Speech Recognition, Language Development and Auditory Management in Children with Unilateral Hearing Loss

The speech recognition ability in children with unilateral hearing loss is similar to that in age-matched children with normal hearing in quiet and slightly noisy environments. However, in noisy environments, such as in working classrooms, children with unilateral hearing loss show reduced hearing ability as compared to children with normal hearing. An FM system, consisting of a microphone worn by the teacher and a receiver fitted in the normal ear of students with unilateral hearing impairment, is used in school classrooms. The FM receiver fitted into the normal hearing ear was shown to improve the speech recognition ability of children with unilateral hearing loss in noisy environments. Use of the FM system is recommended as an audiological management tool to overcome the listening difficulties of children with unilateral hearing loss in noisy school classrooms.