THE IMPACT OF MINIMAL HEARING LOSS ON FUNCTIONAL AUDITORY SKILLS IN CHILDREN

描述（由申请人提供）：相当多的研究已经证明了中度-重度听力损失对儿童功能性听觉技能发展的负面影响。轻度听力损失的影响就不太清楚了。尽管许多研究表明，轻度听力损失（MHL）儿童在许多领域可能会出现延迟，但其他研究表明，在某些方面，这些儿童的表现与听力正常的同龄人相似，或者随着年龄的增长，这些儿童可能会在特定领域“迎头赶上”。在不利的听力环境中理解言语的困难有可能延迟言语和语言技能的发展，这可能反过来影响学业和社会发展。然而，目前，对MHL儿童所经历的困难似乎没有达成共识。需要对支持语言和学习的一系列功能技能进行系统的检查。在拟议的工作中，将进行创新研究，以更好地量化MHL儿童所经历的困难。拟议研究的结果将提供关于支持MHL儿童学习的功能性听觉和语言技能影响的关键信息，从而改善这一人群的管理。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A considerable body of research has demonstrated the negative impact of moderate-profound hearing loss on development of functional auditory skills in children. The effects of milder degrees of hearing loss are less clear. Although many studies have shown that children with minimal hearing loss (MHL) may experience delays in a number of areas, other studies have shown performance similar to that of normal-hearing peers on some measures or that these children may "catch-up" in specific areas as they get older. Difficulties understanding speech in adverse listening environments have the potential to delay the development of speech and language skills, which may, in turn, affect academic and social development. However, at present, there does not appear to be a consensus on the difficulties experienced by children with MHL. A systematic examination of a range of functional skills that support language and learning is needed. In the proposed work, innovative studies will be carried out to better quantify difficulties experienced by children with MHL. Results of the proposed studies will provide critical information regarding the impact of functional auditory and language skills that support learning in children with MHL, thus improving management of this population. Relevance: The proposed research will enhance our understanding of factors that affect auditory perception, speech, language, and learning in children with minimal hearing loss. At present there is no consensus on the difficulties experienced by this population and, as a group, they are probably underserved. The results of proposed studies will lead to greater clarity about the auditory and educational needs of this population.