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

描述(由申请人提供)：大量研究表明，中度至重度听力损失对儿童功能性听力技能的发展有负面影响。轻度听力损失的影响还不太清楚。虽然许多研究表明，轻度听力损失(MHL)的儿童可能会在许多方面出现迟缓，但其他研究表明，在某些指标上，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缓言语和语言技能的发展，这反过来可能会影响学业和社会发展。然而，目前看来，对于患有MHL的儿童所经历的困难，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检查。在拟议的工作中，将开展创新研究，以更好地量化患有MHL的儿童所经历的困难。拟议的研究结果将提供有关功能性听觉和语言技能的影响的关键信息，这些技能支持MHL儿童的学习，从而改善对这一群体的管理。 相关性：拟议的研究将加强我们对影响听力损失最小儿童的听觉感知、言语、语言和学习的因素的理解。目前，对于这些人所经历的困难没有达成共识，作为一个群体，他们可能得不到足够的服务。拟议的研究结果将使人们更清楚地了解这一群体的听觉和教育需求。

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.