Introduction to the Longitudinal Outcomes of Children with Hearing Impairment (LOCHI) study: Background, design, sample characteristics. (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ching, Teresa Y. C.; Leigh, Greg; Dillon, Harvey
• Is Part Of: International journal of audiology. Volume 52:(2013)Supplement 2
• Page Start: S4
• Page End: S9
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: Children with hearing loss -- outcomes -- early intervention -- universal newborn hearing screening; Audiology -- Periodicals; Hearing disorders -- Periodicals; Deafness -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Hearing Disorders -- Periodicals; Hearing -- Periodicals; 617.8
• DOI: 10.3109/14992027.2013.866342
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1499-2027

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This article describes the background and the design of the longitudinal outcomes of children with hearing impairment (LOCHI) study, and the characteristics of the study cohort. Design: Children born between 2002 and 2007 who were identified with hearing loss and received audiological intervention by 3 years of age in Australia enrolled in the study. Their demographic characteristics are described. Study sample: Four hundred and fifty-one children in New South Wales, Victoria, and Southern Queensland. Results: Data on age at first hearing-aid fitting for different degrees of hearing loss are reported together with demographic characteristics of the cohort. Conclusion: A unique environment in Australia where all children with varied access to universal newborn hearing screening received the same consistent hearing services from a national hearing service provider makes it possible to investigate the effects of access to early auditory intervention on children's outcomes at a population level.