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Awad DR, Tang AJ, Venskytis EJ, Levy R, Kitsko DJ, Shaffer AD, Chi DH. Socioeconomic status and pediatric cochlear implant usage during COVID-19. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2024; 176:111800. [PMID: 38007839 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE COVID-19 (COVID) delayed access to speech and hearing services. The objective of this study was to identify interactions between socioeconomic status (SES) and cochlear implant (CI) usage during COVID. METHODS Consecutive pediatric patients (age 0-17) with CI and audiology visits between 2019 and 2022 at a tertiary care children's hospital were reviewed. Age, sex, race, insurance type, and proxy measures for SES using zip code were recorded. Hours spent with CI on and in different listening environments were compared between pre-COVID (1/1/2019-12/31/2019), COVID (4/1/2020-3/31/2021), and most recent (6/1/2021-5/31/2022) time periods. RESULTS Most patients were male (32/59, 54 % ears of 48 patients) and White, non-Hispanic (45/59, 76 %). Median age at implant was 2.0 years (range:0.6-12.2). There were no significant differences in hours spent with CI on during COVID compared with pre-COVID. However, children spent more time listening to louder noises (70-79 dB and ≥80 dB) recently compared with during COVID (p = 0.01 and 0.006, respectively). During COVID, children living in areas with greater educational attainment showed smaller reductions in total hours with CI on (β = 0.1, p = 0.02) and hours listening to speech in noise (β = 0.03, p = 0.005) compared with pre-COVID. In the most recent time period, children of minority race (β = -3.94 p = 0.008) and those who were older at implant (β = -0.630, p = 0.02) were more likely to experience reductions in total hours with CI on compared with during COVID. CONCLUSION Interventions which mitigate barriers of implant use and promote rich listening home-environments for at risk populations should be implemented during challenging future social and environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Awad
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anthony J Tang
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Emily J Venskytis
- Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rena Levy
- Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Dennis J Kitsko
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amber D Shaffer
- Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - David H Chi
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Patro A, Holder JT, Brown CL, DeFreese A, Virgin F, Perkins EL. Cochlear Implantation in Very Young Children With Single-Sided Deafness. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 169:1615-1623. [PMID: 37232481 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cochlear implants (CIs) for single-sided deafness (SSD) have only been approved for patients 5 years and older despite data supporting that younger children can also benefit from implantation. This study describes our institution's experience with CI for SSD in children 5 years and younger. STUDY DESIGN Case series with chart review. SETTING Tertiary referral center. METHODS A case series with chart review identified 19 patients up to age 5 years who underwent CI for SSD between 2014 and 2022. Baseline characteristics, perioperative complications, device usage, and speech outcomes were collected. RESULTS The median age at CI was 2.8 (range, 1.0-5.4) years, with 15 (79%) patients being below age 5 at implantation. Etiologies of hearing loss were idiopathic (n = 8), cytomegalovirus (n = 4), enlarged vestibular aqueduct (n = 3), hypoplastic cochlear nerve (n = 3), and meningitis (n = 1). The median preoperative pure-tone average was 90 (range, 75-120) and 20 (range, 5-35) dB eHL in the poor and better hearing ears, respectively. No patients had postoperative complications. Twelve patients achieved consistent device use (average, 9 h/d). Three of the seven who were not consistent users had hypoplastic cochlear nerves and/or developmental delays. The three patients with available preoperative and postoperative speech testing showed significant benefits, and five patients with available postoperative testing demonstrated speech recognition in the implanted ear when isolated from the better ear. CONCLUSION CI can safely be performed in younger children with SSD. Patients and families accept early implantation, as evidenced by consistent device use, and derive notable benefits in speech recognition. Candidacy can be broadened to include SSD patients under age five years, particularly individuals without hypoplastic cochlear nerves or developmental delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Patro
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jourdan T Holder
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Hearing and Speech Science, Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Christine L Brown
- Department of Hearing and Speech Science, Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Andrea DeFreese
- Department of Hearing and Speech Science, Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Frank Virgin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Perkins
