Quality In, Quality Out: Supporting Good Outcomes for Children Who Wear Hearing Aids

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-42
Author(s):  
Marlene P. Bagatto
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Stage Process ◽  
Outcomes For Children ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Speech And Language Development ◽  
Fitting Hearing Aids

Fitting hearing aids to infants with hearing loss can be completed in a systematic and evidence-based manner. This is because there are clinical protocols and technologies available so that pediatric audiologists can fit hearing aids to their patients with hearing loss during the early months of life. Early hearing aid fitting supports speech and language development, however, the way in which the hearing aid is fitted can significantly impact the infant’s progress. A four-stage process for infant hearing aid fitting is offered as a framework with which to execute the essential components of the procedure. Key aspects of the pediatric hearing aid fitting process are described with a focus on elements that may impact an infant’s progress with hearing aids if not implemented.

Factors Ensuring Consistent Audibility in Pediatric Hearing Aid Fitting

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (09) ◽  
pp. 503-520
Author(s):  
Francis Kuk ◽  
Andre Marcoux
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Precise Determination ◽  
Feedback Cancellation ◽  
Directional Microphones ◽  
Multichannel Processing ◽  
Important Objective ◽  
Fitting Hearing Aids

Ensuring consistent audibility is an important objective when fitting hearing aids to children. This article reviews the factors that could affect the audibility of the speech signals to children. These factors range from a precise determination of the child's hearing loss to an accurate specification of gain in the chosen hearing aids. In addition, hearing aid technology and features such as multichannel processing, directional microphones, and feedback cancellation that could affect the achievement of consistent audibility are reviewed.

Evaluation of the Self-Fitting Process with a Commercially Available Hearing Aid

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (02) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Convery ◽  
Gitte Keidser ◽  
Mark Seeto ◽  
Margot McLelland
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Success Rate ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
The Self ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Fitting Procedure ◽  
Fitting Hearing Aids

Background: Hearing aids and personal sound amplification products that are designed to be self-fitted by the user at home are becoming increasingly available in the online marketplace. While these devices are often marketed as a low-cost alternative to traditional hearing health-care, little is known about people’s ability to successfully use and manage them. Previous research into the individual components of a simulated self-fitting procedure has been undertaken, but no study has evaluated performance of the procedure as a whole using a commercial product. Purpose: To evaluate the ability of a group of adults with a hearing loss to set up a pair of commercially available self-fitting hearing aids for their own use and to investigate factors associated with a successful outcome. Research Design: An interventional study that used regression analysis to identify potential contributors to the outcome. Study Sample: Forty adults with mild to moderately severe hearing loss participated in the study: 20 current hearing aid users (the “experienced” group) and 20 with no previous amplification experience (the “new” group). Twenty-four participants attended with partners, who were present to offer assistance with the study task as needed. Data Collection and Analysis: Participants followed a set of written, illustrated instructions to perform a multistep self-fitting procedure with a commercially available self-fitting hearing aid, with optional assistance from a lay partner. Standardized measures of cognitive function, health literacy, locus of control, hearing aid self-efficacy, and manual dexterity were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to examine the proportion of participants in each group who successfully performed the self-fitting procedure, factors that predicted successful completion of the task, and the contributions of partners to the outcome. Results: Fifty-five percent of participants were able to successfully perform the self-fitting procedure. Although the same success rate was observed for both experienced and new participants, the majority of the errors relating to the hearing test and the fine-tuning tasks were made by the experienced participants, while all of the errors associated with physically customizing the hearing aids and most of the insertion errors were made by the new participants. Although the majority of partners assisted in the self-fitting task, their contributions did not significantly influence the outcome. Further, no characteristic or combination of characteristics reliably predicted which participants would be successful at the self-fitting task. Conclusions: Although the majority of participants were able to complete the self-fitting task without error, the provision of knowledgeable support by trained personnel, rather than a fellow layperson, would most certainly increase the proportion of users who are able to achieve success. Refinements to the instructions and the physical design of the hearing aid may also serve to improve the success rate. Further evaluation of the range of self-fitting hearing aids that are now on the market should be undertaken.

Large Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome: A Case Study

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 822-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie L. Clark ◽  
Ross J. Roeser
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Behavioral Testing ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Vestibular Aqueduct ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Large Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome ◽  
Large Vestibular Aqueduct

A 23-month-old female was referred for hearing aid fitting after failing newborn hearing screening and being diagnosed with significant hearing loss through subsequent diagnostic testing. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and behavioral testing revealed a moderate-to-severe bilateral mixed hearing loss. Prior to the hearing aid evaluation, tympanostomy tubes had been placed bilaterally with little or no apparent change in hearing sensitivity. Initial testing during the hearing aid fitting confirmed earlier findings, but abnormal middle ear results were observed, requiring referral for additional otologic management. Following medical clearance, binaural digital programmable hearing aids were fit using Desired Sensation Level parameters. Behavioral testing and probe microphone measures showed significant improvements in audibility. Decrease in hearing sensitivity was observed six months following hearing aid fitting. Radiological studies, ordered due to the mixed component and decreased hearing sensitivity, revealed large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS). Based on the diagnosis of LVAS, a cochlear implant was placed on the right ear; almost immediate speech-language gains were observed.

