RESUMO Objetivo Correlacionar os resultados da avaliação comportamental do processamento auditivo central e do questionário de autopercepção após o treinamento auditivo acusticamente controlado. Método Foram avaliados dez indivíduos com média de idade de 44,5 anos, que sofreram traumatismo cranioencefálico de grau leve. Os indivíduos foram submetidos a avaliação comportamental do processamento auditivo central e também responderam ao questionário de autopercepção “Treinamento Auditivo Formal” após a intervenção terapêutica. O questionário foi composto por questões referentes a percepção auditiva, compreensão de ordens, solicitação de repetição de enunciados, ocorrência mal-entendidos, tempo de atenção, desempenho auditivo em ambiente ruidoso, comunicação ao telefone e autoestima e os pacientes foram solicitados a assinalar a frequência de ocorrência dos comportamentos listados. Resultados As habilidades auditivas de figura-fundo e memória para sons em sequência e processamento temporal correlacionaram-se com melhora para seguir instruções, diminuição das solicitações de repetições e aumento do tempo de atenção e melhora da comunicação e da compreensão ao telefone e para assistir TV. Conclusão Observou-se adequação das habilidades auditivas de fechamento auditivo, figura fundo, e processamento temporal na avaliação pós-treinamento auditivo acusticamente controlado, além de redução das queixas quanto ao comportamento auditivo.

ABSTRACT Purpose To correlate behavioral assessment results of central auditory processing and the self-perception questionnaire after acoustically controlled auditory training. Methods The study assessed 10 individuals with a mean age of 44.5 years who had suffered mild traumatic brain injury. They underwent behavioral assessment of central auditory processing and answered the Formal Auditory Training self-perception questionnaire after the therapeutic intervention - whose questions address auditory perception, understanding orders, request to repeat statements, occurrence of misunderstandings, attention span, auditory performance in noisy environments, telephone communication, and self-esteem. Patients were asked to indicate the frequency with which the listed behaviors occurred. Results Figure-ground, sequential memory for sounds, and temporal processing correlated with improvement in following instructions, fewer requests to repeat statements, increased attention span, improved communication, and understanding on the phone and when watching TV. Conclusion Auditory closure, figure-ground, and temporal processing had improved in the assessment after the acoustically controlled auditory training, and there were fewer auditory behavior complaints.

Abstract Objectives Our study aimed to verify the evidence of auditory training employed in the audiological treatment of tinnitus in adults and older adults. Methods Scoping review based on a search for articles in journals available in MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (Elsevier), LILACS (BVS), and Cochrane Library. Titles and abstracts of the retrieved articles were assessed by peers, following the eligibility criteria; they were afterward read in full text, and the references were hand searched in the results found. Studies’ level of evidence was classified into very high (Level A+), high (Level A), moderate (Level B), limited (Level C), low (Level D), or very low (Level D−) based on the Critically Appraised Topics. Results 2160 records were identified in the searching stage and 15 studies were eligible for data extraction. Study design, sample characterization, auditory training tasks, sound stimuli, outcome measures, and results were extracted. Frequency discrimination training was the most frequent strategy, followed by auditory attentional skills training and multisensory training. Almost all studies with daily auditory training sessions reported significant benefits demonstrated in at least one outcome measure. Studies that used auditory discrimination training and attentional auditory skill stimulation to treat tinnitus obtained quality evidence levels ranging from limited to high (C‒A) and studies that applied multisensory training or attentional training combined with counseling and passive listening in tinnitus patients reached a high-quality evidence level (A). Conclusion Recent studies had higher levels of evidence and considered attentional factors and multisensory pathways in auditory training strategies.

