FM systems on children with Auditory Processing Disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effects of Frequency Modulation (FM) assistive listening device systems on listening and related skills in children with Auditory Processing Disorders (APD)
IRAS ID
154341
Contact name
Doris-Eva Bamiou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2014/06/06, Data Protection Reference number
Research summary
Title: The effects of FM systems on listening skills and related skills (auditory memory and attention) in children, aged 8-11, with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a disorder where the functions of the ear (outer, middle, inner) are normal but the person has difficulty identifying or discriminating sounds (Dawes & Bishop, 2009) and experiences listening difficulties in noise. Personal Frequency Modulation (FM) systems are wireless listening devices that pick up the speaker’s voice and transmit it to a receiver in the listener’s ear. In this way, the negative effects of ambient noise, distance from speaker and reverberation are reduced (Keith & Purdy, 2014).
The principal research question is whether FM systems improve auditory attention and auditory memory in children with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Additionally, the link between possible improvements in memory and attention and improvements in auditory electrophysiology (i.e. tests that record the brain’s activity) and speech in noise perception (without the aid of the FM system) will be examined. We hypothesize that the FM system will lead to improved auditory electrophysiology and speech in noise perception (unaided) and that they will be responsible for the observed auditory attention/ memory benefits after prolonged FM use.
Thirty two (32) children with a diagnosis of an APD from the Great Ormond Street Hospital Audiology clinic will be recruited. The children need to fulfil the following criteria:• APD diagnosis
• Age range 8-11 years
• Normal IQ
• No neurological problems.The research is being funded as a PhD studentship by GN Resound (Company sponsor) and UCL Impact award.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1509
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion