Christos Sidiras
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, Department Member
- Iliadou Vivianedit
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Hearing is a complex ability that extends beyond the peripheral auditory system. A speech in noise/competition test is a valuable measure to include in the test battery when attempting to assess an individual’s “hearing”. The present... more
Hearing is a complex ability that extends beyond the peripheral auditory system. A speech in noise/competition test is a valuable measure to include in the test battery when attempting to assess an individual’s “hearing”. The present study compared syllable vs. word scoring of the Greek Speech-in-Babble (SinB) test with 22 native Greek speaking children (6–12-year-olds) diagnosed with auditory processing disorder (APD) and 33 native Greek speaking typically developing children (6–12-year-olds). A three-factor analysis of variance revealed greater discriminative ability for syllable scoring than word scoring, with significant interactions between group and scoring. Two-way analysis of variance revealed SinB word-based measures (SNR50%) were larger (poorer performance) than syllable-based measures for both groups of children. Cohen’s d values were larger for syllable-based mean scores compared to word-based mean scores between groups for both ears. These findings indicate that the typ...
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Human auditory perception is accomplished with hearing, which is an ability and listening, which is a skill. Pure tone threshold evaluation is the most common test of hearing used in the clinical setting by audiologists. This test focuses... more
Human auditory perception is accomplished with hearing, which is an ability and listening, which is a skill. Pure tone threshold evaluation is the most common test of hearing used in the clinical setting by audiologists. This test focuses on hearing sensitivity in simple sounds (pure tones) and may prove insufficient in identifying listening difficulties in everyday situations. Normal pure tone thresholds do not ensure normal functional hearing (listening), since problems such as reduced speech recognition in noise, or sound localization may be present but remain undetected. Auditory processing is the medical term of listening. This review paper presents the nature of Auditory Processing Disorder, the valid testing approach, its aetiology, clinical populations that may have the disorder and how intervention and management are achieved according to current scientific evidence and clinical practice.
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Research Interests: Philosophy and Perception
The present study investigates the presence of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) in schizophrenia and its association with symptomatology, especially Formal Thought Disorder (FTD). 50 patients with schizophrenia and 25 matched healthy... more
The present study investigates the presence of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) in schizophrenia and its association with symptomatology, especially Formal Thought Disorder (FTD). 50 patients with schizophrenia and 25 matched healthy controls completed a battery of three auditory processing tests. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Thought, Language and Communication (TLC) scale were used to assess clinical symptoms. The patient group was divided into two subgroups, according to FTD severity. Auditory processing performance of the control group and the patient group was evaluated. Correlations between auditory processing scores and TLC scores, as well as auditory processing scores and PANSS scores were examined. Most of the patients, especially those with FTD, had auditory deficits that can be classified as APD. Patients showed impaired performance compared to controls in all tests. Total severity and specific factors of FTD, as well as other clinical symptoms and symptom categories were correlated with auditory processing performance. We provided evidence that APD may be present in schizophrenia and that FTD, as well as other clinical symptoms are associated with auditory processing deficits. There are important clinical implications for non-pharmacological interventions and early diagnosis of schizophrenia.
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It is indicated that auditory perception deficits are present in schizophrenia and related to formal thought disorder. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association of auditory deficits with cognitive impairment in... more
It is indicated that auditory perception deficits are present in schizophrenia and related to formal thought disorder. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association of auditory deficits with cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. An experimental group of 50 schizophrenia patients completed a battery of auditory processing evaluation and a neuropsychological battery of tests. Correlations between neuropsychological battery scores and auditory processing scores were examined. Cognitive impairment was correlated with auditory processing deficits in schizophrenia patients. All neuropsychological test scores were significantly correlated with at least one auditory processing test score. Our findings support the coexistence of auditory processing disorder, severe cognitive impairment, and formal thought disorder in a subgroup of schizophrenia patients. This may have important implications in schizophrenia research, as well as in early diagnosis and nonpharmacological...