Abstract Introduction Peripheral hearing loss, besides causing inadequate auditory input, can lead to distortions in the tonotopic auditory map and reorganization of neural networks. Therefore, the processing of temporal aspects of a sound stimulus and, consequently, the effectiveness of human communication can be negatively impacted. Objective To test the temporal ordering and auditory resolution of people with mild and moderate sensorineural hearing loss and to compare them with the those of people with normal hearing. Methods A total of 19 right-handed individuals aged 16 to 59 years with mild to moderate postlingually acquired symmetric bilateral sensorineural hearing loss participated in the study. They were submitted to frequency and duration pattern tests and a random gap detection test. Results The mean correct response rate in the frequency pattern test was of 66.3%, and, in the duration pattern test, 71.7%. The mean threshold in the random gap detection test was of 14.1 ms. A comparison with the criteria established for normal subjects without peripheral hearing loss revealed that more than half the subjects had abnormal results in the temporal ordering test, while a smaller fraction had reduced temporal resolution. Conclusions The performance of the subjects with acquired sensorineural hearing loss was poorer than that of the participants without peripheral hearing loss. Their results on the temporal ordering test were also poorer than in the temporal resolution test, demonstrating the importance of analyzing both these auditory skills in people with peripheral hearing loss.

Abstract Introduction Ménière disease (MD) affects the inner ear, comprising the cochlea and semicircular canals. Symptoms include severe incapacitating vertigo, nausea, vomit, aural fullness, and sensorineural hearing loss – in which speech discrimination and intelligibility are impaired and can be quantified with speech audiometry. Objective To investigate the influence of the stimuli presentation level in speech audiometry and the quality of life in adults with and without a diagnosis of MD. Method Two groups were formed with nine individuals each – one with and the other without MD. The Speech Recognition Percentage Index was researched with stimuli presented above the self-reported comfort level or 5 dB below the discomfort level. Dizziness Handicap and Tinnitus Handicap Inventories were administered to individuals with tinnitus and vertigo complaints. Results Speech recognition was better in the study group with higher presentation levels, as 75% of the sample improved their performance. The presence of vertigo significantly impacted the quality of life of individuals in the study group. Conclusion Speech recognition improves with higher presentation levels. Also, MD impacts the quality of life, especially regarding limitations caused by vertigo.

ABSTRACT Purpose To compare the central auditory abilities of climacteric women, with and without hormone replacement therapy. Methods Observational study, performed with climacteric women with and without hormone replacement therapy. Sound localization tests were performed in five directions; Sequential Verbal Memory Test; Sequential Memory Test for Nonverbal Sounds; Duration Pattern Test; Random Gap Detection Test); Masking Level Difference; Dichotic Digit Test and Speech With White Noise Test and the questionnaire “Informal Fatigue Assessment” was applied. Results The differences pointed out revealed the biased difference that occurs due to higher average performance in the group with TH compared to the group without TH for TMSnV. In the TLS, TMSN, RGDT and MLD tests, the group with HT presented quantitatively better results. Conclusion Climacteric women, with and without hormone therapy, have central auditory processing disorder involving the auditory skills of sound localization, simple and complex temporal ordering, background figure, temporal resolution and binaural interaction. However, women in the hormone therapy group performed better in simple temporal ordering.

RESUMO Objetivo Comparar as habilidades auditivas centrais de mulheres no climatério, com e sem terapia de reposição hormonal. Métodos Estudo observacional, realizado com mulheres no climatério, divididas em dois grupos, segundo o uso ou não de terapia hormonal. Foram realizados os testes de Localização Sonora em cinco direções; Memória Sequencial para Sons Verbais e Não Verbais; Padrão de Duração; Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT); Masking Level Difference (MLD); Dicótico de Dígitos; Fala Com Ruído Branco, e aplicado o Questionário Avaliação Informal de Fadiga. Resultados Houve diferença tendenciosa de melhor desempenho médio no grupo com terapia hormonal, em comparação ao grupo sem terapia para o teste de Memória para Sons Não Verbais. Nos testes de Localização Sonora, Memória para Sons Verbais, RGDT e MLD, o grupo com terapia hormonal apresentou resultados quantitativamente melhores. O grupo com terapia hormonal demonstrou maior porcentagem de mulheres com alto nível de fadiga. Conclusão Mulheres no climatério, com e sem terapia hormonal, apresentam transtorno de processamento auditivo central envolvendo as habilidades auditivas de localização sonora, ordenação temporal simples e complexa, figura-fundo, resolução temporal e interação binaural. No entanto, as mulheres do grupo com terapia hormonal apresentam melhor desempenho em ordenação temporal simples.

