Identifying subclinical hearing problems

The teachers of 2231 elementary school children were asked to identify those with known or suspected hearing problems. Following screening, the data were compared. Teachers identified 5% of the children as hearing-impaired, while screening identified only 3%. There was agreement between the two procedures on 1%. Subsequent to the teacher interviews, rescreening and tympanometry were conducted. These procedures indicated that teacher screening and tympanometry were in agreement on 2% of the total sample or 50% of the hearing-loss group. It was concluded that teachers could supplement audiometry, particularly when otoscopy and typanometry are not available.

Download Full-text

Parents' Perception of Diagnostic Reports and Conferences

Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools ◽

10.1044/0161-1461.1402.114 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 114-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Betty U. Watson ◽

Ronald W. Thompson

Keyword(s):

Medical Treatment ◽

Diagnostic Information ◽

Learning Language ◽

Speech Learning ◽

Hearing Problems

The purpose of this study was to evaluate parents' reactions and understanding of diagnostic information from written reports and conferences in a clinic which provides multidisciplinary evaluations for children with speech, learning, language, and hearing problems. Previous studies and anecdotal reports suggested that many parents do not receive appropriate diagnostic information about their children. In the present study questionnaires were mailed to parents who had received reports of evaluations and most of whom had attended hour-long conferences covering the findings. Questionnaires were also sent to professionals who had received reports. Fifty-seven percent of the parents, and 63% of the professionals returned the questionnaires. Ninety percent of the parents indicated that they had understood the results as they were presented in the conference. Ninety-three percent of the professionals and 89% of the parents stated they understood the conclusions of the written reports .Further, 83% of the parents and 80% of the professionals reported that the findings had made a change in the child's educational or medical treatment. The percentage of parents who reported understanding the findings was greater than expected. The specific informing techniques used in this study are discussed.

Download Full-text

Use of a Mild-Gain Hearing Aid by Middle-Age Normal-Hearing Adults Who Do and Do Not Self-Report Trouble Hearing in Background Noise

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2020_aja-19-00051 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 419-428

Author(s):

Jasleen Singh ◽

Karen A. Doherty

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aids ◽

Background Noise ◽

Middle Age ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Normal Hearing ◽

Self Report ◽

Hearing Aid Use ◽

Hearing Handicap ◽

Before And After ◽

Hearing Problems

Purpose The aim of the study was to assess how the use of a mild-gain hearing aid can affect hearing handicap, motivation, and attitudes toward hearing aids for middle-age, normal-hearing adults who do and do not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. Method A total of 20 participants (45–60 years of age) with clinically normal-hearing thresholds (< 25 dB HL) were enrolled in this study. Ten self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise, and 10 did not self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. All participants were fit with mild-gain hearing aids, bilaterally, and were asked to wear them for 2 weeks. Hearing handicap, attitudes toward hearing aids and hearing loss, and motivation to address hearing problems were evaluated before and after participants wore the hearing aids. Participants were also asked if they would consider purchasing a hearing aid before and after 2 weeks of hearing aid use. Results After wearing the hearing aids for 2 weeks, hearing handicap scores decreased for the participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise. No changes in hearing handicap scores were observed for the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. The participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise also reported greater personal distress from their hearing problems, were more motivated to address their hearing problems, and had higher levels of hearing handicap compared to the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. Only 20% (2/10) of the participants who self-reported trouble hearing in background noise reported that they would consider purchasing a hearing aid after 2 weeks of hearing aid use. Conclusions The use of mild-gain hearing aids has the potential to reduce hearing handicap for normal-hearing, middle-age adults who self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. However, this may not be the most appropriate treatment option for their current hearing problems given that only 20% of these participants would consider purchasing a hearing aid after wearing hearing aids for 2 weeks.

Download Full-text

Hearing problems in Mexican American elderly

American Journal of Otolaryngology ◽

10.1016/s0196-0709(00)80004-6 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 168-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Z DAVANIPOUR ◽

N LU ◽

M LICHTENSTEIN ◽

K MARKIDES

Keyword(s):

Mexican American ◽

Hearing Problems

Download Full-text

The Role of Subjective Age Views for 9-Year Change in Self-Reported Problems With Vision and Hearing

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1971 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 588-589

Author(s):

Markus Wettstein ◽

Hans-Werner Wahl ◽

Svenja Spuling

Keyword(s):

Life Changes ◽

Subjective Age ◽

Continuous Growth ◽

Social Loss ◽

Physical Decline ◽

Region Of Residence ◽

Age Attitudes ◽

German Ageing Survey ◽

Hearing Problems

Abstract We examined the role of subjective age views (subjective age; attitudes toward own aging [ATOA]; aging-related cognitions, comprising continuous growth, social loss, and physical decline) for changes in self-reported problems with vision and hearing over up to 9 years. A subsample of the German Ageing Survey (2,499 adults aged 60-85 years at baseline) was investigated. Controlling for gender, age, education, self-rated health, and region of residence (West vs. East Germany), a younger subjective age at baseline predicted less steep increase in vision problems among individuals who were chronologically older at baseline. More favorable ATOA scores were associated with less increase in hearing problems. Higher scores on continuous growth went along with less increase in hearing problems, whereas higher social loss scores were associated with a steeper increase in vision problems. Several associations increased with advancing age. Our findings suggest that subjective age views indeed predict late-life changes in sensory problems.

Download Full-text