Sensory Processing and Children with Hearing Loss

CQI Project for 2007-2009

Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center

Pediatric OT and Mama Lere Hearing School

Research Question

• Are there specific trends in sensory processing, as determined by the Sensory Profile, in children ages 3-7 years of age with hearing loss who attend the Mama Lere Hearing School at Vanderbilt?

Procedure/Process/Methodology

• An initial literature review was conducted and research question formulated. Permission for the study was obtained through the IRB as well as permission to continue the project for the second year.

• Consenting parents of the convenience sample of children between 2 and 7 years of age who attend the Mama Lere Hearing School at Vanderbilt completed a survey of sensory responses, the Sensory Profile. These surveys were scored and additional medical background information was collected which included medical history, cause (if known) of hearing loss, onset of hearing loss, correction for hearing loss, other co-existing diagnoses and medications that the child currently is prescribed. Data was collected at the beginning of 2 consecutive school years.

• Using descriptive statistical analysis, score trends were determined and comparisons were made of children’s scores in various areas of sensory processing and with medical complexity of their histories

Data Analysis

• Thirteen participants returned packets over the 2 data collection periods (more than 40 families’ participation was solicited)

• Twelve were able to be used (one was eliminated due to incomplete filling in of Sensory Profile)

• Descriptive analysis of data completed; sample size too small to draw statistically significant conclusions.

Figure 1

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12Subjects

Frequency of "Definite Difference" Scoresn=12

Tactile Processing Scores

33%

8%

59%

Definite Difference:>2 SD from mean

ProbableDifference: 1-2 SDfrom meanTypical: <1 SD frommean

Figure 2n = 12

Vestibular Processing Scores

20%

20%60%

DefiniteDifference: >2SD from meanProbableDifference: 1-2SD from meanTypical: <1 SDfrom mean

Figure 3n = 12

Oral Sensory Processing

30%

20%

50%

DefiniteDifference: >2SD from meanProbableDifference: 1-2SD from meanTypical: <1 SDfrom mean

Figure 4n = 12

Recommendations

• Sensory Profiles will become part of the entry testing that is completed on all students at the beginning of each school year.

• Education of staff and families will become an integral part of in-service and training efforts.

• Further study will be possible using retrospective data analysis on a larger sample of children with mild to profound hearing loss in the future. Consider multi-site study.

Acknowledgements

• Thanks to all of the staff who participated in the project over the 2 years:

Vicki Scala, MS, OTR/L (lead)

Elizabeth Murillo, MS, OTR/L

Robin Hammond, BS, OTR/L

Katy Dieckhaus, MS, OTR/L

Heather Kavanaugh Winters, OTD, OTR/L

Tamala Bradham, PhD, Aud

Geneine Snell, MS, SLP