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Background and Aim: The dichotic auditory-verbal memory test (DAVMT) is useful in detecting auditory-verbal memory deficits and differences in memory function between the brain hemispheres. The purpose of this study was to prepare the Persian version of dichotic auditory-verbal memory test and to obtain its results in 18- to 25-year old normal individuals of both genders in Iran.
Methods: The Persian version of dichotic auditory-verbal memory test like the original one consisted of 18 lists of ten words. The lists were arranged such that 10 words were presented to one ear, with the reverse words simultaneously were presented to the other ear, constituting a dichotic test situation. After preparing the 18 lists, content validity was assessed by a panel of eight experts and then, the words of each list were recorded on CD in a dichotic mode. Thereafter, it was performed on one hundred and ten normal individuals with ages ranging from 18 to 25 years (mean age: 21.3 SD 1.9 years) and the scores were recorded on a specially designed scoring sheet.
Results: There was no significant difference between mean scores of 18 lists of the dichotic auditory-verbal memory test. The overall mean of CVI was 96% for the 18 lists and the mean score of dichotic auditory-verbal memory test was 6.5 SD 1.0 in the normal group.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the Persian version of dichotic auditory-verbal memory test has a good content validity and can be used in detecting the auditory-verbal memory deficits.

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Background and Aim: Memory is one of the aspects of cognitive function which is widely affected among aged people. Since aging has different effects on different memorial systems and little studies have investigated auditory-verbal memory function in older adults using dichotic listening techniques, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the auditory-verbal memory function among old people using Persian version of dichotic auditory-verbal memory test. Methods: The Persian version of dichotic auditory-verbal memory test was administered to 23 old people ranging 60-80 years and 30 young people aging 20-30 years, with normal and symmetric hearing in both ears. The performance of the two groups was compared. Results: The mean score of young (6.36±0.43) and old (4.58±0.74) adults on dichotic auditory-verbal memory test were significantly difference (p=0.001). The correlation test showed a negative correlation between age and the memory scores in aged people (r=0.36). A significant difference in recall of early (p=0.034), middle (p=0.037), and final (p=0.041) words was seen between aged and young people. Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, significant reduction in auditory memory was seen in aged group and the Persian version of dichotic auditory-verbal memory test, like many other auditory verbal memory tests, showed the aging effects on auditory verbal memory performance.