Prediction of uptake and retention of conventional hearing aids in Korean pediatric patients with unilateral hearing loss

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to describe and predict hearing aid uptake and retention in Korean pediatric patients with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) in a secondary referral hospital. MethodsThis was a retrospective study using clinical data collected at the time of UHL diagnosis. The study included data collected from 2009 to 2016. Serial audiograms were extracted from clinical charts, and follow-up status and rehabilitation decisions were analyzed. ResultsOf 102 children and adolescents (9.5 ± 5.1 years, 64 male), 52.9% followed a check-up schedule, and 31 (30.4%) obtained a hearing aid. Hearing threshold and speech discrimination scores were predictive parameters of hearing aid uptake. Among those who used a hearing aid, 17 (56.7%) subjects used it successfully based on significant predictive parameters of channel number. ConclusionHearing aid retention in pediatric patients seems less predictable than in adults with UHL. No good predictable parameter for hearing aid retention was identified except channel number for pediatric UHL cases. Regular monitoring of hearing and selection of a multi-channel hearing aid are crucial to minimize the potential negative effects of UHL.