Assessment Of Hearing Loss In Children

Question 1

What is the main consequence of undetected hearing loss in children?

Answer 1

Compromise of language development

Question 2

Hereditary hearing loss occurs in ____ %

Answer 2

50-60

Question 3

Environmental hearing loss occurs in ____%

Answer 3

25-35

Question 4

The goal is to have children diagnosed with hearing loss by ___ months of age.

Answer 4

3

Question 5

What two tests are involved in the Audiological test battery from birth-6 months of age?

Answer 5

1. ABR / ASSR
2. OAEs

Question 6

Why is ASSR recommended over ABR? What are the advantages of ASSR compared to ABR for children?

Answer 6

1. ASSR is more frequency specific - can measure up to 120 dB HL where ABR can measure up to 80 dB HL = can detect more significant hearing loss.
2. ASSR is automated, ABR is not.
3. ASSR is a quicker tool compared to ABR so it is better for younger children

Question 7

When would be the best time to time to resort to ABR? What’s the goal?

Answer 7

If there is hearing loss, ABR is used mainly as a neurodiagnostic tool

Question 8

When performing tympanometry, why do we use a 1kHz probe tone for children under 4 months old?

Answer 8

Because if we use the standard (226Hz) probe tone, it can be compromised.

Question 9

What 4 audiological tests do we use for children 6 months and older?

Answer 9

1. Immittance measures
2. OAEs
3. Behavioural audiometry
4. Speech tests

Question 10

What is behavioural observation audiometry (BOA)?

Answer 10

This is used for children under 5 months old.
We observe the infants reflexes (ex. Ocular, Mororeflex, etc) when presenting sounds.

Question 11

What is visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA)?

Answer 11

This approach is typically used up until age 2, but depends (ex. Someone with Autism may not be able to do this one).
- Used with speakers or headphones, present sounds towards the left or the right and observe if the child turns their head toward the sound.
- If they get one right, reinforce them with encouragement.

Question 12

What frequencies do we measure for young children?

Answer 12

500, 1000, 2000, 4000

Question 13

What is conditioned play audiometry (CPA)?

Answer 13

Used for children 2 and older (depending on other factors).
- When the child hears a sound, they play with a toy (ex. Putting the token in the piggy bank or running the race car down the track).

Question 14

Name some speech tests used to test children? (Name 3 examples)

Answer 14

1. SDT/SRT
2. PBK
3. NU-6
4. NU-CHIPS
5. WIPI
6. LNT

Question 15

What’s the most common type of hearing aid for young children and why?

Answer 15

BTE with soft earmolds because we want something that will be durable and flexible as the ear changes shape quickly due to how young the patient is.

Question 16

What is the hearing aid formula used to children?

Answer 16

DSL 5 (desired sensation level)

Question 17

Why do we use amplitude compression in pediatric fittings?

Answer 17

Because it improve audibility for low level sounds!

Question 18

What type of hearing aid would be prescribed for a child with conductive hearing loss?

Answer 18

BAHA (bone anchored hearing aid)