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Yuan D, Tournis E, Ryan ME, Lai CM, Geng X, Young NM, Wong PCM. Early-stage use of hearing aids preserves auditory cortical structure in children with sensorineural hearing loss. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae145. [PMID: 38610087 PMCID: PMC11021813 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Hearing is critical to spoken language, cognitive, and social development. Little is known about how early auditory experiences impact the brain structure of children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. This study examined the influence of hearing aid use and residual hearing on the auditory cortex of children with severe to profound congenital sensorineural hearing loss. We evaluated cortical preservation in 103 young pediatric cochlear implant candidates (55 females and 48 males) by comparing their multivoxel pattern similarity of auditory cortical structure with that of 78 age-matched children with typical hearing. The results demonstrated that early-stage hearing aid use preserved the auditory cortex of children with bilateral congenital sensorineural hearing loss. Children with less residual hearing experienced a more pronounced advantage from hearing aid use. However, this beneficial effect gradually diminished after 17 months of hearing aid use. These findings support timely fitting of hearing aids in conjunction with early implantation to take advantage of neural preservation to maximize auditory and spoken language development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Yuan
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4F, Hui Yeung Shing Building, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 3F, Sino Building Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Elizabeth Tournis
- Department of Audiology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Maura E Ryan
- Department of Medical Imaging, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
- Department of Medical Imaging, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair St,Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Ching Man Lai
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4F, Hui Yeung Shing Building, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiujuan Geng
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4F, Hui Yeung Shing Building, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nancy M Young
- Division of Otolaryngology, Ann and Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N St. Clair St, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
- Knowles Hearing Center, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, 2240 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208-3540, United States
| | - Patrick C M Wong
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4F, Hui Yeung Shing Building, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, G/F, Leung Kau Kui Building, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
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Wiseman KB, Walker EA, Spratford M, Brennan M, McCreery RW. Comparing criteria for deviation from hearing aid prescriptive targets in children. Int J Audiol 2023:1-12. [PMID: 38147879 PMCID: PMC11199377 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2293645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine if a stricter criterion for paediatric hearing aid fitting for proximity of fit-to-target of <3 dB root-mean-square (RMS) error produces better audibility and outcomes compared to the current <5 dB criterion, and to examine the relationship between aided audibility and RMS error by degree of hearing loss. DESIGN We evaluated the influence of unaided hearing level on the relationship between RMS error and aided audibility. We assessed the effect of RMS error category (<3, 3-5, >5 dB) on aided audibility, speech recognition, expressive vocabulary, and morphosyntax. STUDY SAMPLE The study included 2314 hearing aid verification measurements from 307 children with hearing aids. RESULTS Children who met a <3 dB criterion had higher aided audibility than children who met no criterion (>5 dB error). Results showed no differences in speech recognition or vocabulary by error category, but children with <3 dB error demonstrated better morphosyntax than children with 3-5 and >5 dB RMS error. CONCLUSIONS Fittings that are close to prescriptive targets provide a more positive outcome for children with hearing aids. Using probe microphone measures to adjust hearing aids to within 3 dB may benefit language abilities in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn B Wiseman
- Child Auditory Technology Laboratory, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Walker
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Meredith Spratford
- Audibility, Perception, and Cognition Laboratory, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Marc Brennan
- Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Ryan W McCreery
- Audibility, Perception, and Cognition Laboratory, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, USA
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Wiseman KB, McCreery RW, Walker EA. Hearing Thresholds, Speech Recognition, and Audibility as Indicators for Modifying Intervention in Children With Hearing Aids. Ear Hear 2023; 44:787-802. [PMID: 36627755 PMCID: PMC10271969 DOI: 10.1097/aud.0000000000001328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine if traditional audiologic measures (e.g., pure-tone average, speech recognition) and audibility-based measures predict risk for spoken language delay in children who are hard of hearing (CHH) who use hearing aids (HAs). Audibility-based measures included the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII), HA use, and auditory dosage, a measure of auditory access that weighs each child's unaided and aided audibility by the average hours of HA use per day. The authors also sought to estimate values of these measures at which CHH would be at greater risk for delayed outcomes compared with a group of children with typical hearing (CTH) matched for age and socioeconomic status, potentially signaling a need to make changes to a child's hearing technology or intervention plan. DESIGN The authors compared spoken language outcomes of 182 CHH and 78 CTH and evaluated relationships between language and audiologic measures (e.g., aided SII) in CHH using generalized additive models. They used these models to identify values associated with falling below CTH (by > 1.5 SDs from the mean) on language assessments, putting CHH at risk for language delay. RESULTS Risk for language delay was associated with aided speech recognition in noise performance (<59% phonemes correct, 95% confidence interval [55%, 62%]), aided Speech Intelligibility Index (SII < 0.61, 95% confidence internal [.53,.68]), and auditory dosage (dosage < 6.0, 95% confidence internal [5.3, 6.7]) in CHH. The level of speech recognition in quiet, unaided pure-tone average, and unaided SII that placed children at risk for language delay could not be determined due to imprecise estimates with broad confidence intervals. CONCLUSIONS Results support using aided SII, aided speech recognition in noise measures, and auditory dosage as tools to facilitate clinical decision-making, such as deciding whether changes to a child's hearing technology are warranted. Values identified in this article can complement other metrics (e.g., unaided hearing thresholds, aided speech recognition testing, language assessment) when considering changes to intervention, such as adding language supports, making HA adjustments, or referring for cochlear implant candidacy evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elizabeth A. Walker
