2011 Volume 54 Issue 3 Pages 197-207
Abstract: From among the tests recommended in a guideline (2008) for evaluating the functions of a hearing aid, we conducted speech discrimination tests, calculated acoustic gain and aided HTL by frequency response and audiogram, and measured aided HTL in the sound field, together with observing the behavior in classroom and daily life for profoundly hearing-impaired young children aged between 3 and 5 years of age. Then, we discussed the appropriate ages, contents, methods and points to be considered in these tests. Our results suggested the following. 1) In the case of profoundly hearing-impaired young children, we could, to some degree, conduct tests for evaluating the functions of a hearing aid at the age of 3, and in more profoundly hearing-impaired cases, the tests could be conducted at the age of 5. 2) The speech recognition tests should be conducted after a specified period of auditory and language training, and the methods of stimulus presentation, response, involvement, and feedback, and the difficulty level of the tasks in these tests had to be adjusted according to the child's age, speech and language ability, and also the motivation and attitude toward the tests. 3) In the case of more profoundly hearing-impaired young children with, or suspected to have, developmental disorder, individual support adapted to the characteristics of the developmental disorder, developmental delay of speech perception and language, and emotional and psychological problems had to be provided in addition to the above-mentioned adjustments.