1]. Following verification of a consistent DL deficit, all participants underwent the ZCS program. Following completion of training, participants’ DL skills were retested.
Results: Results indicated that, although the two pre-treatment measures of DL did not differ from one another, a significant improvement was seen in DL following training, most notably for the left ear. Further, number of sessions required to complete the program did not correlate with degree of improvement, which underscores the need for individualization of treatment recommendations.
Conclusions: This study adds to the growing body of literature supporting the use of auditory training for improving DL skills. Results of this study also indicate that the ZCS program holds promise as a therapeutic tool for children with DL deficits.

Keywords: primary language, cortical hemispheres, audiometer

Top