It must be clearly stated at the outset that only a certified audiologist can diagnose amblyaudia or any other type of auditory processing disorder. Furthermore, the diagnosis of amblyaudia should only be done in connection with a comprehensive audiologic and auditory processing evaluation performed in a clinical setting. Audiologists can use our software for administering dichotic listening tests as part of that comprehensive evaluation, but the diagnosis of any disorder must be derived from a clinical decision matrix that follows standards of our profession.
Other individuals can use our software to determine whether there may be a risk of a binaural integration type of auditory processing disorder. Speech language pathologists, educators and family members can use the test to see if performance falls outside of the range of normal. If performance is abnormal, a referral for a comprehensive auditory processing evaluation is necessary. If performance is normal but there are concerns about auditory processing skills, a referral for a comprehensive auditory processing evaluation is still necessary because there may be other types of auditory processing difficulties present.
This software was developed as a tool for audiologists to facilitate their assessment protocol. When used by an audiologist, the material must be delivered via a calibrated audiometer with calibration performed prior to beginning the first test. Without appropriate calibration, the results cannot be compared to normative data for either test.
The software was also developed to increase awareness of the risks of amblyaudia in the population in general and to increase referrals for comprehensive auditory processing evaluations. Individuals can use the software to deliver the test material through a laptop computer connected to noise-reduction earphones. Output should be set to a comfortable listening level and adjusted separately for each test.