Ronald L Schow, J Anthony Seikel, Jeff E Brockett, Mary M Whitaker
The MAPA-2 is a comprehensive assessment of auditory processing and listening skills. It may be used as a screener to be followed by other behavioural or physiological tests or it may be used for a preliminary diagnosis in the auditory area. The test is administered via CD and can be used in a clinical setting or a sound booth.
The MAPA-2 includes eight different subtests in the three domains (monaural, temporal, and binaural) that ASHA and AAA recommend for auditory processing assessment along with the Scale of Auditory Behaviors, a 12-item parent or teacher completed questionnaire of listening behaviours.
Monaural: Evaluate an individual’s ability to use low redundancy information.
Temporal: Evaluate an individual’s ability to use acoustic information over time.
Binaural: Evaluate an individual’s ability to use unique information presented simultaneously to each ear.
Supplemental Subtests: Additional tests that can be used to assess an individual’s skill in the temporal area.
The MAPA-2 was standardised on a nationally representative sample of 748 children and adolescents.
Administration and Scoring
The full MAPA-2 can be administered in about 30-40 minutes. Scoring is easy and straightforward. Raw scores are reported as scaled scores and percentile ranks for subtests, and as standard scores and percentile ranks for the Domains and the Overall score. Additional qualitative analyses of the SINCA, Dichotic Digits, and Gap Detection subtests are provided:
Significant changes in scores over time can be documented with the Reliable Change Index.
The MAPA-2 can be administered either in a clinical audiometry environment (sound booth and audiometer) or by using standard circumaural headphones and an audio player. Headphones with increased performance in low frequencies and ear bud style transducers are NOT recommended because they could alter the outcomes of testing.
Reliability and Validity