Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

Speech Perception in Noise and Auditory Temporal Processing in Pediatric Hearing Aid Users

Document Type : Original

Authors
Mirhan Eldeeb 1
Norhan Mostafa Shaban 1
Alaa Mamdouh Radwan 2
HebatAllah Ismail Abdelmotaleb 1
1 Audio-vestibular Medicine Unit, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Champollion Street, Alazareeta, P.O. Box 21526, Alexandria, Egypt.
2 Phoniatrics Unit, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Champollion Street, Alazareeta, P.O. Box 21526, Alexandria, Egypt.
10.22038/ijorl.2026.96385.4167
Abstract
Introduction:
Children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) may experience difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments despite appropriate hearing aid (HA) fitting. The underlying contributions of temporal processing, cognitive factors, and the timing of rehabilitation remain poorly understood. The study aimed to evaluate speech perception in noise among children with SNHL and rehabilitated with HAs and to assess its relationship with temporal processing and other factors, including cognitive abilities, language abilities, and age of rehabilitation with HAs.

Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study included a cohort of 40 children (20 hearing-impaired children using HAs and 20 age- and sex-matched normal-hearing controls). All participants underwent basic audiological evaluation, cognitive evaluation, language assessment, speech-in-noise (SIN) test, and temporal processing tests, including the pitch discrimination test, pitch pattern sequence test, and auditory fusion test-revised.

Results:
The hearing-impaired group showed poorer performance than the control group across all measures of the SIN test and temporal processing. In the hearing-impaired group, SIN test scores demonstrated significant correlations with temporal processing measures, as well as with cognitive and language scores. Earlier HA fitting and longer HA use were associated with better performance.

Conclusion:
Despite adequate amplification, children with SNHL demonstrate reduced speech perception in noise performance, which appears to be related to temporal processing. These findings suggest that functional listening outcomes may extend beyond peripheral audibility and that early and sustained HA use may contribute to improved auditory performance. The study indicates the potential importance of incorporating central auditory processing assessment in pediatric HA users.
Keywords
Sensorineural hearing loss
"> Speech perception in noise
Auditory Temporal processing
Hearing aids
Cognitive ability
Language abilities
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Volume 38, Issue 6
November and December 2026
Pages 409-420