2025 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 9-11, 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA
DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER
| Co-Occurrence of Hearing Loss and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Exploring Cochlear Implantation Outcomes in the ASD Population
Co-Occurrence of Hearing Loss and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Exploring Cochlear Implantation Outcomes in the ASD Population
Co-Occurrence of Hearing Loss and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Exploring Cochlear Implantation Outcomes in the ASD Population
Authors: Alexis Remshak, B.S.
Affiliations: Kennedy Krieger Institute Audiology Department and Northwestern University
Presenter: Alexis Remshak, B.S.
Despite the established advantages of cochlear implants (CIs) for the pediatric population, individual outcomes continue to show considerable variation. One reason for variable outcomes is the presence of comorbid diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). About 1 in 36 children receive a diagnosis of ASD according to the most recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate provided by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Children with ASD have been reported to have higher prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) than children without ASD. However, given the inherent communication, language, and central auditory processing challenges often associated with ASD, the evaluation of CI candidacy and the assessment of post-implantation outcomes in this population present unique clinical considerations. Additionally, hearing impairments may be misdiagnosed in individuals with ASD due to diagnostic overshadowing, in that behavioral manifestations of hearing loss are mistakenly attributed to common characteristics of ASD such as inattention, inconsistent responses to environmental sounds and their names, speech delay, and avoidance of eye contact. To date, there is limited research available on the benefit of cochlear implantation in this population.
The primary objective of this literature review is to evaluate the current research available on CI outcomes in the ASD population to determine the effectiveness of CIs on improving communication and language skills in individuals with ASD. Ideal learner outcomes include understanding CI candidacy criteria in the ASD population, identify factors contributing to diagnostic overshadowing between hearing loss and ASD, and current recommendations for measuring CI outcomes in the ASD population.
- Understanding CI candidacy criteria in the ASD population.
- Identify factors contributing to diagnostic overshadowing between hearing loss and ASD.
- Current recommendations for measuring CI outcomes in the ASD population.
Presentation:
3545975_18345AlexisRemshak.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Alexis Remshak
(Primary Presenter,Author), remshak@kennedykrieger.org;
Alexis Remshak is a current AuD student at Northwestern University completing her externship as a LEND trainee at Kennedy Krieger Insitute in Baltimore, MD. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Kentucky where she received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her clinical interests include diagnostic evaluations, cochlear implants, and increasing access to hearing healthcare and early intervention services in the pediatric population.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Amy Gaskin
(Co-Author), Kennedy Krieger Institute, Gaskin@kennedykrieger.org;
Amy is the Director of Audiology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She has worked as a pediatric audiologist for over 20 years. She received a B.S. in Hearing and Speech Science from Towson University and an M.A. in Audiology at the University of Maryland. She also received an Au.D. from Arizona School for Health Sciences.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
Sarah Ellis
(Co-Author), Albert Einstein College of Medicine , ellissa@kennedykrieger.org;
Sarah Ellis is a pediatric audiologist and preceptor for audiology trainees at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD. She is a graduate of the Au.D. program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Holly Duncan
(Co-Author), kennedy krieger institute, duncanh@kennedykrieger.org;
Holly Duncan is a pediatric audiologist and preceptor at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD. She has been a pediatric audiologist for 7.5 years. Holly is a 2014 audiology graduate of Gallaudet University. In addition, Holly has a bachelors degree in Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education and Elementary Education.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -