Exploring age-dependent speech recognition in noise for children with hearing loss: insights from hearing Aid or...

In this study we investigated whether speech recognition in noise improves with age in children with hearing loss using hearing aids (HA) or cochlear implants (CI). Secondly, we identified the audiological factors that predict these abilities.

We performed a retrospective analysis of the Dutch Digit-In-Noise (DIN) test results from our clinical population of children rehabilitated with HAs (N = 163) or CIs (N = 83). Participants were aged between 6 and 18 years, had stable hearing loss and an open-set phoneme recognition in quiet > 50% at 65 dB SPL.

We included 242 measurements from HA users and 190 from CI users. All had at least 1 year of device experience and were using their daily program.

Two linear mixed models were created for HA and CI users. A significant effect of age on speech in noise performance was observed for both groups. For HA users, pure tone average was another significant predictor, for CI users = the modality. Children with bilateral CIs had a significantly better DIN SRT compared to those with unilateral or bimodal rehabilitation.

Age and audiological factors, such as pure tone average and modality, significantly predict speech-in-noise performance in children using HAs or CIs.