Children with Conductive Hearing Loss Fitted with Hearing Aids: Outcomes and Caregiver Experiences in South Africa

Abstract

Introduction Hearing aids are a frequent management option for children with conductive hearing loss (CHL) and it is necessary to determine the efficacy of outcomes. Limited information regarding caregivers' perceptions and experiences are available to examine outcomes in this population. Objectives To describe hearing aid outcomes and caregivers' experiences for children with CHL who wear behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. Methods Retrospective review of clinical data from 19 children between 0 and 13 years of age with CHL, who were fitted with BTE hearing aids between January 2017 and March 2020. Hearing aid outcomes were documented at one month post-hearing aid fitting, via average daily use and caregiver and teacher reports obtained through the Parents' Evaluation of Aural/oral performance of Children (PEACH) and the Teachers' Evaluation of Aural/oral performance of Children (TEACH). Telephonic surveys were conducted with 13 caregivers to explore their experiences. Qualitative data from open-ended questions were analyzed thematically. Results The average hearing aid use was 6.5 hours/day (2.0 standard deviation, SD; range 4.1–10.3) for bilateral hearing aid users. Questionnaire results indicated that most children (PEACH – 83.3% and TEACH – 92.3%) used their hearing aids more than 75% of the time. Participants performed better in quiet environments with limited sensitivity to loud sounds at home and at school. Reported challenges included stigma and device compliance. Conclusions Children with CHL used their hearing aids for comparable hours (5–8 hours/day), as reported for children with sensorineural hearing loss, but less than the recommended 10 hours/day required for adequate language development. Caregivers reported benefits equivalent to expectations, with challenges similar to those reported in high-income countries.

Outcomes and device use in children with bone-conduction hearing devices in South Africa

“…Hearing technology is only effective if consistently used (Gan et al, 2017 ). Average data logging was 7.0 h/day for the sample in this study, which is higher than reported device use with air-conduction hearing aids in three previous South African studies (Booysen et al, 2021 ; Kuschke et al, 2021 ; Van Zyl et al, 2022 ), but still falls short of the daily recommended average device use of 10 h/day for optimal speech- and language development through audition (Tomblin et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Continued research into paediatric hearing loss and outcome measures in audiological practice is essential to profession growth and person-centred care. Recently, three studies in South Africa looked at the outcomes of children with hearing loss; however, all focused on children fitted with behind-the-ear hearing aids (Booysen et al, 2021 ; Kuschke et al, 2021 ; Van Zyl et al, 2022 ). In low-resourced contexts, where middle ear pathologies and various syndromes associated with hearing loss are common (Kesser et al, 2013 ), data on the context-specific functional hearing outcomes for children who wear BCHD is necessary.…”

The implementation of inclusion services and social interaction for deaf students at Perwira Bogor city elementary public school

“…The umbrella term for the child with special needs encompasses visually impaired, deaf, mentally retarded, physically disabled, hearing impaired, learning difficulties, behavioral disorders, gifted, and healthimpaired children, each requiring tailored educational services [12]. Deaf children experience hearing loss due to malfunctioning hearing aids, necessitating specialized guidance and education for language and skill development [13]. Their language acquisition differs from that of typically developing children, relying on full communication, which utilizes various forms such as sign language, reading, writing, and speaking [14].…”