Parent Hearing Aid Experiences in the United States

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (01) ◽  
pp. 005-016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Muñoz ◽  
Kristina Blaiser ◽  
Karianne Barwick
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
The United States ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting ◽  
Parent Experiences

Background: Children born with permanent hearing loss have the opportunity to receive services earlier as a result of newborn hearing screening (NHS). We conducted a survey to address three aspects within the early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) process: (1) timeliness of service delivery, (2) hearing device access, and (3) hearing aid management. Parent experiences provide valuable information in identifying existing challenges for these components of the EHDI system. Purpose: The aim was to investigate parent experiences as they access and manage hearing aids for their child. Research Design: A cross-sectional, population-based survey was used. Study Sample: Three hundred fifty-two completed surveys from parents of children born between 1977 and 2010 were returned from 45 states in the United States. Data Collection and Analysis: Responses were obtained online and through the mail, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Over time, the age of hearing loss identification has decreased to a median of 2 mo, age of first hearing aid fitting has decreased to a median of 5 mo, and the delay between hearing loss identification and hearing aid fitting has remained the same with a median of 2 mo. For children born between 2007 and 2010, the top three challenges parents reported in obtaining hearing aids were (1) paying for hearing aids, (2) accepting the need for hearing aids, and (3) wait time for an appointment. Almost one-half (48%) of the parents reported that they did not receive adequate support from their audiologist in how to check the function of their child's hearing aids. Conclusions: Significant progress has been made over the past two decades in reducing the age of hearing loss identification and hearing aid fitting for children who do not pass the NHS. However, many children continue to experience delays between hearing loss diagnosis and hearing aid fitting that exceed Joint Committee on Infant Hearing recommendations. The experiences parents reported provide valuable information about areas that need further investigation to improve the process for children with hearing loss.

scholarly journals Analysis of the results of hearing aids fitting using the questionnaire «Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile»

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-33
Author(s):  
L. E. Golooanooa ◽  
E. V. Zhiunskaya ◽  
M. . Yu
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting ◽  
Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aid Benefit

164 patients with moderate to severe ehronie bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were asked to fill in the Glasgow hearing aid benefit profile. Its usefulness was showed in eases of diffieult hearing aid fitting.

Prescribing and Verifying Hearing Aids Applying the American Academy of Audiology Pediatric Amplification Guideline: Protocols and Outcomes from the Ontario Infant Hearing Program

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (03) ◽  
pp. 188-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlene Bagatto ◽  
Sheila Moodie ◽  
Christine Brown ◽  
April Malandrino ◽  
Frances Richert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
American Academy ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting ◽  
Amplification Protocol ◽  
Measurement Protocol ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss ◽  
The Impact

Background: Guidelines and protocols for pediatric hearing aid fitting are necessary to meet the goals of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs. The American Academy of Audiology published an update to their Pediatric Amplification Guideline in 2013. Ontario's Infant Hearing Program (IHP) offers specific protocols that aim to fulfill recommended guidelines. It has recently been updated to align with the American Academy of Audiology Guideline and other evidence. Purpose: A summary of the updates to the Ontario IHP’s Amplification Protocol is described. In addition, data illustrating hearing-related outcomes of the program are offered. Research Design: The updated Ontario protocol is based on evidence, wherever possible. Where research is not yet available, clinical decision support has been described in a systematic way. Outcomes of the Ontario IHP were obtained through a longitudinal clinical observation study. Study Sample: One hundred and fifteen children with hearing loss, who wore hearing aids, were included in the outcome analyses (mean = 28.6 mo; range = 1.3–115.3 mo). Hearing losses ranged from mild to profound, unilateral or bilateral sensorineural (pure-tone average = 52.3 dB HL). They were recruited from four IHP clinics within Ontario. Children with complexities in addition to hearing loss were included. Intervention: The children were fitted with hearing aids following Ontario's Amplification Protocol. Data Collection and Analyses: During routine clinical appointments, IHP Audiologists administered questionnaires to the parents of their pediatric patients using a systematic outcome measurement protocol (University of Western Ontario Pediatric Audiological Monitoring Protocol). Hearing aid fitting details (e.g., speech intelligibility index) were also gathered to describe the quality of the hearing aid fittings in relation to the functional outcomes. Regression analyses were conducted to characterize scores on the questionnaires and the impact of important variables. Children with complexities were analyzed separately from those who were typically developing. Results: Important updates to Ontario's Amplification Protocol offer new details about candidacy considerations as well as technical updates. Outcomes from the IHP reveal protocol elements can be executed clinically and when they are, typically developing children who wear hearing aids are meeting auditory development and performance milestones. Conclusions: Updates to Ontario's Amplification Protocol are necessary to support the evolution of EHDI programs and the evidence which sustains them. With advances in technology and additional research, pediatric hearing aid fitting will continue to progress and support systematic measurement of outcomes for children who wear hearing aids. The application of state-of-the-art hearing aid fitting practices to the pediatric population within EHDI programs supports good outcomes for infants and children with hearing loss.

