Hearing-impaired Children Research Articles

Dental fear and caries prevalence in schoolchildren with hearing impairment in Greece.

There have been limited reports on hearing impaired (HI) children's oral health, but no data on their dental fear. The aim of this study was to assess dental fear and caries prevalence in HI children and adolescents. Upon ethical approval, all elementary and junior/senior high schools for the HI in Greece were invited to participate in the study. Students were asked to fill in the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS). High school students additionally answered the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Both questionnaires were translated into sign language by the same licensed interpreter. Caries prevalence was evaluated by dmfs/DMFS indices. Statistics by SPSS Statistics 28 (IBM) included parametric and non-parametric tests (significance at p ≤ 0.05). 33 elementary and 53 junior/senior high school students (mean age = 10.89 ± 2.63 and 16.23 ± 1.33years, respectively) participated in the study. Means of CFSS-DS were 24.1 ± 9.9 and 26.9 ± 10.5, respectively. Mean MDAS (high school students) was 11.3 ± 4.7. Mean dmfs was 2.5 ± 5.2 for elementary and mean DMFS was 3.5 ± 5.4 for elementary and 7.3 ± 9.0 for high school students, higher than similar-age general population. Dental fear was not significantly associated to age, gender, severity of hearing impairment (HI) or caries prevalence. HI children present similar dental fear values, but higher caries prevalence compared to similar-age Greek hearing population.

Application of narrow-band CE-Chirp NB ASSR in hearing threshold assessment of hearing-impaired children

Objective:To investigate the application value of NB CE-Chirp ASSR in the assessment of hearing threshold in children with hearing impairment. Methods:The hearing test results of 44 children with sensorineural hearing loss（88 ears） diagnosed in Shanghai Children's Hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were retrospectively studied, including 19 ears in mild hearing loss group, 26 ears in moderate group, 20 ears in severe group and 23 ears in extremely severe group. Correlations between auditory brainstem response（ABR） thresholds, pure tone audiometry（PTA） thresholds and NB CE-Chirp ASSR response thresholds in different hearing loss groups were analyzed. Results:The threshold difference between ABR and NB CE-Chirp ASSR（2 000-4 000 Hz） was between 0.50-4.08 dB in different degrees of hearing loss group. There was a significant correlation between NB CE-Chirp ASSR and ABR response threshold in each group（P<0.001）, and the correlation coefficients of mild, severe and extremely severe groups were all greater than 0.8, showing a strong correlation. The average threshold difference between PTA and NB CE-Chirp ASSR in each group was between 1.88-3.91 dB. The correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.8, showing a strong correlation. The difference between PTA and NB CE-Chirp ASSR response threshold at 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz in each groupwas between 0.25-3.84 dB. With the increase of frequency, the correlation coefficient between PTA and NB CE-Chirp ASSR response threshold showed an upward trend. The frequency with the highest coefficient was 4 000 Hz, and the r values were all greater than 0.9, followed by 2 000 Hz, and the correlation coefficient was relatively low at 500 Hz. In the extremely severe group, each frequency coefficient was greater than 0.7, showing a strong correlation. Conclusion:NB CE-Chirp ASSR has good frequency specificity and can reliably assess hearing thresholds in hearing-impaired children.

Characterization of middle ear microbiome in otitis media with effusion in Hungarian children: Alloiococcus otitidis may potentially hamper the microbial diversity