Abstract Introduction: Traumatic brain injury can impair the central auditory pathways and auditory cortex. Hence, individuals who suffered a traumatic brain injury may be at risk of central auditory processing disorders, which can be identified with behavioral tests that assess central auditory function. Objective: To characterize and compare the performance of children and adolescents with and without a history of traumatic brain injury in behavioral tests that assess central auditory processing. Method: The sample comprised 8- to 18-year-old individuals of both sexes who suffered moderate or severe closed traumatic brain injury 3 to 24 months before their participation in the study and whose hearing thresholds were normal. These individuals were matched for sex and age with other subjects without a history of traumatic brain injury and submitted to behavioral assessment of the central auditory processing with special tests to assess hearing skills (namely, auditory closure, figure-ground, and temporal processing), selected according to their chronological age and response-ability. Results: The study group performed statistically worse than the comparison group in auditory closure, figure-ground in verbal dichotic listening, and temporal ordering. The central auditory processing tests with abnormal results in the comparison group were different from those in the study group. Conclusion: Central auditory processing disorders were identified in all subjects of the study group, especially involving auditory closure and temporal processing skills, in comparison with subjects without a history of traumatic brain injury.

Abstract Introduction Dysphonia is an oral communication disorder. The voice and hearing are interrelated aspects. Hearing is an important sensory input for monitoring the vocal pattern. The relation between hearing abilities and dysphonia represents a contribution both in scientific and in clinical terms, especially in cases in which satisfactory results are not achieved in the therapeutic process. Objective To characterize long-latency auditory evoked potential (P300) with tonal and complex stimuli, and to make a behavioral evaluation of auditory processing in adults with behavioral dysphonia. Method The sample used for the present study consisted of 20 subjects from both genders with ages ranging from 18 and 58, who were diagnosed with behavioral dysphonia. The evaluations occurred in a single 2-hour session, in which the procedures of clinical history, pure tone and speech audiometries, acoustic immittance measures, and behavioral and electrophysiological evaluations of auditory processing were performed. Results The descriptive measures of P3 latency elicited by tonal and complex stimuli showed similar results for the right and left ears, without statistically significant differences. In the qualitative analysis, the results observed were within the normality patterns for the P3 component for both tonal and complex stimuli. As for the behavioral evaluation of auditory processing, abnormal results were observed in 100% of the sample. Abnormalities were found in the auditory skills of ordering and temporal resolution and figure-background obtained from the duration pattern, random gap detection, and dichotic tests (syllables and words), respectively. Conclusion The evaluated patients presented central auditory processing disorder, evidenced by behavioral assessment.

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar a percepção subjetiva por meio da Escala de Funcionamento Auditivo após um programa de treinamento auditivo acusticamente controlado. Métodos: participaram deste estudo 23 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, na faixa etária de 6 a 15 anos. Critérios de inclusão: apresentar limiares auditivos menores do que 20 dBNA entre 250 e 8000 Hz, timpanometria com curvas tipo A e diagnóstico de transtorno de processamento auditivo central confirmado por testes comportamentais com indicação de treinamento auditivo acusticamente controlado. O treinamento auditivo acusticamente controlado foi realizado em dez sessões com duração de uma hora cada. Foram utilizados testes auditivos apresentados em condições de escuta progressivamente adversas. Na primeira e na última sessão do treinamento auditivo acusticamente controlado os indivíduos foram submetidos à aplicação da Escala de Funcionamento Auditivo - SAB. Foram aplicados os testes estatísticos apropriados, considerando-se valor de p menor que 0,05. Resultados: as questões Q1, Q2, Q4, Q7, Q8 e Q11 demonstraram resultados estatisticamente significantes, evidenciando melhora dos comportamentos após o treinamento auditivo acusticamente controlado. Já as questões Q3 e Q10 apresentaram tendência á significância e a pontuação total no momento pós aumentou em relação ao momento pré, demonstrando diferença estatisticamente significante representando uma redução nas queixas. Conclusão: a percepção subjetiva do indivíduo e de seus familiares foi passível de ser identificada pela aplicação da Escala de Funcionamento Auditivo no pré e pós Treinamento Auditivo Acusticamente Contolado, revelando melhora dos comportamentos auditivos e de atenção.

