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Masters Degrees (Audiology)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6729

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Audiology) by Author "Joseph, Lavanithum."

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    An audiological and genetic profile of hearing of learners suspected of familial hearing loss attending schools for the deaf in KwaZulu-Natal.
    (2017) Pillay, Karen.; Joseph, Lavanithum.; Aldous, Arnolg Clifford.
    This study focused on genetic familial hearing loss, concentrating on learners attending schools for the Deaf in Kwazulu Natal .The study sought to identify the audiological profile characteristics of suspected genetic familial hearing loss in the learners and their family members with hearing loss. Currently there is a scarcity of research in the area of genetics and hearing loss in South Africa. The study aimed at providing both an audiological and genetic profile of familial hearing loss of learners with a history of hearing loss in the family. A quantitative multicase study research design was chosen. Participants were identified based on a positive family history of hearing loss in learner records and the referral from the school Audiologists. An audiological assessment and family pedigree was conducted on affected learners and their families who volunteered to participate in the research. The study sample consisted of 40 learners from 25 families with 70 affected participants who underwent audiological assessments and a family pedigree analysis, of which 31 were male and 39 were female. The pedigree analysis of the 25 families also presented 417 individuals who were reported to have normal hearing and 20 individuals with a reported hearing loss that were unable to undergo audiological testing in the study. The study identified an autosomal dominant inheritance present in 32% (8) of families an autosomal recessive inheritance in 56% (14) and a presumed co-incidental familial hearing loss in 12% (3) of families. The audiological and genetic profile of families within the study, revealed significant differences between the profile of autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive hearing loss. The autosomal recessive group revealed a profile of hearing loss that was predominately congenital, prelingual, sensorineural, severe to profound in severity and flat in configuration. The autosomal dominant inheritance revealed a profile that was both prelingual and postlingual in onset with a moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss and a sloping configuration. The results of the study are supported by other studies with regard to the description and auditory profile differences of autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant hearing loss. An understanding of the audiometric profiles of genetic familial hearing loss, will be useful to health professionals when assessing and managing these families with a history of hearing loss. It is believed that a standard method of profiling genetic familial hearing loss and the use of a family pedigree analysis, would be beneficial to professionals who encounter families with hearing loss. The role of the multidisciplinary team which includes Audiologists, geneticists and genetic counsellors in the family with a familial hearing loss are invaluable. This study provided data on the current incidence of genetic familial hearing loss at schools for the deaf in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. It is expected that with the advancement of research in the area of genetic familial hearing loss, an increase in professionals in the field of genetics such as geneticists and genetic counsellors will be available.
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    An audiological profile of school aged children with HIV/AIDS at an antiretroviral clinic in KwaZulu-Natal.
    Peter, Vuyelwa Zandile.; Joseph, Lavanithum.; Paken, Jessica.
    There is limited research on hearing loss in the paediatric population infected with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. There is a need to establish an audiological profile in HIV infected children, as the prevalence of hearing loss is not known and there is limited published research available. This information will assist the audiologist to ascertain the extent of the disorder, establish a profile of hearing loss using hearing loss type, degree, configuration and symmetry, and dictate the necessary audiological and medical management strategies required. The aim of the study was to determine the audiological profile of school age children with HIV/AIDS at an antiretroviral clinic in KwaZulu-Natal. The study had the following objectives: To describe the prevalence and nature of hearing loss in terms of degree, type, configuration and symetry. To determine whether children with a hearing loss have received medical management and the type of treatment receive and to determine whether children with a hearing loss have received audiological management for their hearing loss and the nature of these interventions. This was achieved through a non-experimental descriptive exploratory design. The research was carried out at the Philani Family Clinic which is an ARV clinic at King Edward VIII hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 30 participants aged between 6-12 years. Seventeen (60%) participants were males and 13 (40%) were females. The participants underwent diagnostic audiological evaluation, which included a case history questionnaire, medical record review, otoscopic examination, immittance audiometry, pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, Distortion Product Otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and a neurological Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test. The results revealed, abnormal otoscopic findings in the right ear of 17 (57%) participants and the left ear of 19 (63%) participants. Tympanometry results revealed abnormal tympanograms in the right ear of 13 (43%) participants and the left ear of 12 (40%) participants. Ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds were abnormal in the right ear of 8 (27%) participants and in the left ear of 7 (24%) participants. Contra lateral acoustic reflex thresholds were abnormal in the right ear of 13 (44%) participants and in the left ear of 12 (40%) participants. Of the 28 participants assessed for pure tone audiometry, 15 (54%) presented with normal hearing in the right ear and 13 (46%) presented with normal hearing in the left ear. Conductive hearing loss was the most prevalent type of hearing loss, followed by sensorineural hearing loss and mixed hearing loss. Good SRT-PTA correlation was obtained in majority of the participants, indicating good test reliability. Only 18 participants underwent DPOAE testing and pass results were obtained in the right ear of 15 (50%) participants and the left ear of 12 (40%) participants. The ABR results revealed auditory dysfunction suggestive of neural dysnchrony. Seventeen (43%) participants reported a history of ear infections with 15 (50%) participants reporting having receiving medical attention for ear infections. Three (10%) participants were fitted with hearing aids. Fourteen (46%) participants reported to have repeated a school grade. Fifteen (50%) participants reported not coping academically. Study limitations included time constraints to conduct a more in depth protocol. A small sample size limited generalisation to the entire population under study. The study concluded that there was a prevalence of 53% hearing loss among children with HIV/AIDS. Therefore, the prevalence of hearing loss requires the expertise of the audiologist in the multi-disciplinary team, to both monitor and manage hearing loss and thereby improve quality of life of children with compromised immune systems . “It is always seems impossible until it is done” Nelson Mandela
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    Counselling of adults who need amplification : practices of South African audiologists.
