Interdisciplinary Approach in Audiology – An Experience of Pediatric Amplification

Abstract

Abstract
 The aim of the study was to develop an algorithm for the interaction between an audiologist and speech-language therapist in initial amplification for hearing impaired children.
 Methods. 219 children aged 2 months to 16 years with hearing impairments 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 didnt interact with the speech therapist.
 Results. An 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, a development of the protocol for the exchange of information between specialists. 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, significantly more children used hearing aids for more than 8 hours a day and reached the integral criterion of effective hearing aids fitting compared with the control group. These children also took less time to adjust their hearing aid settings during 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.