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Wener E, Booth L, Bensky H, Desai V, Negandhi J, Cushing SL, Papsin BC, Gordon KA. Exposure to Spoken Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Children With Cochlear Implants. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2339042. [PMID: 37889489 PMCID: PMC10611997 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance School closures and other COVID-19-related restrictions could decrease children's exposure to speech during important stages of development. Objective To assess whether significant decreases in exposure to spoken communication found during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic among children using cochlear implants are confirmed for a larger cohort of children and were sustained over the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study used datalogs collected from children with cochlear implants during clinical visits to a tertiary pediatric hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from January 1, 2018, to November 11, 2021. Children with severe to profound hearing loss using cochlear implants were studied because their devices monitored and cataloged levels and types of sounds during hourly use per day (datalogs) and because their hearing and spoken language development was particularly vulnerable to reduced sound exposure. Statistical analyses were conducted between January 2022 and August 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Daily hours of sound were captured by the cochlear implant datalogging system and categorized into 6 auditory scene categories, including speech and speech-in-noise. Time exposed to speech was calculated as the sum of daily hours in speech and daily hours in speech-in-noise. Residual hearing in the ear without an implant of children with unilateral cochlear implants was measured by pure tone audiometry. Mixed-model regression analyses revealed main effects with post hoc adjustment of 95% CIs using the Satterthwaite method. Results Datalogs (n = 2746) from 262 children (137 with simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants [74 boys (54.0%); mean (SD) age, 5.8 (3.5 years)], 38 with sequential bilateral cochlear implants [24 boys (63.2%); mean (SD) age, 9.1 (4.2) years], and 87 with unilateral cochlear implants [40 boys (46.0%); mean (SD) age, 7.9 (4.6) years]) who were preschool aged (n = 103) and school aged (n = 159) before the COVID-19 pandemic were included in analyses. There was a slight increase in use among preschool-aged bilateral cochlear implant users through the pandemic (early pandemic, 1.4 h/d [95% CI, 0.3-2.5 h/d]; late pandemic, 2.3 h/d [95% CI, 0.6-4.0 h/d]) and little change in use among school-aged bilateral cochlear implant users (early pandemic, -0.6 h/d [95% CI, -1.1 to -0.05 h/d]; late pandemic, -0.3 h/d [95% CI, -0.9 to 0.4 h/d]). However, use decreased during the late pandemic period among school-aged children with unilateral cochlear implants (-1.8 h/d [95% CI,-3.0 to -0.6 h/d]), particularly among children with good residual hearing in the ear without an implant. Prior to the pandemic, children were exposed to speech for approximately 50% of the time they used their cochlear implants (preschool-aged children: bilateral cochlear implants, 46.6% [95% CI, 46.5%-47.2%] and unilateral cochlear implants, 52.1% [95% CI, 50.7%-53.5%]; school-aged children: bilateral cochlear implants, 47.6% [95% CI, 46.8%-48.4%] and unilateral cochlear implants, 51.0% [95% CI, 49.4%-52.6%]). School-aged children in both groups experienced significantly decreased speech exposure in the early pandemic period (bilateral cochlear implants, -12.1% [-14.6% to -9.4%]; unilateral cochlear implants, -15.5% [-20.4% to -10.7%]) and late pandemic periods (bilateral cochlear implants, -5.3% [-8.0% to -2.6%]; unilateral cochlear implants, -11.2% [-15.3% to -7.1%]) compared with the prepandemic baseline. Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study using datalogs from children using cochlear implants suggests that a sustained reduction in children's access to spoken communication was found during more than 2 years of COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns and school closures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Wener
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lindsay Booth
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hailey Bensky
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Veeral Desai
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jaina Negandhi
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sharon L. Cushing
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Blake C. Papsin
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen A. Gordon
