Evaluating perceptual benefits of bilateral cochlear implants for young children and infants
Contact: Dr Karyn Galvin
Background
A significant body of research suggests that children may gain more from bilateral implants rather than a unilateral implant. This research includes studies focussing on the effects of unilateral hearing loss, the benefits for adults of bilateral implants, and the benefits for children of using a contra-lateral hearing aid with an implant, along with initial research evaluating bilateral implants in children.
Dr Karyn Galvin
Research Aims
The main aim of this project is to evaluate the additional perceptual benefits provided to children through the provision of bilateral implants. A secondary aim includes gathering information which will aid the development of appropriate pre-operative selection criteria and pre-operative and post-operative counselling and clinical management processes.
Project Details
Based on the type of testing they are able to complete, participants are divided into those receiving bilateral implants before or after the age of 4 years. Objective assessment focuses on speech detection or discrimination in noise and localisation. Subjective assessment of benefit is measured using interviews, parent diaries and a questionnaire evaluating everyday listening skills.
Child participating in a test session
People
- Dr Karyn Galvin
- Ms Kathryn Hughes
- Ms Jennifer Holland
- Ms Leonie Fewster
- Ms Alexandra Tomov
- Ms Meredith Prain
- Ms Mansze Mok
Funding
National Health and Medical Research Council 5-year Project Grant (No. 454318):
Evaluating perceptual benefits of bilateral cochlear implants for young children and infants
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne
Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
William Angliss Foundation
Collier Fund
Relevant Publications
Galvin, K., Leigh, J. & Hughes, K. Clinical management of the child receiving a sequential (second) cochlear implant. Cochlear Implants International, In press.
Galvin, K., Mok, M., Dowell, R. & Briggs, R. Speech detection and localization results and clinical outcomes for children receiving sequential bilateral cochlear implants before 4 years. International Journal of Audiology, 47(10) 2008, 636 - 646.
Galvin KL, Mok M, Dowell RC. Perceptual benefit and functional outcomes for children using sequential bilateral cochlear implants. Ear& Hearing 28: 470-482, 2007.
Galvin, K.L. , Mok, M., Dowell, R.C. & Briggs, R.J. 12-month post-operative results for older children using sequential bilateral implants. Ear & Hearing, 28(2) 2007, S19-S21.
Mok M, Galvin KL, Dowell RC, McKay CM. Spatial unmasking and binaural advantage for speech detection in children with normal hearing, bimodal devices and bilateral cochlear implants. Audiology& Neurotology 12: 19-30, 2007.
Presentations
Galvin, K.L, Hughes, K., Holt, C., Mok M., Dowell, R.C. & Briggs, R.J. Benefits of bilateral implantation for young children. Paper presented at the XVIII National Conference of the Audiological Society of Australia, Canberra, May 20-23 2008
Hughes, K., Galvin, K.L & Mok M. Case Studies of two older children using bilateral cochlear implants. Paper presented at the XVIII National Conference of the Audiological Society of Australia, Canberra, May 20-23 2008
Galvin, K.L, Mok M., Dowell, R.C. & Briggs, R.J. Bilateral cochlear implantation for children under 4 years: Perceptual and functional benefits. Paper presented at 6th Congress of the Asia Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implant and Related Sciences, Sydney, Oct 30-Nov 2, 2007.
Mok, M., Galvin, K.L., Dowell, R. & McKay, C.M. Speech perception in noise for children with a hearing aid and a cochlear implant in opposite ears. Paper presented at the 6th Asia Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implants and Related Sciences, Sydney, Australia, Oct 30-Nov 2, 2007.
Galvin, K.L, Mok M. & Dowell. Bilateral cochlear implantation for children in Melbourne. Paper presented at the 5th Asia Pacific Conference on Speech, Language and Hearing, Brisbane, July 9-13, 2007.
Briggs, R., Galvin, K., Mok, M. & Dowell, R. Bilateral cochlear implants in children: Current recommendations. Paper presented at the Australasian Society of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Queenstown NZ, July 8-10, 2007.
Galvin, K.L., Mok, M. & Dowell, R. Sequential bilateral implants for young children: Left vs right localisation and speech detection results. Paper presented at the 11th International Conference on Cochlear Implants in Children, Charlotte, North Carolina, April 11-14, 2007.
Galvin, K.L., Mok, M,. & Dowell, R. Localisation, speech perception and clinical outcomes for older children using sequential bilateral cochlear implants. Paper presented at the 11th International Conference on Cochlear Implants in Children, Charlotte, North Carolina, April 11-14, 2007.
Galvin, K.L., Mok, M. & Dowell, R.C. Outcomes for older children with 2 years experience using bilateral cochlear implants. Paper presented at XVII National Conference of the Audiological Society of Australia, Perth, May 16-19, 2006, Austr & New Zealand J of Audiol, 28, 2006.
Galvin, K.L., Mok, M. & Dowell, R.C. Subjective reports and objective assessment of benefit for young children using bilateral implants. Paper presented at XVII National Conference of the Audiological Society of Australia, Perth, May 16-19, 2006, Austr & New Zealand J of Audiol, 28, 2006.
Mok, M., Galvin, K. & Dowell, R. Spatial Unmasking in Children with Normal Hearing. Paper presented at XVII National Conference of the Audiological Society of Australia. Perth, May 16-19, 2006, Austr & New Zealand J of Audiol, 28, 2006.
Galvin, K.L., Mok, M. & Dowell, R.C. 12-month post-operative results for five bilaterally-implanted children. Paper presented at 10th Symposium on Cochlear Implants in Children, Dallas, March 17-19, 2005.
Galvin, K.L., Dowell, R.C. & Mok M. Bilateral Cochlear Implantation for Children in Melbourne: Description of the Research Project and Initial Results. Paper presented at XVI National Conference of the Audiological Society of Australia, Brisbane, Australia, May 17-20, 2004.