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Management and outcome: children fitted with hearing aids in Ireland
1National Rehabilitation Board, Wexford, Eire.
Insights
Despite a fall in overall hearing loss, similar numbers of Irish children received hearing aids in 1984 and 1991. This study analyzed audiology service provision for pediatric hearing loss in the Republic of Ireland.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health Services
Background:
- The Republic of Ireland's population is largely rural with a declining birthrate between 1984-1991.
- A unified national audiology service provides hearing aid fittings for children.
- Previous data on pediatric hearing aid provision in Ireland is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in pediatric hearing aid provision in the Republic of Ireland.
- To examine the characteristics of children fitted with hearing aids for the first time in 1984 and 1991.
- To assess changes in hearing loss, schooling, and aid status for children fitted in 1984, with follow-up in 1991-1992.
Main Methods:
- Database analysis of children fitted with hearing aids for the first time in 1984 and 1991.
- Collection of follow-up data (1991-1992) on hearing loss, schooling, and hearing aid status for the 1984 cohort.
- Examination of data specifically for severe/profound hearing losses and service provision trends.
Main Results:
- Similar numbers of children received hearing aids in 1984 and 1991.
- The overall degree of hearing loss among children fitted with hearing aids decreased between the sampled years.
- Follow-up data revealed changes in hearing loss severity and hearing aid use among the 1984 cohort.
Conclusions:
- Despite a declining trend in the severity of hearing loss, audiology services fitted comparable numbers of children with hearing aids in 1984 and 1991.
- The findings highlight the ongoing need for audiology services for children in Ireland.
- Further research into the specific causes and management of pediatric hearing loss is warranted.
Abstract:
The Republic of Ireland has a total population of 3.5 million people, mainly rural or in small towns, a rapidly declining birthrate during 1984 to 1991, and a geographically stable children's population. A unified Audiology Service is provided by the National Rehabilitation Board for the fitting of hearing aids to all children deemed to require them. The current study outlines a database analysis of all children fitted with hearing aids for the first time in 1984 or 1991. Follow-up information on the status (in 1991-1992) of those fitted in 1984 was obtained, with regard to hearing loss, schooling and changes in aiding. Data on severe/profound losses in particular, and the trends in service provision are examined. Similar numbers of children were fitted with hearing aids in the two years sampled, even though the overall degree of hearing loss amongst this population had fallen.