Computer-Based Auditory Training Programs forChildren with Hearing Impairment–AScopingReview

Abstract

IntroductionCommunication breakdown, a consequence of hearing impairment(HI), is being fought byfitting amplification devices and providing auditory trainingsince the inception of audiology. The advances in both audiology and rehabilitationprograms have led to the advent of computer-based auditory training programs(CBATPs).ObjectiveTo review the existing literature documenting the evidence-based CBATPsfor children with HIs. Since there was only one such article, we also chose to review thecommercially available CBATPs for childrenwithHI.Thestrengthsandweaknessesofthe existing literature were reviewed in order to improve further researches.Data SynthesisGoogle Scholar and PubMed databases were searched using variouscombinations of keywords. The participant, intervention, control, outcome and studydesign (PICOS) criteria were used for the inclusion of articles. Out of 124 articleabstracts reviewed, 5 studies were shortlisted for detailed reading. One among themsatisfied all the criteria, and was taken for review. The commercially available programswere chosen based on an extensive search in Google. The reviewed article was well-structured, with appropriate outcomes. The commercially available programs covermany aspects of the auditory training through a wide range of stimuli and activities.ConclusionsThere is a dire need for extensive research to be performed in thefield ofCBATPs to establish their efficacy, also to establish them as evidence-based practices.