Abstract
Objective: Efficacy of insert and supra-aural earphones during visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA) was investigated for 12-to 24-month-old children. Design: VRA testing began in the soundfield and transitioned to either insert or supra-aural earphones. Audiologists recorded threshold estimates, participant behaviors, and an overall subjective rating of earphone acceptance. Study sample: One hundred and eighty-six 12-to 24-month-old children referred to the Department of Audiology at St. Louis Childrens Hospital for a variety of reasons. Results: Subjective ratings indicated high acceptance of insert earphones (84%) and supra-aural earphones (80%) despite negative behaviors. There was no significant difference in the number of threshold estimates based on earphone type for 12-to 17-month-old participants. Participants in the 18-to 24-month-old age group provided significantly more threshold estimates with insert earphones (mean = 5.3 threshold estimates, SD = 3.5) than with supra-aural earphones (mean = 2.9 threshold estimates, SD = 2.9). All seven participants who rejected earphone placement were successfully reconditioned for soundfield testing. Conclusions: Data support the use of insert earphones during VRA, especially with 18-to 24-month-old children, to obtain ear-specific information.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 248-253 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | International Journal of Audiology |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2 2016 |
Keywords
- Visual reinforcement audiometry
- hearing assessment
- insert earphones
- pediatrics
- supra-aural earphones
- young children