Test-retest reliability of the Greek Speech-in-babble test (SinB) as a potential screening tool for auditory processing disorder

Introduction: There seems to exist a specific group of people considered to be at higher risk of having Auditory Processing Disorders (APD). These patients are frequently initially referred to, or managed by various professionals such as Otolaryngologists, Speech Therapists, and Occupational Therapists. It is, therefore, essential to retain a low threshold of when to refer such individuals for a formal APD diagnostic evaluation. Under these circumstances, there might be a role for the Greek Speech-in-Babble (SinB) recognition WA as a screening tool for abnormal auditory processing competency. Objective: To explore the WA-retest reliability of a diagnostically validated speech-in-babble test, the Greek SinB, as a potential screening tool. Methods: Ten health professionals coming from various disciplines administered the SinB WA twice, under conditions similar to those encountered when using it as a screening tool, and test-retest reliability was assessed. 93 Greek-speaking individuals, of whom 27 adults and 66 children or young adolescents aged five years old or more, served as our study sample. Results: For the right ear, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was 0.858 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.786-0.906. Slightly better conditions apply for the left ear, as the ICC was 0.873 with 95% CI = 0.809-0.916. These 95% CIs indicate a 'good' to 'excellent' level of reliability for both ears. Spearman's rho was 0.86 and 0.71 for the right and left ear, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the WA possesses the required reliability to evaluate a subject's hearing abilities under screening conditions. On these terms, it could be used to screen populations considered as being at risk for Auditory Processing Disorders. Forthcoming research should focus on establishing its efficiency by comparing the results of the screening WA with that of diagnostic tests and on fine-tuning SinB as a screening tool.