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
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Sapp C, McCreery R, Holte L, Oleson J, Walker E. Descriptions of Hearing Loss Severity Differentially Influence Parental Concern about the Impact of Childhood Hearing Loss. Ear Hear 2023; 44:287-299. [PMID: 36314965 PMCID: PMC10810141 DOI: 10.1097/aud.0000000000001280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to measure how parent concern about childhood hearing loss varies under different description conditions: classification-based, audibility-based, and simulation-based descriptions. METHOD We randomly allocated study participants (n = 143) to complete an online survey about expected child difficulties with listening situations with hearing loss. Our participants were parents of children with typical hearing in the 0- to 12-month age range. Participants were exposed to one type of description (classification-based, audibility-based, or simulation-based) and one level of hearing loss (slight, mild, and moderate or their audibility and simulation equivalents), producing nine total groups. Participants rated the level of expected difficulty their child would experience performing age-appropriate listening tasks with the given hearing loss. They also selected what they perceived as the most appropriate intervention from a list of increasingly intense options. RESULTS Our findings revealed that audibility-based descriptions elicited significantly higher levels of parent concerns about hearing loss than classification-based strategies, but that simulation-based descriptions elicited the highest levels of concern. Those assigned to simulation-based and audibility-based groups also judged relatively more intense intervention options as appropriate compared to those assigned to classification-based groups. CONCLUSIONS This study expands our knowledge base about descriptive factors that impact levels of parent concern about hearing loss after diagnosis. This has potentially cascading effects on later intervention actions such as fitting hearing technology. It also provides a foundation for developing and testing clinical applications of audibility-based counseling strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Sapp
- Department of Pediatric Audiology, University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | - Lenore Holte
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Jacob Oleson
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Elizabeth Walker
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
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Wiseman K, Sapp C, Walker E, McCreery R. Comprehensive Audiological Management of Hearing Loss in Children, Including Mild and Unilateral Hearing Loss. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2021; 54:1171-1179. [PMID: 34774229 PMCID: PMC8594741 DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Management of hearing loss in infants and young children has evolved rapidly with the formation of universal newborn hearing screening and early intervention programs. This review describes the management process for children with hearing loss, including determining candidacy for amplification, selection of amplification devices, electroacoustic verification, and outcomes validation. The importance of a coordinated, evidence-based approach can help to ensure the best communication outcomes for children with hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Wiseman
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, 555 N 30th Street, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
| | - Caitlin Sapp
- University of North Carolina Medical Center, 435 Meadowmont Village Circle, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
| | - Elizabeth Walker
- University of North Carolina Medical Center, 435 Meadowmont Village Circle, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
| | - Ryan McCreery
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, 555 N 30th Street, Omaha, NE 68131, USA.
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Spoken Language Skills in Children With Bilateral Hearing Aids or Bilateral Cochlear Implants at the Age of Three Years. Ear Hear 2021; 43:220-233. [PMID: 34260435 PMCID: PMC8694252 DOI: 10.1097/aud.0000000000001092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Early hearing aid (HA) fitting and cochlear implants (CIs) aim to reduce the effects of hearing loss (HL) on spoken language development. The goals of this study were (1) to examine spoken language skills of children with bilateral HAs and children with bilateral CIs; (2) to compare their language skills to the age-norms of peers with normal hearing (NH); and (3) to investigate factors associated with spoken language outcomes.
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Fan X, Sui R, Qi X, Yang X, Wang N, Hou L, Wang Z, Xu A. Analysis of the developmental trajectory and influencing factors of auditory and speech functions after cochlear implantation in Mandarin Chinese speaking children. Acta Otolaryngol 2020; 140:501-508. [PMID: 32186221 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2020.1736622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Background: The auditory and speech development of the children with cochlear implants (CIs) are influenced by many factors.Objective: To study the developmental trajectory and influencing factors of auditory and speech functions for the Mandarin Chinese speaking children with CIs.Material and methods: The children with CIs undergoing rehabilitation in the same institution from June 2016 to June 2019 were followed up. Their closed monosyllables and disyllables recognition rate, closed average language age, categories of auditory performance (CAP) and speech intelligibility rating (SIR) were evaluated at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of rehabilitation. The results were analyzed by SPSS 23.0.Results: 49 children were followed up for 1 year, 29 children for 2 years. The evaluated indicators of auditory and speech functions were improved with the prolongation of rehabilitation and influenced by the age of cochlear implantation, the use of hearing aids before surgery, guardian's educational degree, the relationship between guardian and child.Conclusions and significance: The auditory and speech functions of the children with CIs were improved significantly with the prolongation of rehabilitation and influenced by many factors, which can help us to predict the effect of CI more accurately and develop an individualized rehabilitation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintai Fan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Rongcui Sui
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiangguo Qi
- Ruifeng Auditory-Speech Rehabilitation Institution in Jinan, Jinan, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lingxiao Hou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Anting Xu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
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