Citation:

Shabana, M. I., A. Shalabi, A. O. Dabbous, and A. Emara, "Does reduced frequency selectivity in children with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss affect frequency discrimination in Mismatch Negativity and Pitch Pattern Sequence Tests? ", Audiological Medicine, vol. 10, pp. 40-49, 2012.

Abstract:

Abstract
Objective: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) results in reduced sensitivity, abnormal growth of loudness, reduced frequency
selectivity and reduced temporal resolution (1). Our aim was to study frequency discrimination abilities in children with
SNHL using the psychophysical Pitch Pattern Sequence Test (PPST) and an electrophysiological measure, the Mismatch
Negativity Test (MMN). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that included 90 children, ages ranging from 6 - 12 years,
divided into a study group of 60 children with mild to moderate SNHL and a control group of 30 normal hearing children.
Both groups were subdivided into 3 subgroups according to age. Results: Subgroups of children with SNHL showed statistically
signifi cant poorer scores on the PPST than their well-matched controls. Although MMN can be elicited in children
with mild to moderate degree of SNHL, its latency was prolonged. The older control subgroups did not show any statistically
signifi cant better scores on the PPST; MMN latencies were longer with increased duration of hearing loss. Degree of
hearing loss, gender and side had no effect on PPST or MMN. There was no statistically signifi cant correlation between
the results of the PPST and MMN. Conclusion: SNHL affects frequency discrimination abilities demonstrated in poor
scores on the PPST and prolonged MMN latency.
Key words: mismatch negativity, pitch pattern test, frequency discrimination , sensorineural hearing loss