ASHA Learning Pass

Anecdotal data indicate that children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) demonstrate decreased hearing aid (HA) use when they reach adolescence; however, empirical data on factors that influence HA use in adolescence is lacking. Furthermore, targeting self-advocacy skills may promote the use of hearing technology in adolescence. The Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss Consortium is a multi-center study that explores service provision in children who are DHH.

The primary aim of this session is to describe predictors of HA use time for adolescents. Additional aims include describing activities that target self-advocacy in adolescents who are DHH. The long-term goal is to identify challenges to device use in adolescents who are DHH and improve self-advocacy skills.

This session was recorded at the 2023 ASHA Convention in Boston (session 1085).

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Describe variables that predict average hearing aid usage in adolescents
• Formulate therapy goals related to self-advocacy
• Describe the impact and importance of addressing social-emotional comorbidities of a hearing loss with pediatric clients

Presenter Information

Meaghan Foody, MS, CCC-SLP (presenting author) is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Iowa in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders as well as the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Her primary area of interest is aural rehabilitation across the lifespan and the development of graduate student clinicians to be prepared to participate in interdisciplinary care of patients.

Disclosures:

• Salaried full-time employee at the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Elizabeth Walker, PhD, CCC-A/SLP (presenting author) is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Iowa and the Director of the Pediatric Audiology Laboratory. Her NIH-funded research focuses on pediatric audiology, specifically examining malleable factors that support listening and language outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Disclosures:

• ASHA Convention registration waiver 
• Grant funding from NIH 

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete the learning assessment by April 21, 2030.

Program History and CE Information

Content origination date: November 2023
End date: April 21, 2030.