Speech perception in children with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder users of cochlear implant: a longitudinal study

Author(s)

Nayara Freitas Fernandes

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Bauru.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB/SDB)
• Defense date: 2013-09-12

Examining board members

Orozimbo Alves Costa Filho; Katia de Freitas Alvarenga; Carlos Henrique Ferreira Martins

• Advisor: Orozimbo Alves Costa Filho

Abstract

In the population with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) users of cochlear implant (CI), the characteristics inherent to this type of hearing loss may provide additional difficulties for the development of auditory skills more complex, such as speech perception in noise. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the speech perception in noise in children with ANSD users of CI. We conducted a prospective longitudinal study in Audiological Research Center (CPA) Hospital for the Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, campus Bauru (HRAC / USP-Bauru). A total of 25 children were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group consisted of 15 children with ANSD users of unilateral CI, mean age of 10 years (ranging from six to 14 years) and the control group comprised 10 children with sensorioneural hearing loss users of unilateral CI with average age of nine years (ranging, from eight to 12 years and nine months). The test applied was HINT / Brazil (Hearing in Noise Test - Portuguese version of Brazil) in free field in conditions of silence (0o azimuth) and in noise (sentences at 0o azimuth and noise at 180o azimuth). The results showed no difference between the groups with respect to the performance of speech perception in noise. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding age at surgery, duration of CI use and age at evaluation. It can be concluded that the development of listening skills and language in children with ANSD users of CI occurs similarly to the development of children with sensorioneural hearing loss users of CI. (AU)