IntroductionAlthough otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common cause of hearing impairment in children, little is known about its microbiological background. We aimed to analyse the microbiome of the middle ear fluid (MEF) in OME to identify microbiological, demographic and environmental factors that may potentially influence the middle ear microbiome. In addition, we aimed to compare the results of conventional culture techniques and PCR-based methods. Methods39 samples from children with OME were investigated using conventional culture and 16S rRNA sequencing. Bioinformatic analyses were carried out to assess the microbial communities and their association with clinical data. ResultsBy conventional culture technique bacteria could be cultured in 33 % of the MEF samples; the most frequent bacterium was Haemophilus influenzae, followed by Staphylococcus species, Cutibacterium acne, and Streptococcus species. The 16S rRNA analysis showed that Alloiococcus was the most abundant bacterium, followed by Haemophilus, Streptococcus. and Sphingobium.A “High Alloiococcus group” with significantly lower and a “Low Alloiococcus group” with significantly higher alpha and beta diversity could be defined. Children born by Caesarean sections had lower beta and Shannon diversity than patients born by natural birth. Breastfeeding for at least six months showed a negative correlation with alpha diversity. Age, previous antibiotic treatment, parental smoking, duration of symptoms, existence of siblings, did not alter the significantly bacterial composition of MEF samples and there were no significant differences in regard to alpha or beta diversity. ConclusionThe conventional culture technique and 16S rRNA results were not congruent. Remarkably, Alloiococcus could not be cultured at all, even by 16S rRNA analysis the presence of Alloiococcus seems to be important. Based on our results, A. otitidis possibly impacts the diversity of middle ear microbiome in children with OME. However, further studies are required to determine the role of A. otidis in middle ear pathologies.

Result of consistent use of hearing aid in speech and language development.

Objective: To determine the benefits of proper guidance and proper use of hearing aid in language development age. Study Design: Descriptive Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of ENT, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Karachi Medical and Dental College. Period: January 2022 to December 2023. Methods: In this study those cases were included which came with hearing loss. Both sexes were included in this study. After informed consent complete history and examination was done. Also relevant investigations were performed where required. Results: In this study, male were 72 (60%), male female ratio was 1.5:1. Highest number of patients were between the age of 6-8 years 60 (50%). Between 1.5 to 3 years, 51 children were properly guided and followed the proper instruction of use of hearing aid while 9 children were not properly guided and not properly used of hearing aid. 92 patients (76.6%) used hearing aid consistent with proper guidance, in which 79 (85.8%) children developed good speech and language. while 13 (14.1%) children were found poor in speech and language development while 28 (23.33%) children did not use hearing aid properly and all found poor in speech and language. Conclusion: Proper use of hearing aid which may be beneficial in improvement of word recognition and speech development in hearing impaired child under proper guidance and training from otologist and audiologist.

The effect of different visual feedback interfaces of music training games on speech rehabilitation in hearing-impaired children: An fNIRS study

Singing plays a critical role in enhancing musicality, sound discrimination, and attention, and proves advantageous for speech rehabilitation in children with hearing impairments. Computer-based training games are well-suited to the learning behaviors of children, with substantial evidence suggesting that music training augments speech training capabilities in this demographic. Despite this, there is a lack of detailed exploration into the design of interactive online music training interfaces tailored for these needs. This study investigates brain activation changes using two visual feedback singing games, analyzed through functional near-infrared spectroscopy: a serious game (SG) and an entertainment game (EG) with visually enhanced feedback. It also assesses the efficacy of home-based music training software for speech rehabilitation.Methods involved recording oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (Delta [HbO]) signals from the prefrontal cortex, motor cortex, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe in 21 children (average age: 9.3 ± 1.9 years) during two singing interface experiments. Subjects also completed the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) questionnaire post-experiment.Main results showed that brain regions, particularly the temporal lobe, exhibited stronger and more pronounced activation signals with the SG interface compared to the EG, suggesting that SG is more effective for speech system rehabilitation. The Intrinsic Motivation Scale results revealed higher acceptability for SG than for EG. This study provides insights into designing online speech rehabilitation products for children with hearing impairment, advocating for better interactive training methods from a neuroscience perspective.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SENSORY EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT

The article examines the ways of developing the physical, mental and emotional education of children with specialized hearing loss and the requirements for them. We are talking about the role and importance of hearing impaired children in lessons and lessons with which physical, mental and emotional education is carried out with them.