Hearing Aid Fitting Outcome: Clinical Application and Psychometric Properties of a Swedish Translation of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA)

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (08) ◽  
pp. 512-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Jonas Brännström ◽  
Ingegerd Wennerström
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Binaural Hearing ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Conductive Hearing

Background: The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) is a seven-item hearing-specific questionnaire. It was developed with the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of hearing aid rehabilitation. Few psychometric properties have been presented for a Swedish translation of the IOI-HA. Furthermore, previous studies have examined the IOI-HA in mainly sensorineural hearing losses, and we do not know how the type of hearing loss affects the outcome. Purpose: To evaluate the hearing aid fitting outcome measured in a clinical setting using a Swedish translation of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), to determine the psychometric properties of the translation, and to examine how a number of demographic variables such as type of hearing loss affect the outcome. Research Design: A descriptive and correlational study in a retrospective sample. Study Sample: Two hundred and twenty-four (107 females and 117 males; ages 27–94 yr with an average of 66.1 yr) first-time hearing aid users. Intervention: Mostly digital hearing aids (97.8%) were fitted monaurally (60%) or binaurally (40%) between 2007 and 2009. Data Collection and Analysis: The subjects were mailed the IOI-HA questionnaire six months after their final appointment, and the completed questionnaire was returned by mail to the clinic. The psychometric properties were evaluated and compared to previous studies using the IOI-HA. The associations between the outcome scores and a number of demographic variables (age, gender, degree of hearing loss, type of hearing loss, number of hearing aids, and type of hearing aids) were examined. Based on the pure tone audiograms, the subjects were divided into three groups; those with conductive hearing losses, sensorineural hearing losses, and mixed hearing losses. For these groups, the differences in outcome measured as IOI-HA were examined. Results: The psychometric properties of the present translation of the IOI-HA showed resemblance in many aspects to previous reports. Furthermore, the type of hearing loss seems to affect the IOI-HA outcome. Hearing loss increases with increasing age, and hearing aid use increases with increasing degree of hearing loss. Subjects with sensorineural hearing losses show significantly poorer scores on items concerning introspective aspects of the outcome in comparison to subjects with mixed hearing losses and subjects with conductive hearing losses. Monaurally fitted subjects tend to report lower scores on average, but monaural or binaural hearing aid fitting do not significantly affect the subjective outcome. Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the present Swedish translation of the IOI-HA show resemblance in many aspects to previous reports, but the differences observed could be due to differences in the study populations. Overall, the demographic variables examined could not be used as predictors for the hearing aid fitting outcome, and more reliable predictors need to be identified.

scholarly journals Hearing aids reduce daily-life fatigue and increase social activity: a longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack A Holman ◽  
Graham Naylor ◽  
Avril Drummond
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting

People with hearing loss experience fatigue, and it is unknown whether this is alleviated by treatment with hearing aids. The objective of this study was to address this issue, and to investigate the possible concomitant effect of hearing-aid fitting on activity levels. An intervention group (n=53) who were due to be fitted with their first ever hearing aid(s) and a control group (n=53) who had hearing loss but no change in hearing aid status completed a battery of self-report outcome measures four times: once before fitting, and at two weeks, three months and six months post fitting. Self-report outcome measures at each assessment captured fatigue, listening effort, hearing handicap, auditory lifestyle, social participation restrictions and work, social and physical activity levels. Hearing-aid fitting led to a significant reduction in listening-related fatigue, but not general fatigue, in the intervention group compared to the control group. Additionally, social activity level increased and social participation restriction decreased significantly after hearing aid fitting in the intervention group compared to the control group. No significant interaction was found between working status and change in listening-related fatigue score. This study is the first to make longitudinal measurement of fatigue before and after first-ever hearing aid fitting and to identify an increase in social activity level after hearing aid fitting. These findings have important implications for future research and the clinical practice of hearing aid fitting.

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