Children with moderate hearing loss: importance of suprathreshold speech audiometry with hearing aids at different...

Moderate hearing loss (41-55dB HL) in children is an increasing subject of research. This study aimed to evaluate the auditory performance of these children with correctly fitted hearing aids (HA) by comparing their aided pure tone thresholds and aided speech perception in suprathreshold speech audiometry.

This retrospective study included 24 children with moderate bilateral hearing loss. Aided and unaided pure tone thresholds were determined. Aided and unaided suprathreshold speech audiometry was assessed using Lafon's phonetic test at 65, 55, and 45dB HL.

At diagnosis, median pure tone threshold with headphones was 48 and 50dB HL for the right and left ears, respectively. Median aided threshold was 29dB HL for both ears. Using Lafon's phonetic test at 65, 55, and 45dB HL, the unaided children respectively had 45%, 11%, and 1% of phonemic recognition, increasing to 95%, 84%, and 69% with HA. With HA, 18 children correctly repeated 100% of phonemes at 65dB HL compared with 10 children at 55dB HL and 2 at 45dB HL. Correlation tests showed that children fitted with HA at a younger age performed better at Lafon's test.

HA undeniably improve the auditory perceptions of children with permanent moderate bilateral hearing loss and should always be prescribed as soon as possible. Their performances in Lafon's test still fall short of the results of children with "normal" hearing, especially in overhearing situations. Children with late fitting have a higher risk of partial auditory rehabilitation. Systematic supra threshold speech audiometry is required.