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Several studies report that sound localization performance of acute and chronic monauralized normal-hearing listeners can improve through training. Typically, training sessions are administered daily for several days or weeks. While this intensive training is effective, it may also be that monaural localization abilities improve instantly after providing explicit top-down information about the direction dependent change in timbre and level. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether cognitive feedback (i.e., top-down information) could instantly improve sound localization in naive acutely monauralized listeners. Forty-three normal-hearing listeners (experimental group), divided over five different centers, were tested. Two control groups, consisting of, respectively, nine and eleven normal-hearing listeners, were tested in one center. Broadband sounds (0.5-20 kHz) were presented from visible loudspeakers, positioned in azimuth (- 90° to 90°). Participants in the experimental group received explicit information about the noticeable difference in timbre and the poor localization in the monauralized listening condition, resulting in an instant improvement in sound localization abilities. With subsequent roving of stimulus level (20 dB), sound localization performance deteriorated immediately. The reported improvement is related to the context of the localization test. The results provide important implications for studies investigating sound localization in a clinical setting, especially during closed-set testing, and indicate the importance of top-down information. ispartof: Experimental Brain Research vol:240 issue:5 pages:1357-1369 ispartof: location:Germany status: published

Objectives To examine auditory, linguistic and cognitive outcomes of children with single sided deafness (SSD). An increasing body of research suggests that children with SSD lag behind with respect to their normal hearing (NH) peers. In the present study we tap into certain developmental skills. Design Case–control study. Participants 21 children with SSD between 5 and 15 years of age participated. Per child with SSD two NH control children were matched on age and gender. Outcome measures Morphology, syntax and vocabulary were examined and performance was assessed in depth by focusing on sub skills and type of errors made. Furthermore, tests of short term and working memory were conducted and aspects of hearing disability were assessed by means of the speech spatial and qualities of hearing questionnaire (SSQ). Main results The children with SSD lagged behind in their scores on the three language tests and showed some differences to the NH group concerning type of errors and difficulty of the several subskills. Furthermore, scores on the SSQ indicated that in daily life, the children with SSD experience problems in spatial hearing and in understanding speech in noisy situations, and that the effort they have to put into listening and in understanding speech is considerably greater than in NH children. Conclusions The present study showed differences between children with SSD and NH children on several language skills and on auditory behavior. Possibly, early intervention could prevent such language difficulties and minimize problems with spatial hearing and speech understanding. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The estimated incidence of sensorineural hearing impairment (>40 dB HL) at birth is 1.86 per 1000 newborns in developed countries and 30-40% of these are unilateral. Profound sensorineural unilateral hearing impairment or single sided deafness (SSD) can be treated with a cochlear implant. However, this treatment is costly and invasive and unnecessary in the eyes of many. Very young children with SSD often do not exhibit language and cognitive delays and it is hard to imagine that neurocognitive skills will present difficulties with one good ear. In the current paper we review the most recent evidence on the consequences of unilateral hearing impairment for auditory and neurocognitive factors. While data of both adults and children are discussed, we focus on developmental factors, congenital deafness and a window of opportunity for intervention. We discuss which etiologies qualify for a cochlear implant and present our multi-center prospective study on cochlear implants in infants with one deaf ear. The large, state-of-the art body of research allows for evidence-based decisions regarding management of unilateral hearing loss in children. ispartof: Hearing Research vol:7501 pages:29-29 ispartof: location:Netherlands status: published