Auditory performance of young children with hearing aids: the Nijmegen experience

During recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of methods for screening hearing sensitivity in toddlers. Nowadays, in several countries, nationwide screening programmes are carried out. Much less attention has been paid to the next step, namely treatment of very young hearing-impaired children with hearing devices. A review of published data indicate that the DSL (Desired Sensation Level) hearing aid prescription method, developed especially for young children, is at least a good point to begin hearing aid fitting. DSL target values for gain and output seems to be adequate for young children. Documenting the benefit for hearing aid use in young children is still cumbersome. One option is to measure the development of basal auditory functions. A review of available data showed that for this purpose, speech material can only be used in children of 3 years and older. For children of 1 year and older, tests with environmental sounds can be applied. It is concluded that, although growing, there is a lack of tests and limited knowledge on how to optimize hearing aid fittings and how to document hearing aid benefit in toddlers.