Performance of deaf children using ear-level and body-worn hearing aids

Profoundly deaf children (N: 37, aged 61/2-8 yrs) received intensive audiological work-ups in 1974. In addition, they received a speech discrimination test (WIPI) and a Question Comprehension Task. Of these Ss, 15 were using ear-level and 22 were using body-worn aids. Mean unaided audiograms of children wearing the two kinds of aid did not differ. Ear-level aids improved tested hearing significantly more than did body aids. In addition, children wearing ear-level aids scored significantly higher on the WIPI (visual and combined auditory-visual conditions) and on the Question Task, compared to children wearing body aids.