Investigating the Relationship between Non-verbal Intelligence and Adaptive Behavior in Hearing Impaired Children

The present study intended to find out the relationship between nonverbal intelligence and adaptive behaviors in children with pre-lingual and post-lingual hearing loss. A total of 200 hearing impaired children were purposively selected from Government Special Education institute in district Khanewal who aged between 6 to 11 years. The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, and Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices were used to collect the data from participating hearing impaired children. Results showed that intelligence has significant positive relationship with daily living and motor skills, and significant negative relationship with communication and socialization skills. The independent samples t test revealed a significant difference in prelingual and post lingual children in intelligence levels with little effect size. Further, the prelingual children showed more motor behavior as compared to children in post lingual group. It is important to gather a wide range of data on adaptive behavior and intelligence, including information on performance in various contexts, from various sources, and using varied techniques.

Psychological burden of hearing-impaired children and their parents through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Childhood hearing impairment has potential repercussions on the mental well-being of both children and their parents. As a vulnerable population in accessing health care services, they may face specific challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the association between childhood hearing impairment and the mental health of children and their parents, and to assess health care utilization of hearing-impaired children and its impact on mental outcomes for both during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) database, we analyzed data for 15,989 children aged 5-17 and their corresponding parents. The correlations between childhood hearing impairment and mental outcomes were examined using logistic regression models. The 2020 (quarter 3 and quarter 4)-2021 NHIS data was singled out and re-analyzed, focusing on the utilization of medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. After accounting for covariates, hearing-impaired children exhibited a higher frequency of anxiety (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.79-3.02) or depression (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.59-2.88). Parents of hearing-impaired children had significantly higher odds of a higher frequency of anxiety (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.20-2.01) or depression (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.30-2.29). Interaction effect of hearing impairment with survey year on parents' mental health outcomes was observed (p for interaction <0.1). Children with hearing loss had higher odds of reporting delayed medical care (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.11-3.59) or canceled medical care (OR 1.96, 95% CI 0.98-3.96, p = 0.059) due to the pandemic. Delayed medical care (OR 12.41, 95% CI 2.78-55.46) or canceled medical care (OR 6.26, 95% CI 1.28-30.75) due to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly contributed to the increase of anxiety frequency in hearing-impaired children. Childhood hearing impairment exhibits a substantial impact on children's and parental mental health, which is further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Families of hearing-impaired children appear to be in a vulnerable position during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which can further exacerbate their mental outcomes.

Investigating the Effectiveness of Morphosyntactic Treatment on Production in Two Children with Hearing Impairment Older Than 3 Years

Introduction: Since hearing loss (HL) can lead to linguistic and especially morphosyntactic (MS) delay, creating a method for fostering and facilitating MS development is required. Accordingly, the auditory-based Sayeh Tahbaz Hoseynzadeh (STH)-method has been designed. Accordingly, the present article examines the effectiveness of this treatment. Case Description: Two hearing-impaired children (HIC) who used hearing aids, with moderately severe and severe HL and older than 3 years of age at the time of study, enrolled in the STH method for 24 weeks. The Persian developmental sentence scoring was used to analyze language samples together with some formal and informal assessments performed within a 12-week interval. Results: According to the Persian developmental sentence scoring used to analyze spontaneous language samples, the score of participant 1 changed from 0 to 10.6 and the score of participant 2 improved from 5 to 7.4 in the final assessment. Conclusion: The findings showed that STH-method helped in improving the MS skills of the participants.

Attitude and perception of teachers towards inclusion of children with hearing impairment in mainstream schools in Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT In most developed nations, there is a general trend of enrolling hearing-impaired children with special education needs in regular schools. Inclusive education refers to children with special education needs becoming part of a mainstream school like typically developing peers. A good method for evaluating the success of such programs is to assess teachers' attitudes towards inclusion. The inclusive education approach may be challenging to implement across all educational setups due to the lack of academic resources, expertise, and training towards inclusive education. This study explored teachers’ attitudes and perceptions towards the inclusion of children with hearing impairment in regular schools in Karnataka state. A tool named ‘Teachers Attitude Questionnaire' which was developed by Galis and Tanner was used to study the attitudes and perceptions of school teachers. The tool was then revised by considering geographic and cultural differences and was administered to 421 teachers across Karnataka. Analysis revealed a higher score in all the 4 domains of inclusive education which shows that most teachers had a positive attitude towards inclusive education. Results about teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education based on work experience, type of school, gender, medium of instruction, and level of teaching were statistically significant, p < 0.05. This study concludes that teachers' attitudes varied concerning the level of experience and level of teaching. The results of the current study also stress the need for awareness programs to bring more positive attitudes among teachers, to successfully implement inclusive education.

