Наука и инновации в медицине (Mar 2021)

Interdisciplinary approach in audiology – an experience of pediatric amplification

  • Gaziz Sh. Tufatulin,
  • Inna V. Koroleva,
  • Maryana Sergeevna Korkunova

DOI
https://doi.org/10.35693/2500-1388-2021-6-1-20-24
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 1
pp. 20 – 24

Abstract

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Objectives to develop an algorithm for the interaction between an audiologist and speech-language therapist in initial amplification for hearing impaired children. Material and methods. 219 children with hearing impairments aged from 2 months to 16 years were divided into 2 groups. The experimental group consisted of children who got a special course of medical, psychological and pedagogical rehabilitation at the stage of initial fitting, based on the new algorithm of interdisciplinary interaction between an audiologist and a speech-language therapist. The control group included children with traditional procedure of hearing aids fitting, in which the audiologist did not interact with the speech therapist. Results. The algorithm for the interaction of an audiologist and speech-language therapist included 3 stages of hearing aids fitting (preparation, initial fitting, adaptation and fine tuning of hearing aids). The tasks of each specialist at these stages were identified, including the parents involvement in the process of fitting. The exchange of information between specialists was organised by a developed protocol. The algorithm was implemented in a special course of medical-psychological-pedagogical rehabilitation in the Center of Pediatric Audiology. It was found that in 1 month after the primary fitting among children who underwent this course, the significantly larger number of children used the hearing aids for more than 8 hours a day and reached the integral criterion of effective hearing aids fitting, if compared to the control group. These children also took less time to adjust their hearing aid settings during the repeated fitting sessions. Conclusion. A structured interdisciplinary interaction between an audiologist and speech-language therapist at the stage of initial amplification significantly increases the effectiveness of medical technology for restoring hearing function in children.

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