History re-written for children with hearing impairment
Signe Wischmann1, Jane Lignel Josvassen2, Christina Schiøth3
1Copenhagen Hearing and Balance Center, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and Audiology Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Inge Lehmanns Vej 8, DK-2100, Kobehnhavn O, Denmark.
Abstract:
A new generation of children with hearing impairment (HI) has emerged due to introduction of universal neonatal hearing screening, medical-surgical/technical and educational advances in the field of paediatric audiology.
Aim:
The primary aim of the study was to investigate long-term development of language fundamentals of children with HI at school level and analyse associations to several background variables.
Method And Material:
The project design is prospective, longitudinal and comparative and was conducted over a three-year period with annual testing of core language, expressive language, working memory and pragmatics. Language scores were compared to type of hearing technology, gender, additional disability, diagnosis of HI, level of social well-being and start age of use of hearing technology. A total of 56 children participated (Children with HI N = 47; Children with normal hearing (NH) N = 9). Intervention included early start and full time use of hearing technology and 3 years of Auditory Verbal (AV) guidance at school level.
Results:
Children with HI scored within the norm on all language fundamentals and showed high scores on parental assessments of level of social well-being. No significant association was found between any of the language fundamentals and social well-being. Children with HI and a diagnosed additional disability showed positive progression in terms of language development over the three years.
Conclusion:
The new generation of children with HI showed potentials of developing language fundamentals within normal range and thrived in terms of social well-being. Opportunities exist for children to be fully included in their respective local hearing community, if qualitative technical and educational intervention is provided.
Related Concept Videos
Hearing
Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
The Cochlea
The Auditory Ossicles
The aptly named stapes look very much like a stirrup. The three ossicles are unique to mammals, and each plays a role in...
Auditory Pathway
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking...


