2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
Audiologic Management for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
It is estimated that up to seven percent of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), though not much is known about the success of audiologic intervention for this population. Further, for the children in this group who utilize hearing aids and/or cochlear implants, use of their devices is variable. Characteristics and communication needs of children with ASD vary significantly across individuals, and these factors may impact success with hearing technology. The purpose of this project was to investigate factors that influence hearing device use for these children, in particular how communication and reciprocal social interaction abilities, as measured by Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores, impact hearing device wear time. The retrospective review, capturing data from children (up to 21 years) diagnosed with ASD and permanent hearing loss at Boston Children’s Hospital, will include hearing device datalogging measures, ADOS scores, and other available data available in audiological and developmental medicine evaluations. Results will be discussed in the context of understanding what audiologic interventions have been most successful for children who are D/HH with ASD and how the characteristics of a child’s ASD may impact success with hearing technology, guiding audiologists in providing appropriate care to this population.
- Participants will be able to identify the types of audiologic interventions recommended for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH).
- Participants will be able to explain the relationship between Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores and hearing device wear time for children with ASD who are D/HH.
- Participants will be able to list variables that may have an effect on hearing device use for children with ASD.
Poster:
3353554_15009DerekStiles.pdf
3353554_15009MeredithBraza.pdf
Presenter: Meredith Braza
Meredith Braza is a Doctor of Audiology candidate at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is currently completing her externship at Boston Children's Hospital.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Katherine Lynch is a Doctor of Audiology candidate at Central Michigan University. She is currently completing her externship at Boston Children's Hospital.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Krystina Schultz is a Doctor of Audiology candidate at Vanderbilt University. She is currently completing her externship at Boston Children's Hospital.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Derek Stiles has been Director of Audiology at Boston Children's Hospital since 2014, and Director of the Center for Communication Enhancement since 2021. He leads a team of 30 audiologists, serving 20,000 patients a year across 6 clinical sites in Eastern Massachusetts. He also oversees the directors of the SLP, Feeding & Swallowing, Augmentative Communication, Autism Language, Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing, and Balance Programs at Boston Children's Hospital.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment,Management position from Boston Children's Hospital.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Amanda Griffin is the Director of Audiology Research at Boston Children's Hospital and an Instructor of Otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Boston Children's Hospital.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.