ABSTRACT Purpose: to identify the Scale of Auditory Behaviors perception after an acoustically controlled auditory training program. Methods: 23 individuals of both genders, aged 6 to 15 years, participated in this study. Inclusion criteria: to present auditory thresholds lower than 20 dBHL between 250 and 8000Hz, type A tympanometry and diagnosis of central auditory processing disorder confirmed by behavioral tests with indication of acoustically controlled auditory training which was performed in ten one-hour sessions. Hearing tests in progressively adverse listening conditions were used. In the first and last session of the acoustically controlled auditory training program, the individuals were submitted to the Scale of Auditory Behaviors. The appropriate statistical tests were applied considering a p-value less than 0.05. Results: questions Q1, Q2, Q4, Q7, Q8 and Q11 showed statistically significant results and improvement in behaviors after the acoustically controlled auditory training. On the other hand, questions Q3 and Q10 showed a tendency towards significance and the total score in the post time period increased in relation to the pre-moment, pointing to a statistically significant difference that represents complaint reductions. Conclusion: the subjective perception of the individuals and their family members could be identified by the application of SAB in the pre and post auditory training, revealing an improvement in auditory and attention behaviors.

Abstract Introduction The auditory structures of the brainstem are involved in binaural interaction, which contributes to sound location and auditory figure-background perception. Objective To investigate the performance of young adults in the masking level difference (MLD) test, brainstem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEPs) with click stimulus, and frequency-following response (FFR), as well as to verify the correlation between the findings, considering the topographic origin of the components of these procedures. Methods A total of 20 female subjects between 18 and 30 years of age, with normal hearing and no complaints concerning central auditory processing underwent a basic audiological evaluation, as well as the MLD test, BAEP and FFR. Results The mean result on the MLD test was of 10.70 dB. There was a statistically significant difference in the absolute latencies of waves I, III and V in the BAEPs of the ears. A change in the FFR characterized by the absence of the C, E and F waves was noticed. There was a statistically significant difference in the positive correlation of wave V in the BAEPs with the MLD. There was a statistically significant difference in the positive correlation of the mean MLD and the V, A and F components of the FFR. Conclusion The mean MLD was adequate. In the BAEPs, we observed that the click stimulus transmission occurred faster in the right ear. The FFR showed absence of some components. The mean MLD correlated positively with the BAEPs and FFR.

