Preliminary normative data for adult English first and second language speakers in South Africa on the "RSA low linguistically loaded central auditory processing test battery"

Abstract

English: The lack of standardized test materials in the 11 official languages of South Africa led to the development of the "RSA low linguistically loaded central auditory processing test battery" as an interim measure until these tests can be developed. This study aimed at collecting and comparing preliminary normative data for English first and second language speakers in South Africa on this test battery and to compare the results with the available USA normative data. Thirty two participants were included in the study and were divided into two research groups depending on their proficiency in English. A between group research design was used to collate and compare the data. Results indicated that the two research groups performed equivalently on all tests apart from the Dichotic Digits test for the right ear and a qualitative comparison with the USA normative data showed lower scores for tests not involving speech stimuli. Accent and presentation levels affected the results but not significantly. Results point to the possibility of using the test battery reliably with population groups whose first language is not English but who have a good proficiency in the language and reiterates the need for development of specific test materials in all the official languages.Afrikaans: Die tekort aan gestandardiseerde toetsmateriaals in al 11 amptelike tale van Suid-Afrika het gelei tot die ontwikkeling van die "RSA low linguistically loaded central auditory processing test battery" as 'n tussentydse maatstaf totdat hierdie toetse ontwikkel kan word. Die studie het ten doel gehad om hierdie toetsbattery te gebruik om voorlopige normatiewe data te versamel en te vergelyk vir Engels eerste- en tweedetaal sprekers in Suid-Afrika en om die resultate met die beskikbare VSA normatiewe data te vergelyk. Twee en dertig deelnemers was ingesluit in die studie en is in twee groepe verdeel op grond van hul vaardigheid in Engels. 'n Tussengroep navorsigsontwerp is gebruik om die data te versamel and vergeluik. Resultate het aangedui dat die twee navorsingsgroepe ewe goed presteer het op alle toetse behalwe die Dichotic Digits test vir die regte oor en 'n kwalitatiewe vergelyking met die VSA normatiewe data het laer punte vir toetse getoon wat nie spraak stimulie behels het nie. Resultate is deur aksent en aanbiedingsvlakke beinvloed, maar nie beduidend nie. Resultate dui op die moontlike betroubare gebruik van hierdie toets met populasiegroepe wat nie Engels eerstetaal sprekers is nie, op die voorwaarde dat hulle oor 'n goeie vaardigheid in die taal beskik en <lit bevestig verder die behoefte vir die ontwikkeling van spesifieke toetsmateriaal in al die amptelike tale.