A Screening Tool of Amusia: Amusia Hearing Screening Test Results Among Learning-Disabled and Typical Children

Amusia, or tone deafness, is an auditory disorder affecting music processing. This study aimed to compare performance on a newly developed hearing screening test for amusia between typical students and students with learning difficulties. It also examined whether variables such as gender, age, and music education influence amusia detection. The screening tool, developed through laboratory evaluation, comprises seven acoustic subtests ("dissonant intervals", "out of tone", "contour", "memory", "rhythm", "integration", and "emotion") using piano timbre in a major mode. Participants included 100 typical students and 100 students with learning difficulties (aged 6–12 years) with normal hearing. The 15-minute test was administered via headphones. The results showed that while only 8% of typical students scored in the amusia range, 53% of students with learning difficulties failed the test, highlighting a high comorbidity between the two conditions. Furthermore, variables such as gender and music education did not significantly affect test performance, whereas age appeared to influence the results, although this finding is not widely validated by other research. Validation of the tool against the Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Amusia (MBEA) demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity. These findings support the link between amusia and learning difficulties, showcasing the screening tool's practical and scientific value for both pediatric and general populations.