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INTRODUCTION There seems to exist a specific group of people considered to be at higher risk of having Auditory Processing Disorders (APD). These patients are frequently initially referred to, or managed by various professionals such as... more
INTRODUCTION There seems to exist a specific group of people considered to be at higher risk of having Auditory Processing Disorders (APD). These patients are frequently initially referred to, or managed by various professionals such as Otolaryngologists, Speech Therapists, and Occupational Therapists. It is, therefore, essential to retain a low threshold of when to refer such individuals for a formal APD diagnostic evaluation. Under these circumstances, there might be a role for the Greek Speech-in-Babble (SinB) recognition test as a screening tool for abnormal auditory processing competency. OBJECTIVE To explore the test-retest reliability of a diagnostically validated speech-in-babble test, the Greek SinB, as a potential screening tool. METHODS Ten health professionals coming from various disciplines administered the SinB test twice, under conditions similar to those encountered when using it as a screening tool, and test-retest reliability was assessed. 93 Greek-speaking individuals, of whom 27 adults and 66 children or young adolescents aged five years old or more, served as our study sample. RESULTS For the right ear, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was 0.858 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.786-0.906. Slightly better conditions apply for the left ear, as the ICC was 0.873 with 95% CI = 0.809-0.916. These 95% CIs indicate a 'good' to 'excellent' level of reliability for both ears. Spearman's rho was 0.86 and 0.71 for the right and left ear, respectively. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the test possesses the required reliability to evaluate a subject's hearing abilities under screening conditions. On these terms, it could be used to screen populations considered as being at risk for Auditory Processing Disorders. Forthcoming research should focus on establishing its efficiency by comparing the results of the screening test with that of diagnostic tests and on fine-tuning SinB as a screening tool.
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Research Interests: Psychology, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Perception, Learning and Teaching, and 15 moreRhythm, Psychoacoustics, Attention, Auditory Neuroscience, Neural Oscillations, Medicine, Children, Hearing, Auditory temporal processing, Auditory Processing, Auditory Processing Disorders, Basal ganglia, Neurosciences, Parkinsons Disease, and Auditory Processing Disorder
Background: The known link between auditory perception and cognition is often overlooked when testing for cognition. Purpose: To evaluate auditory perception in a group of older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).... more
Background: The known link between auditory perception and cognition is often overlooked when testing for cognition. Purpose: To evaluate auditory perception in a group of older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Research Design: A cross-sectional study of auditory perception. Study Sample: Adults with MCI and adults with no documented cognitive issues and matched hearing sensitivity and age. Data collection: Auditory perception was evaluated in both groups, assessing for hearing sensitivity, speech in babble (SinB), and temporal resolution. Results: Mann–Whitney test revealed significantly poorer scores for SinB and temporal resolution abilities of MCIs versus normal controls for both ears. The right-ear gap detection thresholds on the Gaps-In-Noise (GIN) Test clearly differentiated between the two groups (p < 0.001), with no overlap of values. The left ear results also differentiated the two groups (p < 0.01); however, there was a small degree of overlap ...
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Background: Including speech recognition in noise testing in audiological evaluations may reveal functional hearing deficits that may otherwise remain undetected. Purpose: The current study explored the potential utility of the... more
Background: Including speech recognition in noise testing in audiological evaluations may reveal functional hearing deficits that may otherwise remain undetected. Purpose: The current study explored the potential utility of the Speech-in-Babble (SinB) test in the assessment of central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) in young children for whom diagnosis is challenging. Research Design: A cross-sectional analysis. Study Sample: Forty-one Greek children 4–13 yr of age diagnosed with CAPD and exhibiting listening and academic problems (clinical group) and 20 age-matched controls with no listening or academic problems participated in the study. Data Collection and Analysis: All participants’ auditory processing was assessed using the same tests and instrumentation in a sound-treated room. Two equivalent lists of the SinB test, developed at the Psychoacoustic Laboratory of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, were administered monaurally in a counterbalanced order. SinB consists ...
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Research Interests:
Hearing loss is the third leading cause of years lived with disability. It is estimated that 430 million people worldwide are affected, and the number of cases is expected to increase in the future. There is therefore increased pressure... more
Hearing loss is the third leading cause of years lived with disability. It is estimated that 430 million people worldwide are affected, and the number of cases is expected to increase in the future. There is therefore increased pressure on hearing health systems around the world to improve efficiency and reduce costs to ensure increased access to quality hearing health care. Here, we describe the User-Operated Audiometry project, the goal of which is to introduce an automated system for user-operated audiometric testing into everyday clinic practice as a means to relieve part of this pressure. The alternative to the existing referral route is presented in which examination is executed via the user-operated system. This route is conceptualized as an interaction between the patient, the system, and the hearing care professional (HCP). Technological requirements of the system and challenges that are related to the interaction between patients, the user-operated system, and the HCPs wit...