Rehabilitative Online Education versus Internet Discussion Group for Hearing Aid Users: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conclusions:

This study provides preliminary evidence that the Internet can be used to deliver education to experienced hearing aid users who report residual hearing problems such that their problems are reduced by the intervention. The study also suggests that online discussion forums could be used in rehabilitation. A combination of online professional supervised education and online informal discussions could be a promising rehabilitation tool.

from the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology

Assessment of Mandarin-speaking pediatric cochlear implant recipients with the Mandarin Early Speech Perception (MESP) test

These results provide preliminary validation of the MESP test for use in evaluation of Mandarin-speaking pediatric CI recipients. Use of objective outcome assessment tools such as the MESP following early cochlear implantation can be used to document the progress of CI recipients and identify those recipients who may need additional rehabilitative intervention.

from the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Bilateral hearing results of 751 unilateral stapedotomies evaluated with the Glasgow benefit plot

Conclusion: This study represents the largest reported series of primary stapedotomy cases evaluated with the Glasgow benefit plot. Patients’ bilateral post-operative hearing function depended on their type of pre-operative hearing impairment. Pre-operative bone conduction thresholds, corrected for Carhart’s effect, were useful in predicting achievable post-operative air conduction.

from the Journal of Laryngology and Otology

Functional status after total laryngectomy: cross-sectional survey of 79 laryngectomees using the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer

Conclusions: In post-laryngectomy patients, Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer scores improved over time, especially those for the speech and public eating domains, reflecting increasing confidence in social interactions and familiarity with surgical voice restoration.

from the Journal of Laryngology and Otology

Developing a Traumatic Brain Injury Index for Social and Vocational Communication Outcomes (SAVCO)

Objective: To describe the development of a functional communication assessment. A secondary aim is to illustrate a process for identifying functional communication outcomes in clients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The TBI Index for Social and Vocational Communication Outcomes (SAVCO) is designed to identify limitations to everyday communication activities that may present following TBI. It was constructed by anchoring communication activities derived from studies within New Zealand into an internationally recognised theoretical construct, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Four key principles: authenticity of the items, attention to context, collaboration and transparency, underpin the assessment. Main outcomes: The article describes the process of developing a TBI measure that is authentic to an intended population. It provides a preliminary description of the SAVCO, its different constructs and the rationale for their inclusion. The SAVCO is an assessment that highlights everyday activities that are relevant targets for intervention for the individual. The client’s performance on the identified activities is explored according to the efficiency and manner of executing the activity. The scope and level of the activity are also determined. Conclusions: The development of the SAVCO illustrates a process for identifying relevant and important functional communication activity items and promotes the use of the ICF framework and rating scales. The preliminary findings suggest that the SAVCO has clinical relevance providing speech–language therapists with a functional communication assessment that leads to the identification and measurement of client-centred therapy outcomes.

from Brain Impairment