Is Central Auditory Processing Disorder Present in Psychosis?

Abstract

Purpose The scope of this study was to trace central auditory processing issues in patients with first-episode psychosis using a psychoacoustic test battery approach. Method Patients ( n = 17) and volunteer control subjects ( n = 17) with no personal or family history of schizophrenia were included in the study on the basis of normal hearing sensitivity. The authors implemented a central auditory processing battery consisting of monaural and binaural tests with verbal and nonverbal stimuli. Results Perceptual deficits in both nonverbal and verbal auditory stimuli are reported in this study, with temporal central auditory processing deficits and a mean left-ear advantage documented in the patient group. Conclusion This study points to the possibility of the existence of central auditory processing deficits in first-episode psychosis leading to schizophrenia. Audiologists should be aware of the psychiatric research pointing to enhanced verbal memory as a result of auditory training, linking bottom-up remediation with top-down improvement.