Translation and adaptation of an auditory training software for schoolchildren

Author(s)

Karenina Santos Calarga

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2016-05-03

Examining board members

Eliane Schochat; Renata Mota Mamede de Carvallo; Katya Guglielmi Marcondes Freire

• Advisor: Eliane Schochat

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: It has been found that environmental noise can impair speech understanding, especially for children who still do not possess the linguistic and cognitive maturity necessary to perform auditory closure. These difficulties can lead to obstacles in learning. Previous studies have shown that auditory training can stimulate both bottom-up (auditory) and top-down (cognitive and linguistic) skills and, consequently, improve academic performance in children. Auditory training softwares are becoming increasingly popular as they offer a number of advantages; notably they are more motivating and give users more freedom, whilst the parameters of the stimuli are automatically adjusted. Since there is no known Brazilian training program for hearing speech in noise, it is necessary to create such a tool. OBJECTIVES: To translate and adapt the \"LEB - Logiciel d\'Écoute dans le Bruit\" hearing in noise training software to Portuguese and test its effectiveness in Brazilian schoolchildren by analyzing performance in auditory, cognitive and language tests. METHODS: (1) The Brazilian version of the auditory training software was given the name \"PER - Programa de Escuta no Ruído\". It was created after the translation, adaptation, recording, mixing and programming of stimuli processes; (2) Its effectiveness was investigated by analyzing the performance of two matched groups before and after the auditory training period in the following tests and their respective skills: compressed speech (auditory closure), phonological awareness (linguistics), pseudoword reading (reading), auditory comprehension (auditory comprehension and interpretation), digit span (short term memory) and sustained auditory attention. The trained group (TG) was made up of 22 students, aged 9 to 10 years old, who received auditory training with the \"PER\" and the control group (CG) was made up of 20 students who did not receive any stimulation. (3) After the training period, the subjects of the GT answered a qualitative evaluation questionnaire about the gameplay of, and their opinions about the PER. RESULTS: The effectiveness of the translation and adaptation process was measured by the ease at which the game instructions were understood and followed, in addition to the positive responses obtained by the questionnaire. The groups performed differently in the post-training period. The TG showed statistically significant changes in the following skills: auditory closure; phonological awareness; reading; sustained auditory attention and listening. The results suggest that the PER training was effective in stimulating and developing bottom-up and top-down skills. CONCLUSIONS: The auditory training software translation and adaptation process was successful. It proved effective in the following skill stimulations: auditory closure, auditory comprehension, sustained auditory attention, phonological awareness and pseudoword reading. The development in performance of the TG significantly outweighed that of the control group in most of the evaluated skills, whether they were bottom-up (hearing) or top-down (cognitive and linguistic) (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/04094-0 - Translation and adaptation of a auditory training software for schoolchildren with central auditory processing disorder
• Grantee: Karenina Santos Calarga
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master