We recently completed our nationwide study of listening skills in 1500 children aged 6 -11 years. The study had complementary clinical and research goals. Key findings from this study have been published in Pediatrics (2010) (PDF). Because the study addresses many problems inherent in much research in auditory processing disorders, the work has been described as 'seminal' and 'a refreshing perspective on a troublesome problem' (James Jerger). Importantly, as part of the study, we demonstrated a dominant role for top-down (cognitive) processing in performance on tests assessing auditory processing skills. We also achieved a main goal of developing a child-friendly, language-free test battery in which there is already considerable professional interest.
Other outcomes in the study included the development of the IMAP test battery. This test battery is child-friendly, quick to administer and yet provides a full assessment of skills thought to be important for successful auditory processing. We are now working towards making the test battery and the platform for presenting stimuli (IHR-STAR), available to researchers and clinicians. Please contact Angie Killoran if you would like to be added to our emailing list. A protocols for administration of the IMAP test battery is provided in Barry, Ferguson and Moore (2010).
Acknowledgements
This study was conducted with the collaboration and participation of a number of audiology departments and primary schools. Our thanks go to them for all the help and support they have provided:
Collaborating Audiology Departments
- Audiology Department
Royal Devon and Royal Exeter Wonford Hospital
Exeter
Contact: Mr Kelvin Wakeham - Department of Paediatric Audiology
Royal Hospital for Sick Children
Dalnair Street
Glasgow
Contact: Dr Juan Mora - Welsh Hearing Institute
University Hospital of Wales
Cardiff
Contacts: Mrs Wendy Rabaiotti and Dr Veronica Kennedy - Children's Hearing Assessment Centre
Ropewalk House
Nottingham
Participating Schools
- Adamsdown Primary School, Cardiff
- Bryn Hafod Primary School, Cardiff
- Christ the King Primary School, Cardiff
- Hawthorn Infant School, Cardiff
- Hawthorn Junior School, Cardiff
- Llanishen Fach, Cardiff
- Moorland Primary School, Cardiff
- Ninian Park, Cardiff
- Springwood Primary School, Cardiff
- St Mary the Virgin CW Primary School, Cardiff
- St Mellon's Church of Wales Primary School, Cardiff
- Tredegarvill Primary School, Cardiff
- Countess Wear Primary School, Exeter
- Exminster Community Primary School, Exeter
- Ladysmith Infant & Junior school, Exeter
- Ladysmith Junior School, Exeter
- Redhills Primary School, Exeter
- St Davids Primary School, Exeter
- St Thomas Primary School, Exeter
- The Duchy, Exeter
- Walter Daw Primary School, Exeter
- Blackfriars Primary School, Glasgow
- Broomhill Primary School, Glasgow
- Copeland Primary, Glasgow
- Greenfield Primary School, Glasgow
- Ibrox School, Glasgow
- Kings Park Primary School, Glasgow
- Oakgrove Primary School, Glasgow
- Shawlands Primary School, Glasgow
- St Patrick's Primary School, Glasgow
- St Peter's Primary School, Glasgow
- Blue Bell Primary School, Nottingham
- Bramcote Hills Primary School, Nottingham
- Glenbrook Primary School, Nottingham
- Greenfields Community School, Nottingham
- Jesse Gray Primary School, Nottingham
- Mellers Primary School, Nottingham
- Millford Primary School, Nottingham
- Portland Primary School, Nottingham
- Rosslyn Park Primary School, Nottingham
- Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School, Nottingham