Correlates of vestibular evaluation results during the first year of life.

Prenatal and perinatal correlates of abnormal auditory brainstem responses in neonates have been studied extensively. In contrast, vestibular function during the first year of life has received sparse attention. Using a specially modified vestibular test battery, 65 infants (17 low-risk, 48 high-risk) were initially evaluated during their first 6 months of life. Results revealed normal vestibular function in 46 infants (13 low-risk, 33 high-risk) and abnormal findings at either 3 or 6 months in 19 infants (4 low-risk, 15 high-risk). Correlations between vestibular results and variables such as auditory brainstem response results, birth history, and postnatal course in the neonatal intensive care unit were analyzed statistically. While some differences were mildly significant, none were highly significant. The lack of significant correlation between abnormal auditory brainstem response and vestibular results is of particular interest.

Patterns of physical and sexual abuse of communicatively handicapped children.

Evidence suggests that handicapped children are at increased risk for abuse and neglect. Communicatively impaired youngsters are particularly vulnerable because of their limited ability to report the maltreatment. Of 482 abused handicapped children evaluated at Boys Town National Research Hospital, 212 had hearing impairment, 87 speech language disorders, 39 learning disorders, 43 behavioral-emotional disturbances, 74 mental retardation, 5 visual impairment, 3 cleft lip or palate, and 19 other disorders. The perpetrator was either a relative or a "trusted other" in 97.2% of sexual abuse cases. Handicapped males were much more likely to be victims of sexual abuse than nonhandicapped males in the general population. Children being educated in residential schools were more likely to be sexually abused than mainstreamed youngsters. These children may be at risk for abuse from a wide variety of potential perpetrators, including teachers, dormitory counselors, van drivers, clergy, classroom aides, older students, peer siblings, scout leaders, abused peers, baby-sitters, and custodians.

The effects of psychotherapy on behavior problems of sexually abused deaf children.

This study assessed the effectiveness of a broad based psychotherapeutic intervention with a sample of 72 children sexually abused at a residential school for the deaf. An untreated comparison group emerged when about half of their parents refused the offer for psychotherapy provided by the school. Treated and untreated children were randomly assigned to two assessment groups: those who participated in a pretreatment assessment and those who did not. Houseparents at the residential school used the Child Behavior Checklist (CBC) to rate the pretreatment assessment children before treatment and all 72 children one year after the implementation of psychotherapy. Children receiving therapy had significantly fewer behavior problems than children not receiving therapy. There was a differential response to therapy on the basis of sex. Boys receiving therapy had significantly lower scores on the following CBC scales than the no treatment group: Total, Internal, External, Somatic, Uncommunicative, Immature, Hostile, Delinquent, Aggressive, and Hyperactive. There were no differences on the Schizoid and Obsessive scales. Girls receiving therapy had significantly lower scores than the no treatment group on the following CBC scales: Total, External, Depressed, Aggressive, and Cruel. There were no differences on the Internal, Anxious, Schizoid, Immature, Somatic, and Delinquent scales.

Basic characteristics of click-evoked otoacoustic emissions in infants and children.

Since Kemp [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 64, 1386-1391 (1978)] first described click-evoked otoacoustic emissions (COAEs), researchers have advocated their use as an excellent tool for diagnosing hearing loss in infants and children. However, there are few detailed reports of COAEs in this population, and those that do exist suggest that there are age-dependent differences. The purpose of the current study was to determine basic characteristics of COAEs in infants, toddlers, children, and young adults and to define any differences among age groups. An additional goal was to ensure that spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) did not confound any possible developmental effects. COAEs and SOAEs were measured from one ear of 223 normal-hearing subjects. COAE input/ output functions indicated that children aged less than one year have higher COAE levels than older children and adults. Children aged 1-5 yr had higher COAE levels than those aged 12-17 yr and adults. These differences were independent of level and SOAE status, but were dependent on frequency. The results of this study suggest that different clinical norms may be necessary for children aged less than 6 years.

Basic characteristics of distortion product otoacoustic emissions in infants and children.

Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions at the 2 f1-f2 frequency (DPOAEs) are being advocated as a clinical tool for diagnosis of peripheral auditory pathology. Because they can be measured quickly and noninvasively, they may be an excellent method for identifying hearing loss in infants and children. However, few studies have examined the characteristics of DPOAEs in infants and children or detailed if, and how, their responses differ from those of adults. The purpose of the current study was to determine basic characteristics of DPOAEs in infants, toddlers, children, and young adults and to define any differences among age groups. An additional goal was to ensure that the presence of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) did not confound any developmental effect. DPOAE input/output (I/O) functions at seven f2 frequencies and SOAEs were measured from one ear of 196 subjects. Children aged less than 1 yr had significantly higher mean DPOAE levels than older children and adults, and children aged 1-3 yr had higher mean DPOAE levels than teens and adults. These differences were dependent on frequency but were independent of f2 level and SOAE status. At every f2 frequency, groups of individuals having SOAEs had higher mean DPOAE levels than those not having SOAEs.