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Auditory performance of young children with hearing aids: the Nijmegen experience
A F Snik1, K Neijenhuis, C C Hoekstra
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands. A.Snik@kno.azn.nl
Insights
Nationwide hearing screening for toddlers is common, but fitting hearing aids and documenting their benefit remains challenging. The Desired Sensation Level (DSL) method offers a starting point for pediatric hearing aid fitting.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatric audiology
- Hearing aid technology
Background:
- Significant advancements in toddler hearing screening exist.
- Nationwide hearing screening programs are increasingly implemented globally.
- Less focus has been placed on the subsequent treatment of hearing-impaired toddlers with hearing devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of hearing aid fitting and benefit documentation for young children.
- To evaluate the suitability of the Desired Sensation Level (DSL) method for pediatric hearing aid fitting.
- To identify challenges and limitations in assessing hearing aid efficacy in toddlers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published data on pediatric hearing aid fitting and assessment.
- Analysis of the Desired Sensation Level (DSL) hearing aid prescription method.
- Examination of methods for documenting hearing aid benefit in toddlers, including auditory function development.
Main Results:
- The Desired Sensation Level (DSL) hearing aid prescription method appears adequate for initial hearing aid fitting in young children.
- Documenting the benefits of hearing aids in toddlers is currently difficult.
- Speech material is suitable for assessing auditory function in children aged 3 years and older.
- Environmental sound tests can be used for children aged 1 year and older.
Conclusions:
- While hearing screening for toddlers is advancing, there is a need for improved methods for hearing aid fitting and benefit documentation.
- Existing tests for assessing auditory function in toddlers are limited.
- Further research is required to optimize hearing aid fittings and document their benefits in this age group.
Abstract:
During recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of methods for screening hearing sensitivity in toddlers. Nowadays, in several countries, nationwide screening programmes are carried out. Much less attention has been paid to the next step, namely treatment of very young hearing-impaired children with hearing devices. A review of published data indicate that the DSL (Desired Sensation Level) hearing aid prescription method, developed especially for young children, is at least a good point to begin hearing aid fitting. DSL target values for gain and output seems to be adequate for young children. Documenting the benefit for hearing aid use in young children is still cumbersome. One option is to measure the development of basal auditory functions. A review of available data showed that for this purpose, speech material can only be used in children of 3 years and older. For children of 1 year and older, tests with environmental sounds can be applied. It is concluded that, although growing, there is a lack of tests and limited knowledge on how to optimize hearing aid fittings and how to document hearing aid benefit in toddlers.