The detection of binaural interaction is of diagnostic interest in patients with central
auditory processing disorders (CAPDs), as binaural hearing tasks are frequently affected in these patients. Owing to the comorbidity associated with disorders such as an
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, pathological results in subjective tests often show extra-auditory factors such as reduced attention rather than impaired central auditory function. Therefore, objective measures for
auditory processing disorders are essential. The binaural interaction component (
BIC), which is the arithmetical difference between the sum of the monaurally evoked auditory potentials of each ear and the binaurally evoked brainstem potentials, has been used as an objective measure of binaural interaction in humans.
BIC measurements can therefore be considered as a possible diagnostic tool in
CAPD patients. One aim of the present study was to examine whether and to what extent
BIC measurements are capable of differentiating between normal children and children 'at risk for
CAPD'.
BIC measurements were performed on 17 children at risk for
CAPD and in a group of 25 children with normal results in the central audiometric tests used. Using the presence or absence of clearly demonstrable
BIC waveforms as an indication of whether a
CAPD is present or not, a sensitivity and specificity of 76% could be achieved. We conclude that
BIC measurements might be of some diagnostic value in
CAPD patients.