Traits of Developmental Disorders in Adults With Listening Difficulties Without Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder And/or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Background: Some individuals have a normal audiogram but have listening difficulties (LiD). As many studies have investigated the relationship between listening and developmental disorders, the traits of developmental disorders might explain the symptoms of LiD. In this study, we examined the traits of developmental disorders of adults with LiD to help clarify the cause of LiD symptoms. Methods: In total, 60 adults with LiD and 57 adults without LiD were included. Participants completed a questionnaire for the autism spectrum quotient (AQ) test, the Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Rating Scale (A-ADHD), the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (SP), and the severity of subjective LiD in daily life. Results: Before analysis, we excluded participants with LiD who were already diagnosed or met the criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or ADHD, and the results of the remaining 30 participants (50.0%) with LiD were analyzed. Adults with LiD showed higher scores than those without LiD in the AQ. Attention switching in the AQ and attention ability in the A-ADHD scale were correlated with the severity of LiD symptoms in everyday life. The AQ scores were also significantly correlated with subscales of the SP. Conclusions: Adults with LiD showed greater autistic traits than those without LiD; therefore, LiD symptoms are possibly related to autistic symptoms. Furthermore, adults with LiD might have attention disorder traits of both ASD and ADHD and sensory processing problems. These findings suggest that the attention problems in adults with LiD noted in previous studies might be related to these traits of developmental disorders.

Keywords: attention switching; listening difficulties; questionnaires; trait of developmental disorder.

Figure 1

Comparison of the AQ subscale between adults with and without LiD. This figure presents the mean and standard deviation for each AQ subscale score for adults with and without LiD. A two-way ANOVA showed the main effects of the participants (F = 37.747, p < 0.001) and subscales (F = 16.086, p < 0.001). ANOVA: analysis of variance; AQ: autism spectrum quotient; LiD: listening difficulties.

Figure 2

Scatter plot of the AQ subscale and LiD questionnaire in adults with and without LiD. This figure presents the relationships between the subscales of the AQ and LiD questionnaire that were significant in both groups as a scatter plot. The combined results of both adults with and without LiD showed significant correlations between the attention switching of the AQ and SSQ scores (r = −0.465, p < 0.001), psychological score and social skills of the AQ (r = −0.331, p = 0.002), and psychological score and communication of the AQ (r = −0.587, p < 0.001). AQ: autism spectrum quotient; LiD: listening difficulties; SSQ: Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale.

Figure 3

Relationship between the attention switching score or communication score of the AQ and A-ADHD score in people with LiD. This figure presents the relationship between the AQ scores and A-ADHD scores in adults with LiD. The results revealed that the A-ADHD scores were significantly correlated between the AQ attention switching scores and communication scores. There were no significant correlations between the A-ADHD scores and social skills, attention to detail, or imagination. A-ADHD: adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; AQ: autism spectrum quotient; LiD: listening difficulties.