Hearing Technology

ABSTRACT

Much attention has been given to the potential difficulties encountered by children with permanent unilateral and minimal or mild bilateral hearing loss. Psychoeducational and psychosocial problems have been well documented in a large percentage of these children. However, audiologists remain concerned about the appropriate application of hearing technologies in children with these mild degrees of losses and the effectiveness of these technologies. Concerns generally center on which of these children should use hearing technology, which technologies are most effective, and how the technology should be fitted. Furthermore, audiologists are uncertain about when children should be fit with hearing technology. This review of hearing technologies used with children who have permanent unilateral hearing loss or minimal or mild bilateral hearing loss is intended to serve as a guide to audiologists when considering possible technology options and fitting configurations. It is clear that hearing technology decisions must be made on a child-by-child basis taking into consideration each child's unique set of listening needs and obstacles.

KEYWORDS

Hearing aids - FM - unilateral hearing loss - mild hearing loss

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