A RETROSPECTIVE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SCIENCE-BASED APPROACH TO PEDIATRIC HEARING-AID FITTING; WHAT A DIFFERENCE 40 YEARS

Course overview

Who Should Attend: Pediatric audiologists and others who frequently treat and diagnosis pediatric patients Level: Intermediate Program Focus: Knowledge and Skills Learner Outcomes: Upon completion, each participant in the Web seminar will be able to: 1. Describe the application of the real-ear-to-coupler difference (RECD) measurement results in the audiometric assessment of infants 2. Describe how the DSL hearing aid fitting method has been modified over the years to account for developments in hearing instrument technology 3. Discuss the results of several recent studies that have examined the relationships among several hearing aid fitting variables and performance outcomes in children who use hearing aids Description: The first part of this eAudiology Web seminar will discuss the motivation for an evolutionary process in developing the Desired Sensation Level (DSL) Method for pediatric hearing aid fitting. Emphasis will be given to the innovative assessment, electroacoustic selection and verification protocols that have been developed in our Child Amplification Laboratory. Research findings that support the application of these clinical protocols will be reviewed. The second part will provide a summary 'status report' based upon the results of several recent studies that have examined the relationships among several hearing aid fitting variables and outcomes in children who use amplification.