[Epidemiological study of hearing impairments in children: prevalence, structure, amplification, and social factors]

[Epidemiological characteristics of the pediatric population of cochlear implant users in St. Petersburg]

An epidemiological analysis of the pediatric population of cochlear implant (CI) users in St. Petersburg, the second largest metropolis of Russian Federation, was carried out. CI users are 14% of the total number of hearing impaired children, and 26% of children with hearing devices. Only 43% of children who are candidates for cochlear implantation in according to audiological criteria use CI. Since 2012, unilateral cochlear implantation has been carried out for all children in need - their annual number ranges from 25 to 45. Bilateral implantation, mostly sequential with an interval of 1-3 years, was performed in 21% of children The average age at the time of the surgery was 3 years, more than 50% of children were implanted between 1 and 3 years. In recent years, the number of children implanted before 2 years has increased, as well as the number of children implanted at school age. 27% of children with CI continue wearing a hearing aid on the opposite ear. 23% of implanted children have additional disabilities. It has been established that the proportion of children attending mainstream educational institutions is significantly higher among children with CI, compared with children using hearing aids. Some directions have been developed to improve care for CI children and to increase the effectiveness of cochlear implantation as a medical-technical-pedagogical technology for hearing restoration in a regional centre for hearing impaired children.

[Results of the audit of the first stage newborn hearing screening in St. Petersburg]

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of the first stage of universal newborn hearing screening in St. Petersburg and increasing its effectiveness.

RESULTS

In result of the audit, it was found that screening performs in all maternity wards, children's hospitals and at the majority of pediatric clinics. Meanwhile only 14% of institutions meet criteria of good practice in providing screening. In other clinics improving the procedure of screening is needed: equipment update and calibration, correction of the method and conditions of examination, results documenting, etc. The set of activities for increasing the effectiveness of newborn hearing screening is proposed. The work which carried out with institutions during and after audit allowed to reach 100% involving clinics in screening system in 6 months. Due to information support of institutions coverage of newborns by the first stage of screening increased on 8.5% (matched to target) and the number of referred children who come to the second stage of screening increased on 18%. Results suggest that the audit of the first stage of newborn hearing screening by the district pediatric audiological centers is an effective tool for finding problems in the screening system and its solving.

[Telerehabilitation of hearing-impaired children during COVID-19 pandemic]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate advantages and effectiveness of remote rehabilitation services for hearing-impaired children at Center of Pediatric Audiology during COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

181 children with different types and degrees of permanent hearing loss, their parents and 10 hearing care professionals (audiologists, speech-language therapists) were included in the study. 2115 rehabilitation services were provided during 3 months: video- and text consultations, video lessons with child, sending homework to parents, etc.

RESULTS

The results of questionnaires showed that, on specialists' and parents' opinion, remote rehabilitation care is effective tool for hearing impaired children during emergency situations. TeleCare allowed to improve parents' abilities to manage with children by themselves, their understanding goals and methods of rehabilitation, improving child's hearing and speech skills. 95% of parents were satisfied by remote rehabilitation. Advantages and problems of remote hearing rehabilitation were analyzed from the sides of professionals and parents. The most challenging activities for professionals during TeleCare were: evaluation of HA/CI effectiveness, diagnosis and developing of hearing and speech.

CONCLUSIONS

The experience of remote hearing rehabilitation in emergency situation allows to conclude that this type of care could be useful in clinical practice after pandemic for parents consulting and for children with motor problems.

[Hearing loss due to mutations in the genes responsible for Usher syndrome]

Usher syndrome is characterized by congenital bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and progressive retinitis pigmentosa, and has an autosomal recessive type of inheritance. The purpose of this work is to summarize the modern data of a clinical picture of Usher syndrome and analyse hearing impairment properties. The frequency of the syndrome among children suffering from hearing loss and deafness is from 3 to 10%. The prevalence of the syndrome in the world is estimated as 4.4 per 100.000 population. The complexity of the diagnosis of the syndrome lies in the significant clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Hearing and vision problems begin at different ages. Primary diagnosis begins with the clinical diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and visual impairment manifests later. In this case the initial diagnosis of nonsyndromal hearing loss will not be definitive. Molecular genetic studies contribute to the early clinical diagnosis of the syndrome. Understanding the cause of the disease allows to conduct correct medical and genetic counseling and get closer to solving treatment problems.