Evidence-Based Practice in Audiology: Rehabilitation Options for Adults With Hearing Impairment

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Hickson ◽  
Ariane Laplante-Lévesque ◽  
Lena Wong
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Activity Limitations ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Reduce Activity ◽  
Participation Restrictions ◽  
Communication Programs ◽  
First Time

Purpose The authors address 3 questions: (a) What is evidence-based practice (EBP), and why is it important for adults with hearing impairment? (b) What is the evidence about intervention options for adults who fail a hearing screening and are identified with hearing impairment? (c) What intervention options do adults choose when identified with hearing impairment for the first time? Method The 5 steps of the EBP process are discussed in relation to a clinical question about whether hearing aids and communication programs reduce activity limitations and participation restrictions compared with no treatment for adults who fail a hearing screening and are identified with hearing impairment. Results Systematic reviews of the evidence indicate that both hearing aids and communication programs reduce activity limitations and participation restrictions for this population and are therefore appropriate options. A study is then described in which these options were presented to 153 clients identified with hearing impairment for the first time: 43% chose hearing aids, 18% chose communication programs, and the remaining 39% chose not to take any action. Conclusion EBP supports the offer of intervention options to adults who fail a hearing screening and are identified with hearing impairment.

scholarly journals Perception of One’s Own Voice After Hearing-Aid Fitting for Naive Hearing-Aid Users and Hearing-Aid Refitting for Experienced Hearing-Aid Users

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 233121652093246
Author(s):  
Johanna Hengen ◽  
Inger L. Hammarström ◽  
Stefan Stenfelt
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Voice Perception ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Vocal Intensity ◽  
First Time

Dissatisfaction with the sound of one’s own voice is common among hearing-aid users. Little is known regarding how hearing impairment and hearing aids separately affect own-voice perception. This study examined own-voice perception and associated issues before and after a hearing-aid fitting for new hearing-aid users and refitting for experienced users to investigate whether it was possible to differentiate between the effect of (unaided) hearing impairment and hearing aids. Further aims were to investigate whether First-Time and Experienced users as well as users with dome and mold inserts differed in the severity of own-voice problems. The study had a cohort design with three groups: First-Time hearing-aid users going from unaided to aided hearing ( n = 70), Experienced hearing-aid users replacing their old hearing aids ( n = 70), and an unaided control group ( n = 70). The control group was surveyed once and the hearing-aid users twice; once before hearing-aid fitting/refitting and once after. The results demonstrated that own-voice problems are common among both First-Time and Experienced hearing-aid users with either dome- or mold-type fittings, while people with near-normal hearing and not using hearing aids report few problems. Hearing aids increased ratings of own-voice problems among First-Time users, particularly those with mold inserts. The results suggest that altered auditory feedback through unaided hearing impairment or through hearing aids is likely both to change own-voice perception and complicate regulation of vocal intensity, but hearing aids are the primary reason for poor perceived sound quality of one’s own voice.

scholarly journals Newborn hearing screening with transient evoked otoacoustic emission: a prospective study in a tertiary health care centre

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashidhar S. Suligavi ◽  
Prakhar Upadhyay ◽  
Prasen Reddy ◽  
S. S. Doddamani ◽  
M. N. Patil
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Otoacoustic Emissions ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Health Care Centre

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> As hearing impairment is a hidden disability, it is usually detected after 2-3 years by which time there will be irreversible stunting of the skills and hence rehabilitation procedures like hearing aids, speech therapy are unable to ensure complete development of speech. Therefore hearing impairment should be diagnosed as early as           6 months to ensure timely therapy. The objective of the study is to identify the proportion of incidence of hearing impairment in neonates using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) as a screening tool.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Prospective study on 800 newborns in a tertiary hospital using TEOAE. Brain stem evoked response audiometry (BERA) was used to confirm hearing loss in neonates who failed TEOAE.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Thirteen out of 800 newborns failed TEOAE test on first screening. Two failed on 2<sup>nd </sup>TEOAE test done after 3-4 weeks. Hearing loss was later confirmed in them with BERA test.</p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Proportion of hearing loss in our study was 0.25%. Hearing screening should be done as early as possible so that deaf children are rehabilitated early.

