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10/26/2019  |   1:00 PM - 2:15 PM   |  Ventana Ballroom C

Implementation of hearing screenings, diagnostics, and treatement of hearing loss for people with intellectual disabilities in their life environment

The prevalence of hearing loss in people with intellectual disabilities (ID) is significantly higher than in the general population and is around 25% in younger and middle-aged adulthood. These people rarely seek help on their own. The majority of their hearing losses are not or inadequately treated. National and international guidelines have been developed calling for regular hearing screenings for people with ID, but such screenings have not yet been implemented to a greater extent. In a German project involving 120 people with ID, several audiometric methods were tested in a sheltered workshop to determine their suitability and reliability for use in the living environment of people with ID. Two tone audiometric and two speech audiometric methods proved to be most valid. Suitable objective methods were impedance audiometry, TEOAE and - with some limitations - DPOAE growth functions. In a project funded by the German government, hearing screenings are now being conducted on 1050 people with ID in their family homes or homes for the disabled, sheltered workshops or workplaces, special schools, and kindergartens. If screenings are failed, an immediate diagnosis follows. If possible, therapy is carried out directly on site, for example removal of cerumen, medication, or fitting with hearing aids. If no on-site treatment is possible, people will be referred to an ENT clinic. After one year a re-evaluation takes place. If this procedure proves successful, it will be introduced in Germany as a new form of medical care and financed by the health insurance funds. We assume that the implementation of a program of systematic hearing screening, diagnosis, therapy initiation, and long-term monitoring in the living environment of people with ID is feasible and results in a better reduction of untreated or inadequately treated hearing loss in this underprivileged population than so far.

• People with intellectual disabilities are at much higher risk of hearing loss than non-disabled people.
• Most hearing losses of people with intellectual disabilities are not or inadequately treated.
• Screening, diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss in people with intellectual disabilities can be carried out in their everyday environment.

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Katrin Neumann (POC,Primary Presenter,Author), University of Bochum, Germany, Katrin.Neumann@rub.de;
Prof. Katrin Neumann is Head of the Dept. of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology and of Cochlear Implant Center (Children) at the University of Bochum, Germany. She chairs the Technical Access Committee of the Coalition on Global Hearing Health. She contributes to the work of the Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Impairment Team of the WHO as a member of the WHO Expert Advisory Board. She is associate editor of several international journals, received national and international awards, and published more than 190 original articles, monographies, and book chapters. Her research focuses are: implementation of newborn hearing screening, language screening, and CMV screening programs for children, examination of speech, language, and hearing processes with neuroimaging techniques, voice physiology and pathology, nature and treatment of stuttering, singer´s voice, diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation of children with hearing aids and implants.

ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.

AAA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.