Ten years' experience with bone conduction hearing aids in the Western Cape, South Africa.
S Afr J Commun Disord
; 70(1): e1-e4, 2023 Jan 27.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36744472
ABSTRACT
Untreated conductive and mixed hearing losses as a result of middle ear pathology or congenital ear malformations can lead to poor speech, language and academic outcomes in children. Lack of access to centralised hearing healthcare in resource-constrained environments limits opportunities for children with hearing loss. Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital (RCWMCH) is one of only two dedicated paediatric hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa. Between 2016 and 2021, 29 children received implanted bone conduction hearing devices, and 104 children were fitted with bone conduction devices on softbands. The authors' experience at RCWMCH suggests that bone-anchored hearing devices, either fitted on softbands or on implanted abutments, can provide solutions in settings where patients have limited access to hearing healthcare and optimal classroom environments. Hearing healthcare should be accessible and delivered at the appropriate level of care to mitigate the adverse effects of hearing loss in children.Contribution This article describes strategies employed at RCWMCH such as fitting bone conduction hearing devices on a softband immediately after hearing loss diagnosis and conducting follow-up via remote technology to make hearing healthcare more accessible to vulnerable populations.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Audífonos
/
Pérdida Auditiva
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
País/Región como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
S Afr J Commun Disord
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article