[Survey on clinical practice regarding auditory processing disorders in german-speaking countries].

OBJECTIVE

To date, there has been no survey of current clinical practice for auditory processing disorders (APD) in German-speaking countries.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A link to an online survey consisting of 20 questions was distributed via the German Society of Phoniatrics and Pediatric audiology and the Swiss Society of Phoniatrics. A single reminder regarding the survey was sent out four weeks later.

RESULTS

154 participants completed the questionnaire (response rate: 46.1%), of whom 48% worked in a private practice and 41% at a tertiary care facility.

RESULTS

The primary patient population for APD assessment consists of children up to 12 years of age; however, adolescents and adults are also examined at many facilities. 58% do not perform screening prior to a comprehensive APD assessment. When asked about the exclusion criteria for APD outlined in the European consensus paper, 14% of respondents conduct a comprehensive APD assessment on patients with peripheral hearing loss, 22% on patients with a total IQ <80, and 49% on children under 7 years of age. Directional hearing testing is the most common non-speech-based, central hearing test (50%). Among speech-based tests, the dichotic test (89%), Mottier test (80%), and the Heidelberg Sound Discrimination Test (H-LAD) (75%) are frequently used.

CONCLUSIONS

As part of the update to the relevant guideline, it seems appropriate to propose clearer recommendations for the assessment and treatment of APD in German-speaking countries. Furthermore, the guideline should cover children, adolescents, and adults.