Background. permanent childhood hearing loss has a negative impact on children’s development. Early detection via universal newborn hearing screening makes early intervention possible. Evidence on how and why early intervention influences outcomes of children with hearing loss at school age is lacking. This paper draws on findings from the longitudinal outcomes of children with hearing impairment (LOCHI) study, a prospective population-based study in australia.

objective. To examine the influence of early hearing intervention on the outcomes of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

method. Three-hundred and sixty-seven children completed assessments at earlier time points and at 9 years of age. In the cohort, 231 were using hearing aids and 158 were using cochlear implants. Standardized measures of language, cognitive abilities, and speech perception were directly administered. Quality of life was assessed using standardized questionnaires. The relationships among demographic characteristics, age at fitting of hearing aids or cochlear implants, and children’s outcomes were examined using multiple regression analysis and structural equation modelling. 

result. The modelling is consistent with verbal short-term memory having a mediating effect on multiple outcomes. Better verbal short-term memory is associated with no additional disabilities, earlier age at cochlear implant activation, use of an oral communication mode in early intervention, and higher maternal education. In turn, verbal short-term memory directly and positively affects speech perception, language and quality of life.

conclusion. This study found evidence consistent with early hearing intervention having a positive effect on speech perception and language via its effect on verbal short-term memory. Children who had better language also had better quality of life. The importance of early hearing for cognitive development lends support to early detection and early hearing intervention, including streamlining pathways for early CI activation. The implications for evidence-based clinical practice will be discussed.

Panel presentation of hearing preservation during CI

Permanent childhood hearing loss (PCHL) impacts negatively on children’s development and lives. Improved outcomes are associated with newborn hearing screening and early intervention. However, not all hearing loss manifests itself during the newborn period. The prevalence of childhood hearing loss increases from 1-1.2/1000 during the newborn period to about 2-4/1000 by 9 years of age. Global surveys revealed that only 33% of the world’s newborns have access to universal newborn hearing screening. Little is known about the status of screening and surveillance of hearing beyond the newborn period. The coalition for global hearing health hearing care pathways working group (CGHH) conducted a survey to increase understanding of the status of hearing screening during early childhood, with a view to developing recommendations for establishing evidence-based programs in different resource settings to mitigate the negative impact of PCHL. 

objective. This study aimed to explore current practice in hearing screening and intervention during early childhood in countries around the world.

method. a custom-designed survey was conducted online using redcap to gather information on the status of hearing screening, surveillance and intervention in early childhood before school entry, and on hearing screening for children at school age. Professionals, medical practitioners, allied health workers and educators were invited to participate to provide information about the region/country in which they provide services.

result and discussion. A total of 315 responses were received from respondents across 85 countries on current practice. We examined the diversity of service availability across regions/countries by population size and income level. Findings on current practice were summarized and reported according to WHO regions. The implications for developing new programs for detecting hearing loss during early childhood, and for fine-tuning existing programs will be discussed.