Children's Auditory Research and Evaluation
(CARE) Center
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Auditory Development in Early-Amplified Children Principal Investigator: Yvonne Sininger, Ph.D., UCLA School of Medicine |
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Subcontract to: House Ear Institute |
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Laboratory Personnel:
Laurie Eisenberg, Ph.D., Scientist II Amy Martinez, M.A., Clinical Research Coordinator, Research Audiologist Danielle Dzubak, Au.D., Research Audiologist |
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Objective: Although it has been demonstrated that infants with hearing loss who were identified prior to the age of 6 months develop language skills that are significantly superior to those identified after 6 months of age (Yoshinaga-Itano et al., 1998), little information is available describing the process of early auditory intervention (fitting of amplification) and resultant auditory-based outcomes in young children. The long-term objective of this project is to investigate speech perception and speech production skills in children with hearing loss who have received early, accurate audiologic assessment and appropriate fitting of amplification. Specifically, we are investigating the effects of age at time of intervention and degree of hearing loss on the development of speech perception and speech production. This project also is providing information about the process of accurate hearing loss estimation in infants as well as developmental changes in audition and ear structures and how these may relate to the amplification fitting process.
A large group of infants identified with hearing loss in a neonatal hearing screening program have hearing thresholds predicted by frequency-specific auditory brainstem response (ABR). These thresholds are used with infant-appropriate prescriptive techniques for fitting and validation of amplification. Infants are enrolled in parent-infant education and followed for up to four years.Young children not screened for hearing loss in the newborn period who are identified with hearing loss up to 2 years of age also are fit with amplification and followed as subjects. Speech perception, speech production, and language abilities are assessed with age-appropriate measures at regular intervals. Important information that may influence the relationship between amplification and auditory outcomes, such as degree of hearing loss, type and timing of educational intervention, cognitive and language status, parental involvement, socio-economic status and other medical conditions are being documented and used in data analysis. |