Identifying data elements and key features to design a telerehabilitation system for speech and language disorders in children with hearing impairments in Iran: A cross-sectional study.

Designing and implementing telerehabilitation systems would require the identification of data elements to meet disabled people's needs. An in-depth study on the identification and validation of data elements can help design and implement telerehabilitation systems successfully. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and validate data elements to design a telerehabilitation system for the speech and language disorders of hearing-impaired children in Iran. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three steps including literature review, focused group discussion, and Delphi technique implementation to extract and validate data elements. In the first step, the literature on electronic databases was reviewed to extract the data elements of telerehabilitation systems, and nine studies were selected based on the inclusion criteria. In the second step, a focused group discussion was held to review and classify the extracted data elements. Finally, the Delphi technique was employed to validate the drafted data elements. In total, 352 data elements were extracted from the literature review. Finally, 102 data elements in 10 categories (Demographic and Clinical information of the disabled person, Clinical history, Demographic information of the provider, Customization of exercises, Reminders, Online and offline counseling, and training, Reporting, Key features of the system, Evaluation of the progress of the disabled person) were classified and validated by experts as essential data elements to design a telerehabilitation system for the speech and language disorders of hearing-impaired children. The necessary data elements were proposed as the foundations to design a telerehabilitation system for the speech and language disorders of hearing-impaired children. These data elements help design and implement telerehabilitation systems successfully so that such systems can easily be provided for children with hearing disabilities.

Questionnaire survey on “The impact of the new coronavirus infection on hearing-impaired children attending hearing special-needs schools and special-needs classes”

Questionnaire survey on “The impact of the new coronavirus infection on hearing-impaired children attending hearing special-needs schools and special-needs classes”

A BRIDGE BETWEEN WORLDS: COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS AND A DEAF CHILD

With the birth of a child, parents are also born. Parents and children develop, grow, learn and make mistakes together. There is no manual to indicate whether parents are making mistakes in raising another being, nor is there a reward when they do something well. It is a subjective assessment of how good a parent someone is, mistakes in upbringing are often overlooked or it turns out that situations that seemed wrong and unsuccessful resulted in a positive outcome. Questioning the correctness of raising one's own child is a daily routine for parents. However, what happens when hearing parents have a hearing-impaired child? How do they adapt, with the added pressure of how to deal with the new situation and how to raise a child who will understand them and who they will fully understand? Of course, there are differences in raising a deaf child depending on the fact if parents are hearing or deaf, but both are guided by their natural instincts in order to achieve the best possible communication with their own child. According to one definition, communication is the ability to share values, beliefs and feelings. We can communicate verbally and non-verbally. Verbal communication refers to speech, and non-verbal communication refers to visual interaction. The aim of this research was to examine the hearing parents of hearing-impaired children about the challenges they face the most when it comes to communication with their own children and how they solve the issues. The research results showed that hearing parents of deaf children communicate with the child at an early age. However, with all the efforts they make while their child grows up, there is one significant part of the child’s personality that won’t develop properly due to missing verbal communication. For the same reason, there is a distance in mutual communication that cannot be overcome even with the unconditional love they provide. From all of the above, the conclusion emerges that it is necessary to work on the education of hearing parents of deaf children with adequate forms of communication.

Fostering Social Interaction Between Hearing Impaired and Hearing Children: The Validation of Design and Interaction Strategies Through a Peer Interaction Game.

