Use of filtered US during VRA V1.3
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The use of filtered unconventional stimuli (US) during visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA)
IRAS ID
310507
Contact name
Samuel Ballantine
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea Bay University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
This pilot study from the Swansea Bay University Health Board Paediatric Audiology Department compares the usefulness of conventional sounds with unconventional sounds in a paediatric hearing test called visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA). The patients can undergo an optional extended hearing test where we compare VRA sound effectiveness.
VRA normally uses several different pitch-specific sounds called ‘warble tones’ to assess the hearing of children between the ages of 5-7 months and 3 years old. Pitch-specific sounds allow audiologists to assess which parts of speech children could be missing. VRA uses a clinical technique whereby the child learns to turn their head towards the source of the sounds because they receive a visual reward by doing so correctly e.g., a cartoon on a screen. The tester can then change the volume of the sounds to see how quietly they can be made before the child stops turning, therefore obtaining a minimum response level (MRL) for each pitch.
Recent anecdotal reports are of an increase in the number of children who do not cooperate with VRA. The reason for this increase is unknown. Normally, cooperation depends on factors such as the child’s level of development, wakefulness and interest in the sounds. A clinical review of VRA effectiveness over three months found that the inclusion of pitch-specific sound clips from popular children’s television theme tunes increased the likelihood of obtaining MRLs from 50% to 77%, indicating the potential advantages of using unconventional sounds.
This research will investigate whether VRA is more successful using unconventional sounds than conventional ‘warble tones’. This is important because the findings could help to improve VRA, especially for patients who are usually uncooperative. Future improvements could allow for better management of children’s hearing, e.g., by providing hearing aids for those who need them sooner to aid their speech and development.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0090
Date of REC Opinion
15 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion