OL201 - Frontiers in Audiology Research Session

Abstract:
This is an all-new session at AAA that is sure to resonate not only with a wide range of clinical audiologists, but also those focused on conducting and learning about the latest ground-breaking research in audiology. The “Frontiers in Audiology Research” session will feature 15-minute presentations of cutting-edge research within the common theme of Pediatrics. Each invited expert presenter will share their latest findings within four distinct categories including amplification, cochlear implants, diagnostics, and vestibular sciences, as it pertains to the pediatric population. Attendees will have time at the end of the session to pose questions to our expert presenters.

Summary:
Join us for an all-new session at AAA that is sure to resonate not only with a wide range of clinical audiologists, but those focused on conducting and learning about some of the latest ground-breaking research in audiology. The “Frontiers in Audiology Research” session features 15-minute presentations of cutting-edge research from leading experts in the field of pediatric audiology. Attendees will supplement their basic understanding of pediatric amplification, cochlear implants, diagnostics, and vestibular sciences with new knowledge that has theoretical and practical implications for their clinical practice. A brief summary of each presentation is provided below.

Barriers to Facilitating Auditory Access for Children with Mild to Severe Hearing Loss

This presentation will examine the proximity of hearing aid fittings to prescriptive targets in children from rural and non-rural areas of the United States. Data come from participants who were enrolled in a longitudinal, multicenter study on outcomes of children with hearing loss. Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes, which categorize zip codes based on population density, urbanization, and daily commuting, were used to group participants into one of three categories: metropolitan, micropolitan, or rural. The proximity of hearing aid fitting to prescriptive targets with respect participant sex, race, chronological age, maternal education level, and RUCA category will be discussed.

Cochlear Implantation in Infants and Toddlers with Single-Sided Deafness

This presentation will focus on pre-and post-operative auditory development outcomes in a group of children with SSD who received cochlear implants before the age of 2 years. Outcome measures focus on spatial hearing, cognition, executive function, speech and language skills, auditory fatigue, and sensory processing.

Utilizing Wideband Acoustic Immittance to Improve the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Hearing Loss

This presentation will highlight some of these recent advancements in the use of wideband acoustic immittance in children. Wideband acoustic immittance is a measurement similar to tympanometry, but it characterizes the mechano-acoustic properties of the outer and middle ear across a broad range of frequencies. This test is quick, easy to administer, and can be used throughout the lifespan. Recent research has shown that broadband characterization of the outer and middle ear through wideband acoustic immittance provides significantly more information than standard single-frequency immittance measurements.

Pearls and Pitfalls of Developing a Pediatric Vestibular Program

This presentation will identify the main pillars needed to develop a pediatric vestibular program in your practice. The main clinical takeaway from this presentation is an understanding of the modifications necessary to conduct vestibular testing in children. Normative data using sinusoidal harmonic acceleration testing for children ages 6 months to 5 years will be shared.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
Children with single-sided deafness begin to show delays in auditory development at a very young age.
Rural children who are deaf or hard of hearing are at risk for suboptimal hearing aid fittings.
Modifications to traditional tests of vestibular function may be used to effectively assess the balance system in children.
Wideband acoustic immittance can improve the diagnosis of pediatric conductive hearing loss.