Outcomes and device use in children with bone-conduction hearing devices in South Africa
Background: Bone-conduction hearing devices (BCHD) can provide hearing solutions in settings where middle ear pathology is rife. Objectives: Describe functional hearing outcomes and device use of children fitted with BCHD. Method: Retrospective review of 79 children fitted with BCHD between Januar...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2024-02-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Communication Disorders |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1005 |
| Summary: | Background: Bone-conduction hearing devices (BCHD) can provide hearing solutions in settings where middle ear pathology is rife.
Objectives: Describe functional hearing outcomes and device use of children fitted with BCHD.
Method: Retrospective review of 79 children fitted with BCHD between January 2017 and May 2022. Outcomes included device use and subjective reports measured with the Parents’ Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH) and the Teachers’ Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (TEACH). Analysis of variance established association between mean data logging and type and degree of hearing loss. Thematic analyses were done for qualitative outcomes.
Results: Average usage was 7.0 h/day (5.4 SD; range 0.1–24). PEACH ratings indicated 93.3% of children wore their BCHD ‘always’ or ‘often’, with 80% displaying Typical auditory performance at 1-month follow-up. TEACH ratings indicated 84.2% of children wore their BCHD ‘always’ or ‘often’, with 78.9% showing typical auditory behaviour. Increased usage was noted for conductive, mixed, moderate and severe hearing losses. There was a mean delay of 17.2 months (23.4 SD; range 0–90) between age of diagnosis and fitting. Thematic analyses identified two main themes: advantages and barriers to BCDH use.
Conclusion: Average device use fell short of the internationally recommended 10 h/day. Higher BCHD use was associated with higher functional listening performance scores. Long waiting times for medical or surgical intervention for conductive hearing losses can delay BCHD fitting.
Contribution: Limited information is available to examine outcomes in children fitted with BCHD. |
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| ISSN: | 0379-8046 2225-4765 |