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Communication Disorders, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Marriage JE, Keshavarzi M, Moore BCJ. An association between auditory responsiveness of children and duration of entertainment screen time in the early years of life. Int J Audiol 2023:1-7. [PMID: 37750302 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2260097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine whether the responsiveness of young children to simple sounds was associated with entertainment screen time (EST), opportunities for social interaction, and social and communication skills. DESIGN Parents completed a questionnaire covering, for years one and two, the number of times the child met with other children; the number of words the child spoke; and the daily amount of EST. Social, attention and communication skills were assessed. STUDY SAMPLE Participants were 118 children, aged 15 to 46 months. They were initially assessed behaviourally using simple sounds. Children who responded to such sounds were denoted the Responsive group. Children who did not were assessed using familiar songs and denoted the Unresponsive group. RESULTS The two groups did not differ significantly in mean age or the number of opportunities to meet other children. The Unresponsive group had significantly fewer words than the Responsive group at 12 and 24 months and had significantly higher EST than the Responsive group for years 1 and 2. The Unresponsive group showed lower social, attention and communication skills than the Responsive group. CONCLUSIONS High EST was associated with poorer auditory and social skills. Hence, it may be wise to limit the EST of young children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahmoud Keshavarzi
- Centre for Neuroscience in Education, Cambridge Hearing Group, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Brian C J Moore
- Cambridge Hearing Group, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Gordon KA, Alemu R, Papsin BC, Negandhi J, Cushing SL. Effects of Age at Implantation on Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Children with Short Durations of Single-Sided Deafness. Otol Neurotol 2023; 44:233-240. [PMID: 36728258 PMCID: PMC9924958 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000003811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children with single-sided deafness (SSD) show reduced language and academic development and report hearing challenges. We aim to improve outcomes in children with SSD by providing bilateral hearing through cochlear implantation of the deaf ear with minimal delay. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study of 57 children with SSD provided with cochlear implant (CI) between May 13, 2013, and June 25, 2021. SETTING Tertiary children's hospital. PARTICIPANTS Children with early onset (n = 40) or later onset of SSD (n = 17) received CIs at ages 2.47 ± 1.58 years (early onset group) and 11.67 ± 3.91 years (late onset group) (mean ± SD). Duration of unilateral deafness was limited (mean ± SD = 1.93 ± 1.56 yr). INTERVENTION Cochlear implantation of the deaf ear. MAIN OUTCOMES/MEASURES Evaluations of device use (data logging) and hearing (speech perception, effects of spatial release from masking on speech detection, localization of stationary and moving sound, self-reported hearing questionnaires). RESULTS Results indicated that daily device use is variable (mean ± SD = 5.60 ± 2.97, range = 0.0-14.7 h/d) with particular challenges during extended COVID-19 lockdowns, including school closures (daily use reduced by mean 1.73 h). Speech perception with the CI alone improved (mean ± SD = 65.7 ± 26.4 RAU) but, in the late onset group, remained poorer than in the normal hearing ear. Measures of spatial release from masking also showed asymmetric hearing in the late onset group ( t13 = 5.14, p = 0.001). Localization of both stationary and moving sound was poor (mean ± SD error = 34.6° ± 16.7°) but slightly improved on the deaf side with CI use ( F1,36 = 3.95, p = 0.05). Decreased sound localization significantly correlated with poorer self-reported hearing. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Benefits of CI in children with limited durations of SSD may be more restricted for older children/adolescents. Spatial hearing challenges remain. Efforts to increase CI acceptance and consistent use are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen A. Gordon
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children
- Department of Communication Disorders, The Hospital for Sick Children
| | - Robel Alemu
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children
| | - Blake C. Papsin
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jaina Negandhi
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children
| | - Sharon L. Cushing
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto
- Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, The Hospital for Sick Children
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Sönnichsen R, Tó GL, Hohmann V, Hochmuth S, Radeloff A. Challenging Times for Cochlear Implant Users - Effect of Face Masks on Audiovisual Speech Understanding during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Trends Hear 2022; 26:23312165221134378. [PMID: 36437739 PMCID: PMC9709186 DOI: 10.1177/23312165221134378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Unhindered auditory and visual signals are essential for a sufficient speech understanding of cochlear implant (CI) users. Face masks are an important hygiene measurement against the COVID-19 virus but disrupt these signals. This study determinates the extent and the mechanisms of speech intelligibility alteration in CI users caused by different face masks. The audiovisual German matrix sentence test was used to determine speech reception thresholds (SRT) in noise in different conditions (audiovisual, audio-only, speechreading