Optimizing CI Outcomes in Children with Congenital Hearing Loss
09-10, 07:15–07:45 (Europe/Istanbul), Hearing Implant 2

<p>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.</p> <p>Objective. To examine the influence of early hearing intervention on the outcomes of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>
<p></p>
Moderator Moderator
Levent Olgun
Speaker Speaker
Teresa Ching
Levent Olgun
<p>I was born on 22.10.1952.Graduated Ege University at 1975.Cımpleted ENT residency at 1978.Retired at 2017.I am still working at Baskent University Zubeyde Hanim Research Center Izmir</p>
This speaker also appears in:
Teresa Ching
<p>Professor Teresa Y.C. Ching is Professorial Fellow at NextSense Institute and conjointly Professor at Macquarie University. She is also an Honorary Professor at University of Queensland in Australia. Teresa’s research is dedicated to improving the lives and outcomes of children with hearing loss. Teresa is particularly interested in seeing the results of her research used by policy makers and service providers and manufacturers in hearing rehabilitation to reduce the impact of hearing loss on language, literacy, educational attainment, mental health, and quality of life. Teresa is the lead author or co-author of more than 150 peer-reviewed articles.</p>
This speaker also appears in: