A randomized controlled comparison of NAL and DSL prescriptions for young children: Hearing-aid characteristics and performance outcomes at three years of age

Abstract Objective: To determine the influence of choice of prescription and other child-, family- and intervention-related factors on speech, language, and functional performance of hearing-impaired children by three years of age. Design and study sample: A randomized controlled design was implemen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of audiology 2013-12, Vol.52 (S2), p.S17-S28
Main Authors: Ching, Teresa YC, Dillon, Harvey, Hou, Sanna, Zhang, Vicky, Day, Julia, Crowe, Kathryn, Marnane, Vivienne, Street, Laura, Burns, Lauren, Van Buynder, Patricia, Flynn, Christopher, Thomson, Jessica
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CDI
Child, Preschool
Children
DEAP
DSL m[i/o]
DSL v.4.1
Female
Fitting
Functional performance
Hearing aids
Hearing Aids - standards
Hearing impairment
Hearing Loss - therapy
Hearing-aid prescription
Humans
Infant
language
Language Development
Male
maternal education
NAL-NL1
NAL-NL2
PEACH
PLS-4
PPVT
Prescriptions
randomized controlled trial
socio-economic status
Speech
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Abstract Objective: To determine the influence of choice of prescription and other child-, family- and intervention-related factors on speech, language, and functional performance of hearing-impaired children by three years of age. Design and study sample: A randomized controlled design was implemented as part of a population-based, longitudinal study on outcomes of children with hearing impairment (LOCHI) in Australia. Two hundred and eighteen children were randomly assigned to either the NAL or the DSL prescription for first fitting of hearing aids. Their performance outcomes were evaluated. Results: Prescriptive targets were closely matched in children's hearing aids. There were no significant differences in children's language, speech production, or functional performance between prescriptions. Parents' ratings of children's device usage and loudness discomfort were not significantly different between prescription groups. Functional performance within the first year of fitting together with degree of hearing loss, presence of additional disabilities, and maternal education explained 44% of variation in language ability of children by three years of age. Conclusions: There was no significant association between choice of hearing-aid prescription and variance in children's outcomes at three years of age. In contrast, additional disability, maternal educational level, and early functional performance were significant predictive factors of children's outcomes.
ISSN:1499-2027
1708-8186
DOI:10.3109/14992027.2012.705903