and masked audiovisual using two different face masks). Thirty-seven CI users and ten normal-hearing listeners (NH) were included. CI users showed a reduction in speech reception threshold of 5.0 dB due to surgical mask and 6.5 dB due to FFP2 mask compared to the audiovisual condition without mask. The greater proportion of reduction in SRT by mask could be accounted for by the loss of the visual signal (up to 4.5 dB). The effect of each mask was significantly larger in CI users who exclusively hear with their CI (surgical: 7.8 dB, p = 0.005 and FFP2: 8.7 dB, p = 0.01) compared to NH (surgical: 3.8 dB and FFP2: 5.1 dB). This study confirms that CI users who exclusively rely on their CI for hearing are particularly susceptible. Therefore, visual signals should be made accessible for communication whenever possible, especially when communicating with CI users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Sönnichsen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany,Dr. med. Rasmus Sönnichsen, Universitätsklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Oldenburg, Steinweg 13-17, 26122 Oldenburg
| | - Gerard Llorach Tó
- Auditory Signal Processing and Hearing Devices, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Volker Hohmann
- Auditory Signal Processing and Hearing Devices, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany,Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany,Cluster of Excellence “Hearing 4 All”, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Hochmuth
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Radeloff
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany,Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany,Cluster of Excellence “Hearing 4 All”, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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Villamil V, Wolbring G. Influencing discussions and use of neuroadvancements as professionals and citizens: Perspectives of Canadian speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Work 2022; 71:565-584. [DOI: 10.3233/wor-205104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early involvement of stakeholders in neuroethics and neurogovernance discourses of neuroscientific and neurotechnological advancements is seen as essential to curtail negative consequences. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists (AUs) make use of neuroadvancements including cochlear implants, brain-computer interfaces, and deep-brain stimulation. Although they have a stake in neuroethics and neurogovernance discussions, they are rarely mentioned in having a role, whether as professionals or as citizens. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to explore the role of SLPs and AUs as professionals and citizens in neuroethics and neurogovernance discussions and examine the utility of lifelong learning mechanisms to learn about the implications of neuroadvancements to contribute in a meaningful way to these discussions. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews conducted with 7 SLPs and 3 AUs were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants stated that their roles expected from them as professionals and as citizens indicate the importance to be knowledgeable on ethical, legal, and social implications of neuroadvancements and that lifelong learning is not used to learn about these implications. CONCLUSION: More must be done to facilitate the participation of SLPs and AUs in neuroethics and neurogovernance discussions, which would enrich the neuroethics and neurogovernance discourses benefitting patients, professionals, and the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Villamil
- Speech-Language Pathology, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gregor Wolbring
- Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Obrycka A, Lorens A, Walkowiak A, Wlodarczyk E, Dziendziel B, Skarzynski PH, Skarzynski H. The COVID-19 pandemic and upgrades of CI speech processors for children: part I-procedure of speech processor upgrade. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2022; 279:4809-4813. [PMID: 35217905 PMCID: PMC8881188 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-022-07278-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To demonstrate the feasibility of upgrading speech processors during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Adopting concepts from "lean thinking", we optimized hospital workflows to allow speech processors to be upgraded despite the obstacles arising from national guidelines for COVID-19 prevention. The study involved 297 children, aged from 7.3 to 18.0 years, whose processors were upgraded on five consecutive Saturdays during a time of peak COVID-19 in Poland. RESULTS The optimized workflow allowed us to conduct speech processor upgrades during a time of peak COVID-19 in Poland. The upgrades were conducted as scheduled, patient flow was smooth, appropriate social distancing was kept, and no reports of COVID-19 infection in our patients in the 2 weeks after their visit were received. CONCLUSION Upgrading of speech processors in children is still feasible under coronavirus conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Obrycka
- Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, ul. Mokra 17, Kajetany, 05-830, Nadarzyn, Poland.
