Central auditory processing in epileptic children

Abstract Background Epilepsy is characterized by the transient occurrence of signs or symptoms due to hypersynchronous or excessive neuronal activity. Seizures caused by epilepsy during brain development can hinder the normal growth and functioning of the brain, which may negatively impact the acquisition of cognitive skills that are crucial for the learning process. The purpose of the study was to evaluate central auditory processing and cognitive functions in different types of epileptic children. Results The results of central auditory processing tests for epileptic children indicated notable differences when compared to the control group, specifically in the gap in noise, speech in noise, dichotic digit, and time-compressed speech tests. These differences were statistically significant at a level of P < 0.005. Epileptic children showed prolonged latencies and smaller amplitudes of the p300 wave when compared to the control ( P < 0.005). Conclusion Children with focal epilepsy had more deficits in central auditory processing abilities and abnormalities in auditory event-related potentials (p300) than generalized epilepsy.