RESUMO Objetivo: Desenvolver e aplicar um programa de estimulação musical em crianças usuárias de Implante Coclear. Método: A pesquisa foi realizada no Ambulatório de Audiologia Educacional - UNIFESP e foi realizada em duas etapas - concepção das atividades da estimulação musical e aplicação das mesmas atividades em cinco crianças usuárias de Implante Coclear, com idades entre 2 e 5 anos, que estavam em terapia fonoaudiológica há pelo menos 12 meses. O grupo de estudo foi submetido a seis sessões de estimulação musical. Foram aplicados três instrumentos para quantificar a evolução da criança: Identificação Musical das Crianças, Desenvolvimento das Habilidades Musicais e o Teste de Aptidão Musical - todos elaborados pelas autoras. Resultados: A estimulação musical surtiu efeito positivo, melhorando as habilidades de ritmo e melodia dos participantes, e as crianças apresentaram desempenho superior a 50% nas tarefas realizadas. A estimulação musical surtiu efeito positivo, melhorando as habilidades de ritmo (p = 0,0267) e melodia (p = 0,0445) dos participantes. Conclusão: Foi possível desenvolver um programa de estimulação musical passível de ser aplicado em crianças usuárias de Implante Coclear inseridas em reabilitação aurioral, as quais se beneficiaram de suas atividades.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To develop and to apply a musical stimulation program for children using Cochlear Implant. Method: The research was conducted at the Educational Audiology Outpatient Clinic, UNIFESP, and was carried out in two stages - conception of the musical stimulation activities and its application in five children using Cochlear Implant, aged between 2 and 5 years, who had been under speech therapy for at least 12 months. The study group was submitted to six sessions of musical stimulation. We used three instruments to quantify the evolution of the child: Children’s Musical Identification, Musical Skills Development and Musical Aptitude Test - all of them were designed by one of the authors. Results: Musical stimulation had a positive effect, thereby improving the rhythm and the melody skills of the participants. The children showed a performance over 50% in the tasks undertaken. Musical stimulation had a positive effect, thereby improving the rhythm (p=0.0267) and the melody (p=0.0445) skills of the participants. Conclusion: We conclude that it is possible to develop a musical stimulation program that can be applied to children using Cochlear Implant inserted in aurioral rehabilitation, who benefit from the activities.

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever os achados audiológicos e das emissões otoacústicas em pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço e compará-los com indivíduos sem a doença. Métodos: estudo observacional transversal comparativo realizado em dois grupos: Estudo: indivíduos com histórico de câncer de cabeça e pescoço submetidos à quimioterapia e/ou radioterapia; Controle: indivíduos sem a doença. A amostra foi composta por 23 indivíduos em cada grupo, pareados considerando idade e gênero. Procedimentos: meatoscopia; audiometria tonal liminar e de altas frequências; logoaudiometria e emissões otoacústicas evocadas transientes, comparados entre os grupos. Testes estatísticos: Qui-quadrado de Pearson; exato de Fisher; igualdade de duas proporções; Wilcoxon; Mann-Whitney e t de Student. Resultados: a comparação entre os grupos revelou diferença estatisticamente significante nas frequências de 3, 6, 8, 10 e 12,5kHz na audiometria tonal liminar, com melhores limiares auditivos tonais no grupo controle. Não foram observadas diferenças significantes entre os grupos nas emissões otoacústicas, quanto a resposta geral e banda de frequência. Conclusão: indivíduos com histórico de câncer de cabeça e pescoço apresentam limiares auditivos tonais mais elevados do que seus controles, sobretudo nas frequências altas, evidenciando o efeito deletério da ototoxicidade no sistema auditivo periférico de adultos. As emissões otoacústicas mostraram-se semelhantes nos dois grupos.

ABSTRACT Purpose: to describe the audiological and otoacoustic emission findings in patients who had head and neck cancer and compare them with individuals without the disease. Methods: a comparative, cross-sectional, observational study encompassing two groups: Study: individuals with a history of head and neck cancer, submitted to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy; Control: individuals without the disease. The sample comprised 23 individuals in each group, matched for age and gender. Procedures in which the groups were compared: meatoscopy; pure-tone threshold and high-frequency audiometry; speech audiometry; transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions. Statistical tests: Pearson’s chi-square; Fisher’s exact; two-proportion Z-test; Wilcoxon; Mann-Whitney; Student’s t-test. Results: the comparison between the groups revealed statistically significant differences at the 3, 6, 8, 10, and 12.5 kHz frequencies in the pure-tone threshold audiometry, with better pure-tone auditory thresholds in the control group. No significant differences were observed between the groups in the otoacoustic emissions regarding the general response and frequency band. Conclusion: individuals with a history of head and neck cancer had higher pure-tone auditory thresholds than their controls, especially at the higher frequencies. This evidences the deleterious effect of ototoxicity on the peripheral auditory system of adults. The otoacoustic emissions were similar in the two groups.

