Sensory Deprivation

Question 1

Who is Genie?

Answer 1

Genie is a girl who was isolated in a small room from 20 months to 13 years and 7 months of age.

During this time, Genie received no auditory input and was physically punished for any sounds that she made.

Question 2

Describe Genie after she was found

Answer 2

Susan Curtiss and her colleagues at UCLA reported that Genie had no spoken or receptive language

Question 3

What happened to Genie’s language over time

Answer 3

Was able to acquire some language showing that language isn’t innate and that we need auditory input to develop language

Question 4

What effects does sensory deprivation have on the development of the central auditory nervous system?

Answer 4

• reduction in volume of cochlear nuclei
• Less density in the anteroventral cochlear nuclei
• increase in wave IV latency
• decreased amplitude
• Re-wiring of auditory cortex with visual activation in auditory cortex

Question 5

What did Kral et al. (2002) find in their study?

Answer 5

In congenitally deaf cats:

• Shorter MLR
• Different activation maps
• Sensitive period for plasticity and development of the auditory system

Question 6

What did Hardie & Shepherd (1999) find in their study?

Answer 6

Cats with auditory deprivation:

• Reduction in volume of the cochlear nuclei
• Less density in the AVCN
• Increase in wave IV latency
• Decreased amplitude of ABR

Question 7

What did Finney et al (2001) find in their study?

Answer 7

With auditory deprivation, there is a cross-modal regeneration with a rewiring of the brain. The auditory cortex will rewire itself and visual activation in the auditory cortex will occur.

Question 8

Describe the Sharma et al (2002) study.

Answer 8

Examined how cochlear implantation affects the development of the central auditory system in congenitally deafened children.

They used the P1 CAEP as a measure of auditory maturation. With increasing age, P1 latency decreases.

Found that children with 7 or more years of deprivation and who received implants had abnormal cortical latencies compared to those with only 3.5 years of deprivation who showed normal cortical responses.

This study shows that there is a sensitive period of 3..5 years when it comes to the plasticity of the auditory system. Shows that with early amplification and implantation, P1 latencies can be restored to normal.

Question 9

Describe an audiologic rehabilitation plan that will best meet the needs of a 5 year old child with a severe SNHL that had auditory deprivation.

Answer 9

• Counseling on ABR results, educational implications with hearing loss, verbal vs. non-verbal communication, effects of auditory deprivation
• Hearing aid trial prior to bilateral CI (grey area for auditory cortex plasticity for 3.5-7 years of auditory deprivation according to Sharma et al., 2002 study) if they choose verbal communication
• Speech and language therapy
• AVT therapy which is designed for children with hearing loss
• Questionnaires such as It-MAIS and auditory skills checklist to monitor progress
• Assistive technology for use in the classroom (if the child is in school because they are just learning English)