scholarly journals Neonatal hearing screening- time to make a noise- experience from a private medical college in South Rajasthan

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 2068
Author(s):  
Ravi Bhatia ◽  
Rajendra Gorwara ◽  
Rajendra Gorwara
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Neonatal Hearing Screening ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Lost To Follow Up

Background: Neonatal Hearing Loss has a prevalence that is twice than that of disorders like congenital hypothyroidism, phenyl ketonuria etc. Early detection of hearing impairment is vital since early intervention in form of hearing aids and speech therapy would help lead a child a normal life. The aim of the study was to set up a neonatal hearing screening program and to study the various risk factors which could be associated with hearing loss.Methods: The prospective descriptive study was carried over a period of two years. All neonates before being discharged were subjected to OAE. OAE was done on Oto Read Machine (Intra acoustic) and BERA was done on BERA eclipse machine (Intra acoustic). Babies who failed the first OAE were called back for a repeat OAE at six weeks of age. Babies who failed the second OAE were referred to a trained audiologist for BERA which was performed on BERA Eclipse machine.Results: Out of 1114 neonates screened, 285 neonates failed the first OAE and were called back at six weeks for repeat OAE. Out of the 285 babies who were called for repeat OAE, 258 turned up 27(9.47%) were lost to follow up. Out of the 258 babies who turned up, 245 passed the test while 13 failed the test. 13 Babies who had failed the second OAE screening were called back 1 month later for BERA testing. Out of the 13 babies who turned up for BERA testing, 12 passed the test and 1 failed giving us a prevalence of 0.89 per 1000 population. Of the various risk factors studied only low birth weight was found to be having significant association with hearing loss.Conclusion: Neonatal hearing screening is the need of the hour. Larger multi centric studies are required to establish the prevalence of hearing impairment among newborns.

Feasibility of Using a Smartphone-Based Hearing Aid Application to Improve Attitudes Toward Amplification and Hearing Impairment

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-136
Author(s):  
Amyn M. Amlani ◽  
Joseph Smaldino ◽  
Donald Hayes ◽  
Brian Taylor ◽  
Erich Gessling
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Trial Period ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
First Time ◽  
Hearing Difficulties

Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether short-term experience (i.e., 4 weeks) with a smartphone-based hearing aid application (SHAA) might positively improve attitudes toward amplification uptake and hearing impairment. Method We recruited 15 experienced hearing aid wearers who had ceased wearing their devices for > 1 year (i.e., “In-the-Drawer” group) and 15 individuals with self-reported hearing difficulties who had yet to adopt hearing aids (i.e., “First-Time” group). We obtained participant attitudes pre- and post-SHAA using 3 surveys and analyzed perceptible changes in attitude for each survey. Comparative findings were then generalized to the health belief model in the context of perceived benefits (i.e., efficacy of an action to reduce risk) and reduced perceived barriers (i.e., tangible and psychological costs that inhibit compliance and adoption). Results A short trial period with an SHAA appears to modify the psychological perception toward amplification and reduce listener perception with respect to hearing difficulties in both groups. Conclusion A short trial period with an SHAA improved the perceived benefits and reduced the perceived barriers in the average First-Time listener, who often delays adoption of traditional amplification. The same trial period was also found to improve perceived benefits and reduce perceived barriers for the average In-the-Drawer listener, but to a lesser degree than their First-Time counterparts.

La prima infezione urinaria febbrile in bambini di età compresa tra 2 mesi e 3 anni

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 505-511
Author(s):  
Agnese Feresin ◽  
Martina Bevacqua ◽  
Giulia Del Piero ◽  
Paola Staffa ◽  
Egidio Barbi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Threshold ◽  
Male Infant ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Moderate Degree ◽  
Newborn Hearing Screening ◽  
Complete Evaluation ◽  
Newborn Hearing

Conductive, mild-moderate hearing impairment in children is a very frequent condition after newborn hearing screening that easily leads to misdiagnosis. Conductive hearing impairment needs an accurate differential diagnosis to avoid inadequate treatments. The paper reports a case of bilateral, sensorineural hearing impairment of moderate degree in a 5-month male infant that was diagnosed after the failure of newborn hearing screening and because of a family history of hearing loss. His parents asked for an advice about the need of hearing aids at the Audiological and Otolaryngology Department. The diagnostic and audiological assessment recognised a conductive, moderate hearing loss associated with tympanic effusion and velar-tube dysfunction. After two months, in the follow-up, the child’s hearing threshold was normal. The case underlines the importance of early identification of hearing impairment and of a complete evaluation programme before indicating any treatment.

