Beyond the central auditory nervous system: the relation between emotional difficulties and auditory processing

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between emotional difficulties and auditory processing. METHODS: A total of 94 students aged 18 to 30 years participated in this cross-sectional study. After assessing the level of anxiety and depression with Beck questionnaires, the performance of auditory processing was examined with dichotic digit (DDT), pitch pattern (PPST), quick speech in noise tests (QSIN), Digit span tests (DST), such as Digit Span Forward (DSF) and Digit Span Backward (DSB) and hyperacusis questionnaire (HQ). RESULTS: Out of 94 participants, 68 individuals (72.3%) experienced some degree of anxiety and depression. A significant relationship was found between anxiety and HQ. There was no relation between anxiety and DSB, DDT, PPST, and QSIN. There was a significant correlation between depression and QSIN. There was no relationship between depression, HQ, DDT, PPST and DSB. The results indicated that anxiety and depression on their own are not correlated with DSF. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a weak relationship exists between hyperacusis and anxiety. Moreover, emotional factors like anxiety and depression may not have an impact on certain auditory processing functions.