Temporal Processing and Literacy Skills in Children With Hearing Aids

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between temporal processing and literacy performance in children with hearing aids.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

If the study confirms a significant link between temporal auditory processing and literacy in hearing-aid users, audiologists should consider whether auditory processing assessments are being routinely incorporated into paediatric hearing aid management, particularly for children showing literacy difficulties.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Understanding the relationship between temporal auditory processing and literacy in children with hearing aids could inform more holistic management strategies that bridge audiology and educational outcomes.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Study examines temporal auditory processing (the ability to detect timing differences in sounds) and literacy in children with hearing aids.
02Published in Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools (LSHSS; DOI: 10.1044/2026_LSHSS-25-00225).
03Findings could have implications for paediatric audiological assessment and school support referrals.
04Hearing aid users may still experience auditory processing difficulties that affect reading and writing.
05Study population is children — relevant to paediatric audiologists and educational audiologists.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Temporal auditory processing ability is associated with literacy performance in children who use hearing aids.

studyunclear

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42372307
DOI: 10.1044/2026_LSHSS-25-00225.
Journal: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 4
Population: Children with hearing loss who use hearing aids
Intervention: Temporal auditory processing assessment

Primary outcomes

Temporal auditory processing performance; Literacy skills (reading and/or spelling)

✦ Related stories ✦

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·5w ago

Early Auditory Stimulation, Not Device Type: Comparable Cortical Maturation in Children Using Cochlear Implants or Hearing Aids

Prioritise early auditory stimulation regardless of device type — timing of intervention appears more important than the choice between cochlear implant and hearing aid for cortical auditory maturation.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·4w ago

Quantifying Inner Ear Function in Children With a Diagnosis of Cancer: Assessment of Vestibular and Audiometric Function

Audiologists and oncology teams caring for pediatric cancer patients should routinely screen for vestibular impairment alongside audiometric monitoring, as this study suggests vestibular damage is an under-detected late effect of cancer treatment in children.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·7w ago

Ototoxicity Associated with Antineoplastic Agents in the Pediatric Population: An Evidence-Based Review of Auditory Monitoring Strategies and Contemporary Diagnostic Frameworks-Narrative Review

Audiologists managing pediatric oncology patients should apply evidence-based auditory monitoring protocols aligned with current diagnostic frameworks for platinum-based chemotherapy ototoxicity; this review consolidates existing guidance but does not introduce new...

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·3d ago

Avoiding Cisplatin-Related Hearing Loss, Including Implementing Sodium Thiosulfate as Otoprotectant Into Daily Pediatric Clinical Practice: Proceedings Based on Evidence and Expert Opinion From the Ototoxicity Taskforce of the SIOP Supportive Care Network

Audiologists and oncology teams treating pediatric cisplatin patients should be aware of SIOP Ototoxicity Taskforce guidance supporting sodium thiosulfate as an otoprotectant, and advocate for its integration into institutional chemotherapy protocols.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·6w ago

Newborn hearing screening in infants at risk of hearing loss: diagnostic outcomes, false-negative results, and the role of surveillance

Clinicians managing at-risk newborns should maintain structured audiological surveillance beyond initial screening, as false-negative rates indicate that a single screen is insufficient for this population.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·7d ago

Ototoxicity of a Single Fulminant Episode of Acute Otitis Media in Children: A Long-Term Follow-Up

Long-term cochlear and vestibular follow-up after fulminant acute otitis media in children is warranted; audiologists should be aware that even a single severe episode may carry lasting inner-ear consequences requiring monitoring.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·10d ago

Impact of Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss on Quality of Life in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Audiologists working with pediatric oncology patients should prioritize hearing monitoring during and after cisplatin treatment and proactively address rehabilitation needs, as irreversible hearing loss demonstrably impairs survivors' quality of life.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·6d ago

Practice and challenges of newborn hearing screening: analysis of a five-year database in Italy

Audiologists and program managers running newborn hearing screening services should review Italy's five-year findings for benchmarking referral, follow-up loss-to-follow-up rates, and early intervention timelines, though local protocol changes depend on how results compare to...