| | - Artur Lorens
- Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, ul. Mokra 17, Kajetany, 05-830, Nadarzyn, Poland
| | - Adam Walkowiak
- Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, ul. Mokra 17, Kajetany, 05-830, Nadarzyn, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Wlodarczyk
- Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, ul. Mokra 17, Kajetany, 05-830, Nadarzyn, Poland
| | - Beata Dziendziel
- Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, ul. Mokra 17, Kajetany, 05-830, Nadarzyn, Poland
| | - Piotr Henryk Skarzynski
- Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, ul. Mokra 17, Kajetany, 05-830, Nadarzyn, Poland.,Heart Failure and Cardiac Rehabilitation Department of the Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Sensory Organs, Kajetany, Poland
| | - Henryk Skarzynski
- Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, ul. Mokra 17, Kajetany, 05-830, Nadarzyn, Poland
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Knickerbocker A, Bourn S, Goldstein MR, Jacob A. Cochlear Implant Outcomes in Elderly Recipients During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Otol Neurotol 2021; 42:e1256-e1262. [PMID: 34267095 PMCID: PMC8443422 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000003291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential significance of social distancing and quarantine precautions for COVID-19 on speech outcomes, missed appointments, wear time, and exposure to various sound environments in the first 6 months following activation for elderly cochlear implant (CI) recipients. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort. SETTING Tertiary private practice. PATIENTS Fifty cochlear implant recipients ≥65 years were evaluated. A Control Group consisted of 26 patients implanted between November 2, 2018 and February 18, 2019 while the Pandemic Group included 24 patients implanted between November 1, 2019 and February 17, 2020. INTERVENTION Rehabilitative. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Preoperative and 6-month postoperative AzBio sentence scores in quiet were compared between groups along with the number of missed appointments as well as datalogged information regarding average CI wear time and average hours in various sound environments such as quiet, speech, and speech-in-noise. RESULTS The Control Group averaged 36.5% improvement for AzBio in quiet scores while the Pandemic Group averaged only 17.2% improvement, a difference that was both statistically and clinically significant (p = 0.04; g = 0.64). Patients in the Pandemic Group were nearly twice as likely to miss CI programming appointments than the Control Group. The Pandemic Group wore their CI 1.2 less hours per day on average, and while the Pandemic Group spent similar times in quiet and speech environments to the Control Group, the Pandemic Group spent less time in speech with presence of background noise. CONCLUSIONS While social distancing and quarantine measures are crucial to limiting spread of COVID-19, these precautions may have negatively impacted early speech performance for elderly cochlear implant recipients. Missed CI programming appointments, decreased sound processor wear time, and reduced exposure to complex listening environments such as speech in the presence of background noise were more common in the Pandemic Group than in the Control Group operated the year prior.
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Children and Adolescents with Disabilities and Exposure to Disasters, Terrorism, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Scoping Review. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2021; 23:80. [PMID: 34643813 PMCID: PMC8511280 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-021-01295-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This paper reviews the empirical literature on exposures to disaster or terrorism and their impacts on the health and well-being of children with disabilities and their families since the last published update in 2017. We also review the literature on studies examining the mental health and functioning of children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. RECENT FINDINGS Few studies have examined the effects of disaster or terrorism on children with disabilities. Research shows that children with disabilities and their families have higher levels of disaster exposure, lower levels of disaster preparedness, and less recovery support due to longstanding discriminatory practices. Similarly, many reports of the COVID-19 pandemic have documented its negative and disproportionate impacts on children with disabilities and their families. In the setting of climate change, environmental disasters are expected to increase in frequency and severity. Future studies identifying mitigating factors to disasters, including COVID-19; increasing preparedness on an individual, community, and global level; and evaluating post-disaster trauma-informed treatment practices are imperative to support the health and well-being of children with disabilities and their families.
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