OAR@UM Collection:

Recreational exposure to noise in second year Maltese university student nurses

2017-10-03T07:42:01Z

Title: Recreational exposure to noise in second year Maltese university student nurses Abstract: The aim of this research was to enhance the understanding of the perception and behaviour of the local second year diploma nursing students towards the exposure of recreational loud noise. The study population comprised of student nurses within the age range of 18-27 years which were subdivided in three groups, 18-19 years (n=18/33%), 20 -21 years (n=28/51%) and the 22 – 27 years (n=9/16%). The findings revealed that none of the participants ever used hearing protection devices in either of the exposed recreational environments. Results exhibited a rate of participant exposure to noisy occupational (67% male: 20% female) and recreational (77% male: 60% female) environments in the presence of parents or guardians. Additional results included that 65% of participants were exposed to fireworks, of which 31% were exposed at distances <150 meters. Other findings includes that 84% to personal media devices of which 46% reported of being exposed for more than one hour. Other, recreational noise exposure data revealed that 42% of participants were exposed to brass bands with 30% of respondents being exposed at distances of <1 meter and 26% were exposed to brass bands whilst smoking. No relationship was statistically supported at p –value of ≤ of 0.05 between the three levels of exposure and the mean binaural PTA thresholds for the exposed predicators (loud machinery, power tools, hunting guns and artillery, personal watercraft, power tools, motorcycles, loud music, listening to music through earphone and attendance to live concerts). Similarly, mean pure tone thresholds did not show a difference with a statistical strength of ≤ of 0.05 between the different age groups. This research provides an indicative measure on the awareness and perceptions towards noise exposure and protection of the purposive sample. It is perceived that it can be constructive and used as a stepping stone to highlight the need in embarking of a nationwide research programme to justify the need for one of the most challenging and rewarding tasks within the professional objectives of audiologist. This being a national hearing conservation programme initiated at the pre-natal phase with sessions integrated in antenatal parent craft programmes, neonatal hearing screening programmes and continuous educational programmes and campaigns addressing the needs of hearing conservation for the occupation as well as the recreational noise exposure. Prevention is better and cheaper than cure! Description: M.COMMUNICATION THERAPY

Auditory and language processing in children with language impairment

2017-07-20T10:48:37Z

Title: Auditory and language processing in children with language impairment Abstract: This research project looked into the auditory processing and language abilities in typically developing children (TD) and children having language impairment (LI) from ages 7;0 to 9;0 years. Language and auditory processing indirect and direct assessments, were used to derive a cross-sectional baseline of their language and auditory processing abilities. These were administered on a total of 22 participants, who were divided into sub-groups based on age and language ability. Descriptive statistics were derived for each subgroup’s performance on each measure used. The one-way ANOVA test was used to test, whether the two categorical and independent variables of age and language ability had a significant effect on assessment measures. Results showed, age to provide minimal statistical differences on the Sentence Imitation Task (SIT) and the Gaps in Noise test 3 (GIN). On the contrary, significant differences were highlighted on a good number of language and auditory processing measures, when sub-groups were compared based on the independent variable of language ability. Language and auditory processing measures were also tested for correlation using the Pearson Product Correlation Coefficient to identify any existing relationships being either positive or negative. Positive/negative and significant relationships were identified between the language measures themselves and between language and auditory processing assessments. Results were discussed in relation to published studies on auditory processing abilities in children having language impairment. Description: M.COMMUNICATION THERAPY

Auditory processing skills in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

2017-07-20T10:52:31Z

Title: Auditory processing skills in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Abstract: This study investigated the auditory processing skills of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when compared to the performance of Typically Developing (TD) children aged between the ages of 7;00 to 9;11. Direct and indirect assessments were used on the clinical group while the respective caregivers completed the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Test (ADHDT), Children's Auditory Processing Performance Scale (CHAPPS) and Questionnaire of (Central) Auditory Processing (QCAP). The methodology adopted was a quantitative one in which bivariate and multivariate statistics identified relationships between the two data sets, through use of parametric and non-parametric tests. The assessments were administered to a total of 30 children with ADHD. The performance on the psychometric assessment proved significant on 9 tasks from a total of 12. Children with ADHD encountered difficulties in auditory processing skills vis-à-vis the TD group. The parent ratings revealed that children with ADHD have listening behaviour difficulties that were significant throughout a number of statements from the questionnaires. The parent‟s perceptions revealed characteristics which indicate difficulties in a number of listening situations. Analysis of age and gender variables did not indicate a change in parents‟ rating throughout the analysis on the ADHDT and CHAPPS questionnaires. ADHD characteristics and listening behaviour measures from ADHDT and CHAPPS were also tested for correlations using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient to identify any relationship. The positive correlations found revealed an association on all subtests of both respective questionnaires. The results were discussed in the light of previous studies on auditory processing abilities in children having ADHD. Description: M.COMMUNICATION THERAPY

Comparison of hearing aid outcome measures in adult hearing aid users

2017-07-24T08:41:24Z

Title: Comparison of hearing aid outcome measures in adult hearing aid users Abstract: Hearing aid outcome measures have become an essential part of audiological intervention. This study aimed at exploring hearing aid benefit in Maltese hearing aid users through subjective and objective outcome measures. The PIBHA, a translated version of the APHAB questionnaire was used to examine subjective hearing aid benefit in 56 adult hearing aid users falling in the 20-60 age range. Twenty nine of these hearing aid users subsequently participated in two clinical tests to evaluate hearing aid benefit objectively. Real ear measurements and two non-word repetition tests; the Maltese Non Words in Quiet and the Maltese Non Words in Noise, were used in the study. Analysis aimed at identifying which factors are related to hearing aid benefit and to explore to what extent subjective perception of hearing aid benefit correlates with performance in non-word repetition testing and real ear measurements. Daily use was associated with gender and hearing aid type: Non-word repetition scores were correlated with scores on the PIBHA and with real ear measurements. Real ear measurements were not correlated to the self-report, PIBHA. Implications for including both subjective and objective measures in hearing aid fitting protocols are addressed. Description: M.COMMUNICATION THERAPY