Development and Validation of Web-Based Auditory and Auditory-Cognitive Training Program in Kannada for Children with Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Abstract

Objective: This project focused on the development and validation of an interactive, web-based auditory-cognitive training application for children aged 7 to 12 years with Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) who are native speakers of the Kannada language. Design: An expert-driven modified Delphi process was used for content creation and module refinement to ensure clinical content validity and age appropriateness. The web-based application was developed and loaded with training materials prepared for the Auditory and Auditory-Cognitive modules. The web-based application was evaluated for usability and engagement using the User Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS) among Audiologists. Training was given to 15 children diagnosed as having CAPD. They were divided into three groups: auditory training alone, auditory and auditory-cognitive training, and a waiting group. Before the initiation of training, a pre-training evaluation was conducted to assess frequency discrimination, temporal resolution, speech-in-noise perception, and responses to probe stimuli from the training material. Training was initiated, and the evaluations were repeated 1 month and 2 months post-training. Results: The study's findings revealed that the auditory and auditory-cognitive training modules demonstrated strong content validity. The ratings of the uMARS received high scores for functionality, aesthetics, and overall quality. Both auditory-only training and combined auditory-cognitive training significantly improved frequency discrimination, speech perception in noise, and scores obtained for the different probe stimuli used in auditory training. Children who received additional auditory-cognitive training also showed improvement in the working memory tasks. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the web platform provided accessible, home-based training, suggesting a technology-driven management tool for children with CAPD .