Test and retest of auditory processing: reliability of the evaluation Processamento auditivo em teste e reteste: confiabilidade da avaliação

ABSTRACT Purpose: To verify the reliability of a few Central Auditory Processing (CAP) tests through a test-retest study. Methods: Forty Portuguese speaking volunteer subjects were randomly selected and evaluated on CAP abilities in the situations of test and retest, with interval periods that varied from one week to one month. The following tests were applied: localization, verbal and non-verbal sequential memory, two monotic and two dichotic tests. These last ones were selected according to each subject’s age and response conditions. Results: There was no difference between the tested ears, nor between the test and retest situations for the entire group. When the performances of subjects indicating an auditory processing disorder were compared to those whose results were within normal limits there was a variation in the majority of the tests, in both situations. Conclusion: The CAP tests used in this study indicated their reliability through the test-retest. Keywords: Hearing; Hearing disorders; Auditory perception; Auditory perceptual disorders; Hearing tests