Functional near-infrared spectroscopy and language development: An integrative review.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) stands poised to revolutionize our understanding of auditory detection, speech perception, and language development in infants. In this study, we conducted a meticulous integrative review across Medline, Scopus, and LILACS databases, targeting investigations utilizing fNIRS to explore language-related features and cortical activation during auditory stimuli in typical infants. We included studies that used the NIRS technique to study language and cortical activation in response to auditory stimuli in typical infants between 0 and 3 years old. We used the ROBINS-I tool to assess the quality and the risk of bias in the studies. Our analysis, encompassing 66 manuscripts, is presented in standardized tables for streamlined data extraction. We meticulously correlated findings with children's developmental stages, delineating crucial insights into brain development and its intricate interplay with language outcomes. Although most studies have a high risk for overall bias, especially due to the high loss of data in NIRS studies, the low risk in the other domains is predominant and homogeneous among the studies. Highlighted are the unique advantages of fNIRS for pediatric studies, underscored by its innate suitability for use in children. This review accentuates fNIRS' capacity to elucidate the neural correlates of language processing and the sequential steps of language acquisition. From birth, infants exhibit abilities that lay the foundation for language development. The progression from diffuse to specific neural activation patterns is extremely influenced by exposure to languages, social interaction, and prosodic features and, reflects the maturation of brain networks involved in language processing. In conclusion, fNIRS emerges as an indispensable functional imaging modality, providing insights into the temporal dynamics of language acquisition and associated developmental milestones. This synthesis presents the pivotal role of fNIRS in advancing our comprehension of early language development and paves the way for future research endeavors in this domain.

Hearing brain evaluated using near-infrared spectroscopy in congenital toxoplasmosis.

Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) is a known cause of hearing loss directly caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Hearing loss might result from sensory, neural, or sensorineural lesions. Early treated infants rarely develop hearing loss, but retinochoroidal lesions, intracranial calcifications and hydrocephalus are common. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the brain evoked hemodynamic responses of CT and healthy infants during four auditory stimuli: mother infant directed speech, researcher infant directed speech, mother reading and researcher recorded. Children underwent Transitionally Evoked Otoacoustic Emission Auditory Testing and Automated Brainstem Auditory Response tests with normal auditory results, but with a tendency for greater latencies in the CT group compared to the control group. We assessed brain hemodynamics with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measurements from 61 infants, and we present fNIRS results as frequency maps of activation and deactivation for each stimulus. By evaluating infants in the three first months of life, we observed an individual heterogeneous brain activation pattern in response to all auditory stimuli for both groups. Each channel was activated or deactivated in less than 30% of children for all stimuli. There is a need of prospective studies to evaluate if the neurologic or auditory changes course with compromise of children outcomes.

Frequency Modulation System and speech perception in the classroom: a systematic literature review.

PURPOSE: This review aimed at presenting the benefits regarding the speech perception in noise shown by children who wear hearing aid devices and/or cochlear implants with the Frequency Modulation (FM) System at school. RESEARCH STRATEGY: A bibliographic survey was conducted in an electronic database with standardized search until the year 2012, and a manual search was performed by using specific keywords. SELECTION CRITERIA: For the selection and evaluation of the scientific studies chosen in the search, criteria were established covering the following aspects: type of study, participants, adopted intervention, and evaluation of results. DATA ANALYSIS: The FM system was verified to improve speech perception and speech threshold in noise in all studies. RESULTS: Regarding the performance as to type, the best results were obtained when children used the personal FM system, followed by the table and the sound field systems. CONCLUSION: After extensive review of national and international literature, it was concluded that the studies indicate the need for further research concerning mainly the impact of the FM system on the school performance of children who have sensory devices coupled to the FM system. Findings in the literature with relation to the publications focused on speech perception in noise did not relate educational and auditory aspects.

Frequency Modulation System and speech perception in the classroom: a systematic literature review / Sistema de Frequência Modulada e percepção da fala em sala de aula: revisão sistemática da literatura

PURPOSE: This review aimed at presenting the benefits regarding the speech perception in noise shown by children who wear hearing aid devices and/or cochlear implants with the Frequency Modulation (FM) System at school. RESEARCH STRATEGY: A bibliographic survey was conducted in an electronic database with standardized search until the year 2012, and a manual search was performed by using specific keywords. SELECTION CRITERIA: For the selection and evaluation of the scientific studies chosen in the search, criteria were established covering the following aspects: type of study, participants, adopted intervention, and evaluation of results. DATA ANALYSIS: The FM system was verified to improve speech perception and speech threshold in noise in all studies. RESULTS: Regarding the performance as to type, the best results were obtained when children used the personal FM system, followed by the table and the sound field systems. CONCLUSION: After extensive review of national and international literature, it was concluded that the studies indicate the need for further research concerning mainly the impact of the FM system on the school performance of children who have sensory devices coupled to the FM system. Findings in the literature with relation to the publications focused on speech perception in noise did not relate educational and auditory aspects. .

OBJETIVO: Esta revisão teve como objetivo apresentar os benefícios, em relação à percepção de fala no ruído, que crianças usuárias de aparelho de amplificação sonora individual e/ou implante coclear demonstram com o Sistema de Frequência Modulada (FM) na escola. ESTRATÉGIA DE PESQUISA: Foi realizado levantamento bibliográfico conduzido em base eletrônica de dados com busca padronizada até o ano de 2012 e busca manual, utilizando palavras-chave específicas. CRITÉRIOS DE SELEÇÃO: Para a seleção e avaliação dos estudos científicos levantados na busca, foram estabelecidos critérios contemplando os aspectos: tipo de estudo, participantes, intervenção adotada e avaliação dos resultados. ANÁLISE DOS DADOS: Foi possível verificar que o Sistema de FM melhora a percepção de fala e o limiar de fala no ruído, sendo esses resultados encontrados em todos os estudos. RESULTADOS: Em relação ao desempenho quanto ao tipo, os melhores resultados foram obtidos quando as crianças utilizavam o Sistema de FM pessoal, seguido pelo de mesa e o campo livre. CONCLUSÃO: Após a extensa revisão da literatura nacional e internacional, foi possível concluir que os estudos indicam a necessidade de pesquisas voltadas principalmente ao impacto do Sistema de FM no desempenho escolar de crianças usuárias de dispositivos sensoriais acoplados ao Sistema de FM. O que foi encontrado na literatura específica quanto às publicações voltadas à questão da percepção de fala no ruído não relacionaram os aspectos educacionais e auditivos. .