The aims of this study are to evaluate auditory sensitivity in teenagers with ADHD using acoustic reflex thresholds (ART) and to examine the effects of ADHD stimulant medication on ART.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children. Besides core ADHD symptoms (inattentiveness, hyperactivity, impulsivity), ADHD also affects the ability to perceive and process sounds. Both hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity to loud sounds are common symptoms in ADHD patients. With stimulant medication, individuals with ADHD become more tolerant of loud noise than when they were non-medicated. It remains unknown exactly how stimulant medication alters the loudness perception. The proposed study will use the acoustic reflex to objectively measure auditory sensitivity to loud sounds. The aims of this study are to evaluate auditory sensitivity in patients with ADHD using acoustic reflex thresholds (ART) and to examine the effects of ADHD stimulant medication on ART. Eligible participants will participate in two sessions (off-med and on-med conditions) conducted on the same day. ADHD patients will be asked to come to the laboratory before taking their ADHD medication. The investigators will repeat three tests before and after taking stimulant medication. The investigators will also conduct screening tests during and between the first and second sessions. The investigators will compare a difference between the two independent groups (ADHD vs. Control) and compare a within subject difference between medication conditions (on-med vs. off-med).
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
70
Both ADHD and control groups of subjects will participate in 2 sessions (on-med and off-med conditions) conducted on the same day. ADHD group will be asked to come to the laboratory in the morning before taking their morning ADHD stimulant medication. They will be tested before and after taking their ADHD medication (off-med and on-med conditions). The investigators will observe changes between the two conditions.
Nemours Children's Health
Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Acoustic reflex
Acoustic reflex thresholds in each ear
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Loudness discomfort level
Average loudness levels judged as uncomfortably loud sounds by each participant
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Speech perception in noise
Speech perception scores in each ear measured in two separate sessions
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Tympanogram
Results of tympanometry (type, volume, pressure, compliance, gradient) to measure middle ear function
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Otoacoustic emissions
Measure of inner ear function
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
NIH Toolbox Cognition testing
Measures of cognitive functions
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Hearing screening
Pure-tone hearing test to measure hearing sensitivity
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Sensory profile questionnaire
Sensory processing assessment
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
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Fidgeting
Measure of wrist movements during the testing
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year