Open AccessQuantification of Speech-in-Noise and Sound Localisation Abilities in Children with Unilateral Hearing Loss and Comparison to Normal Hearing Peers
Author(s) -
Ruth M. Reeder,
Jamie Cadieux,
Jill B. Firszt
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
audiology and neuro-otology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.106
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1421-9700
pISSN - 1420-3030
DOI - 10.1159/000380745
Subject(s) - audiology , quiet , noise (video) , hearing loss , psychology , unilateral hearing loss , population , medicine , computer science , physics , environmental health , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , image (mathematics)
The study objective was to quantify abilities of children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) on measures that address known deficits for this population, i.e. speech understanding in quiet and noise, and sound localisation. Noise conditions varied by noise type and source location. Parent reports of real-world abilities were also obtained. Performance was compared to gender- and age-matched normal hearing (NH) peers. UHL performance was poorer and more varied compared to NH peers. Among the findings, age correlated with localisation ability for UHL but not NH participants. Low-frequency hearing in the better ear of UHL children was associated with performance in noise; however, there was no relation for NH children. Considerable variability was evident in the outcomes of children with UHL and needs to be understood as future treatment options are considered.