RESUMO Objetivos: verificar o funcionamento das células ciliadas externas e do sistema olivococlear eferente medial e a integridade das vias auditivas no tronco encefálico até o córtex auditivo, em indivíduos afásicos. Métodos: a amostra foi composta por 20 indivíduos, sendo 10 indivíduos sem afasia e 10 indivíduos afásicos, com idades entre 21 e 58 anos. Os procedimentos utilizados foram: pesquisa das emissões otoacústicas por estímulo transiente sem e com ruído, e potencial cognitivo (estímulo toneburst e de fala). Os achados foram analisados a partir da estatística descritiva. Resultados: o efeito de supressão esteve mais presente nos indivíduos sem afasia quando comparado com os afásicos. No potencial cognitivo, o valor médio das latências P3, mostrou-se dentro dos padrões da normalidade com maior latência nos indivíduos com afasia para o estímulo toneburst em ambas as orelhas. Observou-se diferença estatisticamente significante da amplitude P3-N2 para o estímulo toneburst, comparando as orelhas em ambos os grupos, e para o estímulo de fala apenas à orelha esquerda em ambos os grupos. Conclusões: indivíduos afásicos não apresentaram diferenças significantes quanto à supressão das emissões otoacústicas. Quanto ao potencial cognitivo, os indivíduos afásicos apresentaram maior valor de latência em relação aos indivíduos sem afasia.

ABSTRACT Purpose: to verify the functioning of the outer hair cells and the medial efferent olivocochlear system, and the integrity of the auditory pathways in the brainstem up to the auditory cortex, in aphasic individuals. Methods: the sample comprised 20 individuals - 10 without aphasia and 10 with it, aged from 21 to 58 years. The procedures used were the research of the otoacoustic emissions by a transient stimulus with and without noise, and the cognitive potential (tone-burst and speech stimuli). The findings were analyzed based on descriptive statistics. Results: the suppression effect was more present in individuals without aphasia when compared with the aphasic ones. In the cognitive potential, the mean latency values of P3 was within normality standards, with a higher latency in the individuals presented with aphasia for the tone-burst stimulus in both ears. A statistically significant difference of the P3-N2 amplitude was observed for the tone-burst stimulus, comparing the ears in both groups, and for speech stimulus only to the left ear in both groups. Conclusions: aphasic individuals did not present significant differences regarding suppression of the otoacoustic emissions. As for the cognitive potential, the aphasic individuals presented higher latency values when compared to those with no aphasia.

