„Ihr Kind ist schwerhörig” – Eine Verlaufsuntersuchung zum elterlichen Befinden

Postnatal genetic umbilical cord analysis for earliest possible detection of inherited hearing impairment

INTRODUCTION

The most common sensorineural disorder in humans is hearing impairment and approximately 60% of prelingual hearing disorders are genetic. Especially parents with a congenital deaf child want to know as early as possible whether their second born child has the same genetic defect or not. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that postnatal genetic umbilical cord analysis is both the earliest detection possibility and sufficient.

METHODS

We included first born children with severe hearing impairment that underwent cochlear implantation. All included patients were analyzed genetically and exhibited mutations of either DFNB1 loci or SLC26A4 gene. Additionally, the umbilical cord of the sibling underwent genetic analysis to detect hereditary genetic mutations as early as possible.

RESULTS

49 newborn children out of 22 families were included in this study. Genetic analysis revealed clinical relevant mutations in all first born children and in four siblings via umbilical cord analysis. All patients who have been diagnosed with a relevant genetic mutation that caused severe hearing impairment underwent hearing rehabilitation via cochlear implant surgery.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the sufficient and early as possible detection of known genetically hearing disorders via umbilical cord analysis. In case of a known familial genetic hearing disorder, it is advisable to analyze newborn siblings for the corresponding genetic defect as soon as possible, to be able to plan and initiate clinical care for the patient as early as possible. It is also extremely important for the parents to obtain clear information about the auditory status of the newborn.

A comparison of the quality of life of parents of children using hearing aids and those using cochlear implants

Objective

The goal of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of parents of children who use hearing aids (HA) with those who use cochlear implants (CI) in the Indian context and document any differences found.

Methods

The Kannada version of the AQoL-4D was administered in a modified fashion to 131 parents (87 HA and 44 CI). Sociodemographic details were collected for supplemental information on the intervention strategy used.

Results

A total of 49 parents (29 HA and 20 CI) responded to the questionnaire sent. The mean total scores for both the groups were similar (HA group = 17.9 (SD = 5.5), CI group = 17.2 (SD = 3.4)), as was the score for the first subscale (HA group = 8.6 (SD = 2.9); CI group = 8.5 (SD = 2.6)) of the AQoL-4D. No significant differences were found between the two groups on either scores [Total Score: U (N_HA = 29, N_CI = 20) = 280.5, z = −0.194, p > 0.05; Subscale 1 Score: U (N_HA = 29, N_CI = 20) = 281.5, z = −0.176, p > 0.05]. The degree of hearing loss in the hearing aid group was equivalent to that of the cochlear implant group but this did not appear to influence parental quality of life.

Conclusion

Parents of children with hearing aids and cochlear implants appear to be similar on several psychosocial factors in the realms of functional, social, and psychological well-being. In terms of parental quality of life, hearing aids and cochlear implants appear to be equally effective intervention techniques.

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Effect of Hearing impairment of children on their parents.

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Differences in the quality of life across different amplification strategy used.

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Correlation among quality of life, age of child, age of intervention, duration of hearing loss.

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Emotional consequences in Parents having hearing impaired children.

Parental restriction of children's access to cochlear implants: case studies

This article reports on four retrospective case studies in which parental behavioral management of the implanted child included withholding the cochlear implant or activities associated with it as a disciplinary measure or as a means of preventing device loss or damage. The need for parental counseling by health care and educational professionals as to the importance of a child's connection to the hearing world all day long through the implant for optimal speech, language, academic, and psychosocial development is emphasized.