Objective: Hearing impaired (HI) children face challenges in establishing and maintaining relationships with their hearing (H) peers, leading to potential damages on their psychological well-being. The objective of this study is to introduce and validate design strategies and interaction strategies aimed at promoting social interaction between HI children and their H peers. Materials and Methods: With a specific focus on addressing the unique needs of HI children, the design strategies and interaction strategies were derived from the previous studies. To assess the effectiveness, these strategies were implemented in a game specifically designed to encourage peer interaction betweenHI and H children. Participants, including both HI and H children, were invited to experience the game and provide feedback. Results: The results demonstrated the efficacy of these strategies in fostering the social interaction betweenHI and H children. Participants exhibited increased engagement and cooperation during gameplay, indicating the successful facilitation of peer interactions. Conclusions: By validating design and interaction strategies through a specially designed peer interaction game, the research demonstrates the effectiveness of these strategies. The findings underscore the significance of tailored strategies that address the unique challenges faced by HI children in establishing interactions with their H peers. These validated strategies can serve as a foundation for creating inclusive environments that support the overall well-being and social integration of HI children in mainstream settings.

ORGANIZING CORRECTIVE EXERCISES ON PRONUNCIATION FORMATION IN SCHOOLS OF HEARING-IMPAIRED CHILDREN

This study investigates the impact of organized corrective exercises on the pronunciation formation in hearing-impaired children within specialized school settings. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research involved 50 children aged 6-12 years, divided into an experimental group that received the intervention and a control group that followed the standard curriculum. Over a 12-week period, the experimental group participated in targeted pronunciation exercises, incorporating visual and tactile feedback and supported by speech therapy technologies. The results demonstrated significant improvements in the experimental group's pronunciation skills compared to the control group, with a large effect size indicating the practical significance of the intervention. Qualitative data from observations and interviews further highlighted increased engagement, confidence, and peer interaction among the children. These findings underscore the effectiveness of structured pronunciation training for hearing-impaired children and provide a foundation for further research and implementation in diverse educational contexts.

Development of Trisyllabic Word Recognition in Noise Test for Marathi-Speaking Children

Abstract Background Language and culture-specific speech perception tests help in the assessment of children's linguistic proficiency and comprehension. Recognizing difficulties in speech perception and implementing interventions in challenging auditory conditions are pivotal for their holistic development. Objective The aim of this study was to develop a speech perception in noise test in Marathi using trisyllabic words for children between the age ranges of 3 and 6 years. Method The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase comprised the development of trisyllabic word recognition in noise test in Marathi and the second phase comprised administration of the test on 90 typically developing normal hearing children aged 3 to 6 years. These children were divided into three groups (group A: &gt;3–4 years; group B: &gt;4–5 years; and group C: &gt;5–6 years), with 30 participants in each group. Results As the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) increases, children across different age range show an improvement in their speech perception scores. Also, young children require a more favorable SNR compared with older children to effectively comprehend speech in noisy conditions. Conclusion The Trisyllabic word recognition in noise test will help in optimizing classroom acoustics for typical developing and hearing-impaired children. An SNR-based evaluation can provide guidance regarding interventions, amplification decisions, and auditory training, ensuring effective education and communication for children with hearing impairment.

The impact of educational videos on toothbrushing behavior among hearing impairment children in special schools in Jambi city

The impact of educational videos on toothbrushing behavior among hearing impairment children in special schools in Jambi city

Assessment of oral health status and quality of life in hearing-impaired children from Syria

