PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of consistent hearing aid (HA) use on outcomes in children with mild hearing loss (HL). METHOD: Five- or 7-year-old children with mild HL were separated into 3 groups on the basis of patterns of daily HA use. Using analyses of variance, we compared outcomes between groups on speech and language tests and a speech perception in noise task. Regression models were used to investigate the influence of cumulative auditory experience (audibility, early intervention, HA use) on outcomes. RESULTS: Full-time HA users demonstrated significantly higher scores on vocabulary and grammar measures compared with nonusers. There were no significant differences between the 3 groups on articulation or speech perception measures. After controlling for the variance in age at confirmation of HL, level of audibility, and enrollment in early intervention, only amount of daily HA use was a significant predictor of grammar and vocabulary. CONCLUSIONS: The current results provide evidence that children's language development benefits from consistent HA use. Nonusers are at risk in areas such as vocabulary and grammar compared with other children with mild HL who wear HAs regularly. Service providers should work collaboratively to encourage consistent HA use.
PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of consistent hearing aid (HA) use on outcomes in children with mild hearing loss (HL). METHOD: Five- or 7-year-old children with mild HL were separated into 3 groups on the basis of patterns of daily HA use. Using analyses of variance, we compared outcomes between groups on speech and language tests and a speech perception in noise task. Regression models were used to investigate the influence of cumulative auditory experience (audibility, early intervention, HA use) on outcomes. RESULTS: Full-time HA users demonstrated significantly higher scores on vocabulary and grammar measures compared with nonusers. There were no significant differences between the 3 groups on articulation or speech perception measures. After controlling for the variance in age at confirmation of HL, level of audibility, and enrollment in early intervention, only amount of daily HA use was a significant predictor of grammar and vocabulary. CONCLUSIONS: The current results provide evidence that children's language development benefits from consistent HA use. Nonusers are at risk in areas such as vocabulary and grammar compared with other children with mild HL who wear HAs regularly. Service providers should work collaboratively to encourage consistent HA use.
Authors: Paul D Judge; Erik Jorgensen; Monica Lopez-Vazquez; Patricia Roush; Thomas A Page; Mary Pat Moeller; J Bruce Tomblin; Lenore Holte; Craig Buchman Journal: Ear Hear Date: 2019 Jul/Aug Impact factor: 3.570
Authors: Elizabeth A Walker; David Kessler; Kelsey Klein; Meredith Spratford; Jacob J Oleson; Anne Welhaven; Ryan W McCreery Journal: J Speech Lang Hear Res Date: 2019-06-13 Impact factor: 2.297
Authors: J Bruce Tomblin; Jake Oleson; Sophie E Ambrose; Elizabeth A Walker; Ryan W McCreery; Mary Pat Moeller Journal: Ear Hear Date: 2020 Jul/Aug Impact factor: 3.570
Authors: Elizabeth A Walker; Caitlin Sapp; Margaret Dallapiazza; Meredith Spratford; Ryan W McCreery; Jacob J Oleson Journal: Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch Date: 2020-01-08 Impact factor: 2.983
Authors: Ryan W McCreery; Elizabeth A Walker; Derek J Stiles; Meredith Spratford; Jacob J Oleson; Dawna E Lewis Journal: Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch Date: 2020-01-08 Impact factor: 2.983