Assistive Technology For Hearing and Speech Disorders

Many individuals with hearing loss will need rehabilitation in order to live maximally productive lives. As such, they need a variety of assistive technologies that provide them with improved access to information thereby enhancing their communication capabilities in a wide variety of environments. Most devices either provide sound amplification or alternate ways to access information through vision and /or vibration. These technologies can be grouped into three general categories. Within each main category, there are subcategories based on different purposes or the intended audiences when utilizing the technology. The overall goal of these devices is improved accessibility to information as close as possible to that enjoyed by individuals without speech and language disorders. The paper discusses the assistive technology for those with hearing impairment. Keywords: Assistive Listening Device, Hearing Technology, Alerting Devices, Communication Suppor

Hearing Loss and the Elderly - A Primer

Hearing impairment, is very common among the elderly. In many of them it can be so disabling that it affects normal day to day activities, impairs communication and puts them at risk of social isolation and psychological problems. Fortunately, while it cannot be reversed most times, hearing loss in the elderly can be so well managed that the elderly can enjoy a good quality of life. This article is a review on presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), the physiology and management as a means of sensitizing medical personnel and those working with the elderly

Current Trends in Audiological Practices and Implications for Developing Countries

This paper examines the current trends in audiological practices in Nigeria, as it makes case for compulsory use of electro- physiological tests in determining the hearing potentials of children in the country, as against the use of behavioural audiometric strategy which requires the active participation of the patients. Varieties of electro- physiological tests such as Auditory Brainstem Response Test (ABR), Oto- Acoustic Emission, and modern advances such as cochlear implants and auditory brainstem implants for Neuro- Fibromatosis type 2 (NF2) as practiced in developed countries were explained. These current trends in audiological practices should serve as a catalyst to stimulate the developing countries in managing hearing and speech disorders. Keywords: Audiological practices, Developing countries, Audiological investigations, Audiological  Managemen

Comparison of Academic Achievement between Students with Congenital and Acquired Deafness in a Nigerian College

Background:-Most students with deafness have some difficulty with academic achievement, especially with reading and mathematics. However, the range of intelligence levels of students with deafness does not differ from the range in their hearing counterparts. Academic performance must not be equated with intelligence. Most children who are deaf have normal intellectual capacity and it has been repeatedly demonstrated that their scores on non-verbal intelligence tests are approximately the same as those of the general population. Deafness imposes no limitations on the cognitive capabilities of individuals. The problems that deaf students often experience in academics and adjustment may be largely attributed to a bad fit between their perceptual abilities and the demands of spoken and written English. Several studies have suggested that one of the most potent predictors of academic achievement for the students with deafness is the amount of personalized and specialized attention they receive.           Objective:- The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of differences between the academic achievement of students with congenital and that of students with acquired deafness. Methods:- Fifty students with deafness (twenty-five students with congenital deafness and twenty-five students with acquired deafness) were studied ex-post facto.  All fifty students were of the same educational level at the Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, Nigeria. The instruments used were teacher-made achievement test and subjects academic records on English and Mathematics. The teacher-made achievement test was tested valid with the use of Kuder-Richardson (KR-21), which indicated an alpha level of 0.62. Result:- There was no significant difference in the academic achievement (t = 2.00, p=0.973) in mathematics performance (t = 2.00, p=0.765) or in English Language performance (t= 2.00, p=0.680) between students with congenital deafness and those with acquired deafness. Conclusion: Academic achievement is comparable among non-mentally retarded deaf students who are undergoing proper rehabilitation irrespective of whether the deafness was congenital or acquired Keywords- Academic achievement, Congenital deafness, Acquired deafness, Nigerian colleg

Hearing Loss among Elderly Patients in an Ear Clinic in Nigeria

Background - Hearing Loss is a very common disabling condition among the elderly. It is estimated that above the age of 60, one in four people have some degree of hearing loss and over the age of 70, to one in two. Approximately one-third of persons above 65 years have disabling hearing loss. This study was to investigate the pattern of hearing among the elderly patients in an ear clinic in Nigeria. Methods - Eighty-eight elderly patients were studied ex-post facto. These were the patients aged over 65 among 586 patients who had presented for hearing loss and had been sent for Pure Tone Audiometry over a period of three years. Results - The eighty eight patients studied comprised 15% of the 586 patients who had been seen for Pure Tone Audiometry. Mean age was 72.4 years (SD= 6.58). The Male: Female ratio was 1.9:1. There was normal hearing in 18%. More than eight out of ten (82%) had hearing loss. Among those with hearing loss, more than eight out of ten (82%) had disabling hearing loss. Although a mixed hearing loss pattern predominated, there where almost as many with only sensorineural hearing loss. Thus more than seven out of ten had some sensorineural hearing loss. And although the majority of those with hearing loss had the classical sloping presbyacisis pattern, other patterns were also found. Conclusion - Disabling hearing loss is very common among the elderly. It is usually due to presbyacusis but can also be from other causes. Since there is a risk of subsequent psychological problems and social isolation, all caregivers of elderly people should be aware of this and provide care or guidance appropriately. In addition, strategic initiatives directed to the elderly, the general public, health workers, professionals working with the elderly, ear and hearing specialists, government entities and Non Governmental Organizations are needed to address the issue. Keywords: Hearing Loss, Elderly, Rehabilitation, Nigeri

Profile of Childhood Hearing Loss in A Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: Childhood hearing loss in the developing world is associated with late diagnosis and rehabilitation challenges. Methods: A retrospective review of all the cases of childhood hearing loss from January 2007 to December 2011 in a tertiary health institution. Results: A total of 53 patients, with the majority (92.5%) resulted from acquired causes of which 88.7% were due to birth asphyxia. Over 73% presented with moderately severe to profound hearing loss. Only 15% had a hearing aid fitted, 22.6% will require cochlear implant, while 43.3% could not afford a hearing aid. Conclusion: Developing countries are noted for a higher prevalence of acquired and preventable causes of childhood hearing loss. Primary prevention through effective obstetric care, public enlightenment, incorporation of universal hearing screening programs into the national policies, and readily available and affordable rehabilitative facilities are advised. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2014; 3(4.000): 226-232