AimThis study aimed to evaluate the oral health status of children with hearing impairments and assess the relationship between various oral health factors and the Pediatric Oral Health-Related Quality of Life.Materials and methodsThis observational cohort study involved 90 hearing-impaired children aged 6–12 years. Diagnostic tools such as pure-tone audiometry were used to evaluate their hearing abilities. Dental health was assessed by calculating DMFT, dmft, Plaque and Gingival indices. The oral health-related quality of life was measured using the POHRQoL.ResultsThe severity of hearing impairment varied with 3% having severe hearing loss, 13% having profound hearing loss, and 83% having complete hearing loss. A high prevalence of dental cavities with 93% of children affected was found. DMFT score was similar between males and females (2.5 ± 0.3 vs. 2.3 ± 0.3 respectively). Males exhibited a higher mean dmft score (4.1 ± 0.5 vs. 3.3 ± 0.5), and a higher mean Plaque Index (1.9 ± 0.1 vs. 1.5 ± 0.1). On the other hand, females showed a higher mean Gingival Index (0.9 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.2). Results indicated a decreased OHRQoL with a mean POQL score of 6.4 ± 2.89. Spearman’s test revealed a significant positive correlation between POQL total score and DMFT scores (P = 0.000), dmft scores (P = 0.000), Plaque Index scores (P = 0.000), and Gingival Index scores (P = 0.038). There was a weak positive correlation between hearing impairment severity and POQL total score, it was not statistically significant.ConclusionsChildren who have hearing impairments exhibit poor oral health, and levels of dental caries, which can negatively impact their overall POHRQoL. Therefore, it is highly recommended to start specialized oral health education and comprehensive dental care programs to improve their OHRQoL.

Exploring the Link Between Oral Health Factors and Hearing Impairments in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Hearing-impaired children may face challenges in communication, social interaction, academic performance, and emotional well-being, which can have a notable impact on their overall quality of life. Beyond these challenges, oral health can also be significantly impacted. The relationship between hearing impairment and dental diseases is an intriguing and interconnected aspect of overall well-being that merits attention and exploration. This study aimed to assess the relationship between various oral health factors and hearing impairments. Methodology This cross-sectional study involved 90 hearing-impaired children aged 6-12 years. To evaluate the children's hearing abilities, diagnostic tools such as pure-tone audiometry were employed. To measure dental health, the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth (dmft) indices, as well as plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were calculated. The chi‑square test was used to identify significant differences between genders. Spearman's test was used to determine the correlation between variables. Results The severity of hearing impairment varied, with 5.6% having severe hearing loss, 8.9% having profound hearing loss, and 85.6% having complete hearing loss. The mean DMFT score was 2.5 ± 1.86, with no significant difference observed between males and females. The mean dmft score was 4.2 ± 3.12, with no significant difference between genders. However, there was a difference in the PI scores between males and females. Males presented a higher PI score of 2.6 ± 0.09 compared to 1.8 ± 0.08 for females. The overall mean PI was 2.1 ± 0.80. The mean GI was 1.5 ± 0.90, and no significant difference was observed between males and females. Spearman's test identified a significant positive correlation between the severity of hearing impairment and both PI scores (p = 0.000) and GI scores (p = 0.000). Conversely, the severity of hearing impairment showed a weak positive correlation with both DMFT scores (p = 0.487) and dmft scores (p = 0.229), but these correlations were not statistically significant. Conclusions The connection between oral health and severe hearing impairment in children is significant and has potential implications. Pediatric healthcare providers, including dentists and audiologists, need to work collaboratively to monitor the oral and aural health of young patients.

Program Requirements on Speech Development for Children with Hearing Impairment in Preparatory Class

The article summarizes primary rules that must be strictly observed in preparatory classes of public schools for the hearing impaired children. It is especially important to highlight the fact that children with hearing impairment may also have some difficulties in understanding another person's speech at the beginning, so it is necessary to accompany the langauge with a sign or a gesture. When composing words and phrases, it is desirable for the mother tongue teacher to have 2 types of primers: one of which will have movable letters. The above-mentioned rules will enable everyone to quickly and easily implement the education process with hearing impaired children. The article outlines the software requirements for children with hearing impairments in the preparatory class. Here, it is important to mention that education of these children begins with the development of word communication skills, highlighting the formation of abstract abilities. The program envisages timing and scope of work on this or that word material. The word material used in the native language classes should correspond to the age-specific features of the children.