Preliminary Study on Speech in Noise Training in Children with Sensory Processing Disorder and Hyperacusis

Hyperacusis is the perception of certain everyday sounds as too loud or painful. Past research suggests that some individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) may also have a comorbid hyperacusis. The aim of this preliminary study was to explore if hyperacusis symptoms in children with SPD change following Speech in noise training (SPINT). This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Data were included for 28 children with SPD and sound intolerance (12/28 were female, mean age was 8.7 ± 1.9 years old). Patients were assessed using the Persian Buffalo Model Questionnaire-Revised version (P-BMQ-R) that measures various behavioural aspects of auditory processing disorder and word in noise test (WINT) before and after SPINT. After SPINT the subscales of DEC, TFM with its Noi, and Mem, subcategories, APD, ΣCAP, and Gen of P-BMQ-R questionnaire significantly improved (P < 0.05), however, the changes in subscales of Var, INT and ORG were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In addition, SPINT led to better performance in WINT in both ears (P < 0.05). This preliminary study showed promising result for the effect of SPINT on improving behavioural indicators of APD (as measured via P-BMQ-R and WINT) and decreasing hyperacusis symptoms (as measured via Noi).