Meeting the Best Practice for Hearing Aid Verification in Children: Challenges and Future Directions

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 877-894
Author(s):  
Nur Azyani Amri ◽  
Tian Kar Quar ◽  
Foong Yen Chong
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Klang Valley ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Fitting Hearing Aids

Purpose This study examined the current pediatric amplification practice with an emphasis on hearing aid verification using probe microphone measurement (PMM), among audiologists in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Frequency of practice, access to PMM system, practiced protocols, barriers, and perception toward the benefits of PMM were identified through a survey. Method A questionnaire was distributed to and filled in by the audiologists who provided pediatric amplification service in Klang Valley, Malaysia. One hundred eight ( N = 108) audiologists, composed of 90.3% women and 9.7% men (age range: 23–48 years), participated in the survey. Results PMM was not a clinical routine practiced by a majority of the audiologists, despite its recognition as the best clinical practice that should be incorporated into protocols for fitting hearing aids in children. Variations in practice existed warranting further steps to improve the current practice for children with hearing impairment. The lack of access to PMM equipment was 1 major barrier for the audiologists to practice real-ear verification. Practitioners' characteristics such as time constraints, low confidence, and knowledge levels were also identified as barriers that impede the uptake of the evidence-based practice. Conclusions The implementation of PMM in clinical practice remains a challenge to the audiology profession. A knowledge-transfer approach that takes into consideration the barriers and involves effective collaboration or engagement between the knowledge providers and potential stakeholders is required to promote the clinical application of evidence-based best practice.

What Does Evidence-Based Practice Mean to You? A Follow-Up Study Examining School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists' Perspectives on Evidence-Based Practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 688-704
Author(s):  
Katrina Fulcher-Rood ◽  
Anny Castilla-Earls ◽  
Jeff Higginbotham
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Clinical Expertise ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
School Based ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Ebp Implementation

Purpose The current investigation is a follow-up from a previous study examining child language diagnostic decision making in school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs). The purpose of this study was to examine the SLPs' perspectives regarding the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) in their clinical work. Method Semistructured phone interviews were conducted with 25 school-based SLPs who previously participated in an earlier study by Fulcher-Rood et al. 2018). SLPs were asked questions regarding their definition of EBP, the value of research evidence, contexts in which they implement scientific literature in clinical practice, and the barriers to implementing EBP. Results SLPs' definitions of EBP differed from current definitions, in that SLPs only included the use of research findings. SLPs seem to discuss EBP as it relates to treatment and not assessment. Reported barriers to EBP implementation were insufficient time, limited funding, and restrictions from their employment setting. SLPs found it difficult to translate research findings to clinical practice. SLPs implemented external research evidence when they did not have enough clinical expertise regarding a specific client or when they needed scientific evidence to support a strategy they used. Conclusions SLPs appear to use EBP for specific reasons and not for every clinical decision they make. In addition, SLPs rely on EBP for treatment decisions and not for assessment decisions. Educational systems potentially present other challenges that need to be considered for EBP implementation. Considerations for implementation science and the research-to-practice gap are discussed.

Current Issues: Evidence-Based Practice for the Real World: Thoughts on Clinical Education in Communication Disorders

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 100-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne K. Bothe
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Education ◽  
Real World ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
University Faculty ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
The Real ◽  
Language Pathology

This article presents some streamlined and intentionally oversimplified ideas about educating future communication disorders professionals to use some of the most basic principles of evidence-based practice. Working from a popular five-step approach, modifications are suggested that may make the ideas more accessible, and therefore more useful, for university faculty, other supervisors, and future professionals in speech-language pathology, audiology, and related fields.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document