Abstract Introduction The mismatch negativity (MMN) is a negative long-latency auditory potential elicited by any discriminable change in a repetitive aspect of auditory stimulation. This evoked potential can provide cortical information about the sound processing, including in children who use cochlear implants. Objective To identify MMN characteristics regarding latency, amplitude, and wave area in cochlear implanted children and to identify associations among language development, speech perception and family involvement. Methods This is a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study, which compared two groups: study group-children with cochlear implant, and control group-hearing children. The children were submitted to MMN evaluation with non-verbal tone burst stimulus, differing in frequency in sound field at 70 dBHL, with SmartEP equipment (Intelligent Hearing Systems, Miami, FL, USA). Speech perception and language development questionnaires were also applied, and the family participation in the rehabilitation process was classified. Results The occurrence ofMMNwas 73.3% for the control group and 53.3% for the study group. Values of latency, amplitude and area of MMN of children using cochlear implants were similar tothose ofhearingchildren, anddidnot differbetweengroups. The occurrence of MMN was not correlated to the variables of hearing, language and family categories. Conclusion Children with cochlear implants showed similar MMN responses to those of the children in the control group, withmean latency, amplitude andarea of 208.9ms (±12.8), -2.37 μV (±0.38) and 86.5 μVms (±23.4), respectively. There was no correlation between the presence of MMN and children’s performance in the auditory and language development tests or family involvement during rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the audiometric evaluation and acoustic immittance measures in different types of mucopolysaccharidosis. METHOD: Fifty-three mucopolysaccharidosis patients were evaluated. The classification consisted of type I (Hurler syndrome, Hurler-Scheie and Scheie syndrome), type II (Hunter syndrome), type III (Sanfilippo syndrome), type IV (Morquio syndrome), and type VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome). Immittance audiometry and play or conventional threshold tone audiometry were used to obtain auditory thresholds and were chosen according to the patient’s chronological age and ability to understand/respond to the procedure. The findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics and considering the recommendations for research involving human beings contained in Resolution CNE N° 466/2012. RESULTS: Fifty-one subjects (96.2%) had hearing loss, and the conductive type was the most frequent. Only two (3.8%) patients presented bilateral thresholds within normal limits, one with type IV mucopolysaccharidosis and the other with type VI. There were 11 individuals (20.8%) with mucopolysaccharidosis type I with mixed hearing loss, 9 (16.9%) individuals with type I with conductive hearing loss and 9 (16.9%) with type VI with conductive hearing loss. Mild hearing loss was most common (37.3%), followed by moderately severe hearing loss (36.3%). The type B tympanometric curve (80.4%) was the most frequent. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the individuals with mucopolysaccharidosis types I, II, III, IV and VI presented mixed or conductive hearing losses of mild to moderately severe degree, type B tympanograms and an absence of contralateral acoustic reflexes.

RESUMO Objetivo Pesquisar a habilidade auditiva de atenção seletiva na população escolar e identificar valores de referência para a faixa etária de sete a dez anos por meio do teste Masking Level Difference, além de identificar se a escolaridade dos pais, bem como a renda familiar, pode influenciar os resultados do teste. Método Participaram do estudo 31 escolares que se encaixaram nos critérios de elegibilidade da pesquisa, sendo 20 do gênero feminino e 11 do gênero masculino. Realizou-se anamnese para questionamento da renda familiar e escolaridade dos pais do escolar, inspeção visual do meato acústico externo, audiometria tonal liminar, logoaudiometria, medidas de imitância acústica, teste Dicótico de Dígitos e teste Masking Level Difference. Resultados A idade média dos indivíduos foi de 8,67 anos. Não foi observada diferença entre os gêneros e entre as idades avaliadas, no desempenho do MLD. Não houve relação entre a escolaridade dos pais e a renda mensal média com o desempenho das crianças no MLD. A média do MLD foi de 7,65 dB, com desvio padrão de 2,51 dB. Conclusão O Masking Level Difference em escolares de sete a dez anos é de 7,65 dB e independe do gênero, do nível de escolaridade dos pais ou da renda mensal média da família do escolar.

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the auditory ability of selective attention in the school population and to identify reference values to the age group from seven to ten years old through the Masking Level Difference Test, and to identify if the parents’ schooling, as well as the family income can influence the test results. Methods Thirty-one schoolchildren who match the eligibility criteria attended the study, being 20 female and 11 male. An anamnesis was conducted to question the familiar income and the schooling of the children´s parents; we also performed visual inspection of the External Acoustic Meatus, Pure Tone Audiometry, Speech Audiometry, Acoustic Immittance Measures, Dichotic Digits Test and Masking Level Difference test. Results The mean age of the individuals was 8.67 years. There were no observed differences between genders and between the evaluated ages in the MLD performance. There was no relation between the parents’ schooling and the average monthly income with the performance of the children in MLD Test. The MLD mean was 7.65 dB and standard deviation of 2.51 dB. Conclusion The Masking Level Difference in schoolchildren from seven to ten years old is 7.65 dB and is independent of the gender, parents’ schooling and the average monthly income of the schoolchild.