Evaluation of central auditory processing in patients with obstructive sleep APNEA syndrome (central auditory processing in sleep APNEA).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the central auditory processing abilities of patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: A total of 86 individuals aged between 20 and 55 years, with normal pure-tone averages and no history of any pathology that could affect hearing, were included in the study. The study group consisted of 43 individuals diagnosed with OSAS by polysomnography, while the control group comprised 43 individuals without an OSAS diagnosis or related symptoms. All participants underwent pure-tone audiometry test, speech reception threshold (SRT), speech discrimination score (SDS), Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), Duration Pattern Test (DPT), Gaps-in-Noise Test (GIN), and Masking Level Difference (MLD) test. RESULTS: According to the findings, pure-tone thresholds in the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group bilaterally across the 125-8000 Hz frequency range, except at 2000 Hz. The mean SRT values were also significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of SDS. The mean score of the study group in the DPT was significantly higher than that of the control group. No significant differences were observed between the groups in the FPT, GIN, or MLD tests. However, in the SPT, FPT, and GIN tests, the OSAS group exhibited poorer performance compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, both peripheral hearing and central auditory processing abilities were found to be adversely affected in individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.