Biomedical subjects

H Corbin

Publications and source records attributed to H Corbin.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1985

Issues in early identification of hearing loss.

In a general hospital, an early detection research program based on a high risk register and brain stem electric response audiometry (BERA) using click and frequency-specific stimuli identified 631 at-risk neonates from the well baby nursery and the neonatal intensive care nursery (ICN). BERA tests were done before discharge and four months later; comparison of outcomes revealed substantial discrepancies. From the follow-up test, 51 cases of mild to severe hearing loss were identified. Experience from the research program has raised some issues relevant for establishment of service programs. Evaluation of all babies (general nursery and ICN) is justified on the basis of yield but is resource consuming; strategies for minimizing work load are discussed. Risk factor criterion levels affect case loading and yield. Frequency-specific BERA identifies cases which would not be detected by click stimuli and which raise management questions. Deferral of testing to four months is feasible and desirable.

Apgar Score↗

PubMed1984

Effect of recent hearing aid improvements on management of the hearing impaired.

Recent developments in hearing aid technology and earmold acoustics have improved the outlook for the hearing impaired. Advances involving the electric microphone, integrated circuit, and earmold/hearing aid coupling system have affected such features as compression amplification, filtering, and frequency characteristics of the amplified signal at the eardrum. The resulting changes in hearing aid fitting approaches are described, including factors which are considered in such fittings as in-the-ear, binaural, CROS and BICROS, with examples of difficult cases. Hearing aids are then discussed in the context of a broader rehabilitation strategy.

Acoustics↗

PubMed1984

A neonatal hearing screening research program using brainstem electric response audiometry.

Results of brainstem electric response audiometry (BERA) for intensive care nursery graduates and babies from the general nursery are described. At-risk babies received both screening and more detailed BERA before hospital discharge. The latter test was repeated after four months. From 2,597 risk assessments, 421 were at risk and 379 have been tested. The specificity of 40 dB click screening is good, but its sensitivity is only moderate. Follow-up BERA detected 25 cases of hearing loss, 12 having moderate loss in at least one ear. Discrepancies between predischarge and follow-up tests occurred, especially for mild losses. There was substantial resolution of hearing loss, but also some emergent mild loss. These changes support BERA at about four months as the determinant of habilitation, as opposed to predischarge testing. Differences between click and frequency-specific BERA were found, suggesting that click evaluations alone are insufficient.

Audiometry↗

PubMed1983

An evaluation of BERA for hearing screening in high-risk neonates.

Brain stem electric response audiometry (BERA) is evaluated for early detection of hearing loss in high-risk newborns selected from a general hospital population. They receive screening BERA in the nursery and detailed frequency-specific BERA in the Audiology clinic, just before discharge. Three months later, testing is repeated and recommendations are made. From 1364 assessments, 321 at-risk babies were identified; 234 received predischarge tests, and 200 had follow-up tests. Screening BERA with 40 dB nHL clicks is appropriate in the nursery. Screening sensitivity is good, and only 8% of babies failed. Several of these had mild hearing loss, resolving in the first trimester. Follow-up BERA confirmed hearing loss in 8 babies. Parental compliance is high, and the program is well-accepted. In conjunction with the high-risk register, BERA is useful both for screening and for quantitative audiometry in the infant.

Audiometry↗

PubMed1983

A review of current approaches to aural rehabilitation.

Degree of hearing impairment is not directly related to hearing handicap or disability. Since the 1940s measures of peripheral auditory function have been the basis of hearing aid selection even though they provide no direct information on psychosocial, vocational, or educational handicap or disability or on rehabilitation needs. Rehabilitation beyond provision of the hearing aid has been limited and demands new approaches. The evolution of aural rehabilitation is based on the notion of its being an ongoing process, of communication as a behaviour which relies on the integration of many types of information, and of the individual as a total person with multi-faceted hearing needs.

Acoustics↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Aural rehabilitation in a teaching hospital: evaluation and results.

More than 1,000 hearing-impaired adults who underwent hearing aid evaluations in a teaching hospital were followed for a minimum of 1 year. Questionnaires, which included over 300 clinical items, were developed for computer entry by audiological staff. This data was analyzed to obtain demographic information about the population and the effectiveness of the intervention. The program was evaluated in terms of criteria ranging from simple compliance with the recommendation to purchase an aid, attendance at scheduled follow-up appointments, adequacy of the amplification system, patient competence in handling the aid, frequency and duration of aid use, and benefit in specific listening situations. It can be concluded that simple compliance figures overestimate program success. Even 1 year after purchase many patients still had practical difficulties with the aid, and use and benefit patterns were still developing. Directions for program change have been determined as measurement of success has been more critically defined and goals for rehabilitation have broadened.

Aged↗