Auditory performance of 40 5-year-old children was measured using a speech signal that simulated the amplified signal a child with hearing loss would hear. Subjects were restricted in their access to speech due to the hearing aid, the decreased sensation level (simulated hearing loss) at which they listened, and distance. (Contains references.)…

A survey of 81 adolescents with hearing impairments, 31 teachers, and 30 peers found adolescents who wore hearing aids reported communication difficulties more than half of the time when listening unaided in challenging listening environments. Teachers and peers perceived the adolescents experienced less communication difficulty than reported by…

Four case studies identify six factors affecting successful use of a hearing aid with a cochlear implant: duration of hearing aid use prior to implantation, amount of residual hearing in the non-implanted ear, educational and listening demands, cosmetic issues, hearing aid rejection, and extended period of non-use of hearing aid. (Contains…

This article examines the latest technological advances in hearing aids and explores the available research to help families and professionals make informed decisions when fitting amplification devices on infants and young children. Diagnostic procedures, evaluation techniques, hearing aid selection, circuit and advanced technology options, and…

A study examined the effects of age at implantation on the development of communication abilities in 106 early-implanted children. Results revealed significant improvement in communication skills over time. Children implanted prior to age 2 had significantly faster rates of receptive vocabulary and language development than later-implanted…

A study involving 20 children (ages 4-9) using cochlear implants compared the articulation of those who used oral communication only (n=10) and those who used total communication (TC). Results from the Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation indicate those using only oral communication committed significantly fewer errors than TC users. (Contains…

Production of 19 word-initial two-segment consonant clusters was examined in 12 children (ages 6-16) with cochlear implants, including 6 using oral communication and 6 using total communication. Results showed that 48% of the clusters were correctly produced (75% correct for oral communication users and 21% correct for total communication users).…

A study examined the speech intelligibility of children (ages 1-15) with deafness who use hearing aids. Data revealed a strong significant trend toward higher intelligibility for children with more residual hearing, and a significant trend toward higher intelligibility for users of oral communication than those using total communication. (Contains…

A study examined the global language growth rate of 40 children with hearing loss (hearing aid and cochlear implant users) who received intensive auditory-verbal intervention for 1-4 years. Results found these children essentially attained linguistic competency at levels commensurate with peers who had normal hearing. (Contains references.)…

This article presents information about the auditory and speech development of infants with normal hearing and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Methods of assessing hearing, evidence of auditory learning prior to birth, behavior assessment procedures, hearing aid use, and early identification and speech development are discussed. (Contains…

This article examines acoustical, technological, and rehabilitative solutions for improving classroom acoustics and speech perception in classroom settings. These procedures include: physical acoustical modifications of the room, personal hearing aids, hearing-assistive technologies, modifications in speaker-listener distance, optimizing visual…

This article reviews current research that has located disease genes causing hearing impairments, discovered the ability of sensory cells of the inner ear to regenerate, developed vaccines to prevent otitis media, developed programmable hearing aids, improved cochlear implants, and demonstrated the positive effects of physical therapy with balance…

This article discusses hearing loss in adults. It begins with an explanation of the anatomy of the ear and then explains the three types of hearing loss: conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed conductive-sensorineural hearing loss. Tinnitus, hearing aids, and cochlear implants are also addressed. (CR)

This article discusses otosclerosis, a metabolic bone disease affecting the bones of the ear, but no other bones in the human body. It explains that otosclerosis results in progressive hearing loss that begins in the late twenties or early thirties and can be treated successfully with hearing aids or surgery. (Author/CR)

A study compared reading-achievement level of 40 children with deafness who received the Nucleus multichannel cochlear implants between ages 2 and 13 with that of children with deafness without cochlear implants. Nearly one half of children with cochlear implants were reading at or within 8 months of grade level. (Author/CR)