    (2014) Ratanjee, Husmita Narendra.; Joseph, Lavanithum.
    This study focused on adult rehabilitative audiology, in particular the counseling offered to adults who require hearing aids; and examined the practices and views of South African Audiologists. Counseling within the audiology profession has gained increased attention over the years as the profession has evolved with the technological advancements of modern hearing aids. On a global scale the educational qualification as well as curriculum has shifted in recent years. The current practises of counseling adults, who need amplification, needs to be understood more widely in South Africa and these topics were investigated in this research, with the purpose of highlighting and influencing best practice. The barriers faced by audiologists need to be better understood in order to improve service delivery and to look at curriculum needs of the new graduating students of the profession. The study reviews literature available regarding the scope of audiology practise, and the challenges faced by adult clients acquiring hearing amplification. The aim of the study was to describe the current practice of audiologists who counsel adult clients who require amplification by focusing on the nature and scope of services offered and the perceptions of factors affecting practice within the South African context. An online descriptive survey was selected as the research design. Information was gathered on the educational and clinical background, current practise, skills and challenges audiologists faced in dealing with the complex task of counseling adult clients with acquired hearing loss. The study sample consisted of 152 participants of which 148 (97%) were female and 4 (3%) were male. All practitioners were registered with either of the two professional audiology associations, the South African Association of Audiologists (SAAA) and the South African Speech Language and Hearing Association (SASLHA). The majority of participants were qualified as Speech Therapists and Audiologists, and worked in the private sector. The results revealed that Audiologists spend more time on informational counseling than rational acceptance or adjustment counseling. They also reported more time spent on counseling the client only rather than the client and significant other. The majority spent up to 15 minutes on counseling, and tended to offer counseling mostly after audiological evaluation and during hearing aid fitting and evaluation. Even though audiologists rated their skills in counseling high, especially for informational counseling and adjustment counseling, the majority of the participants indicated the need to improve their counseling skills to serve adult clients who need hearing aids. The results have valuable clinical implications for the rendering of adult rehabilitative audiological services in South Africa by incorporating more focus on counseling within the curricula of audiology training and by offering courses to qualified professionals to increase knowledge and skills in the area of counseling. Another implication is the need for supervision during clinical training of audiology students in order to develop skills in informational, rational acceptance and adjustment counseling.
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    Young adults' awareness and experience of tinnitus : a survey of a sample of students at a University of KwaZulu-Natal.
    (2014) Bagwandin, Vedika Vimaldev Premdutt.; Joseph, Lavanithum.
    The focus of this study was the awareness and experience of tinnitus in young adults. Historically, most literature focused on tinnitus in the older population group. However, recent studies have revealed that tinnitus has become more prevalent in young adults. This has resulted in an increased interest and need for research regarding tinnitus in this young age group. Current studies have raised awareness that young adults are at risk of acquiring tinnitus because of their exposure to causes such as excessive noise. However, despite this risk young adults seem to still continue in risk-taking behaviours because of social norms and the lack of awareness of tinnitus. Thus the aim of this study was to describe young adults’ awareness and experience of tinnitus with regards to their awareness of the existence, causes, effects and management of tinnitus. A descriptive study design was employed. A purposive sampling method was used. The study sample consisted of 75 university students who volunteered to take part in the study. Participant’s age range was between 18 and 30 years. Participants were required to complete an online survey, developed by the researcher, which they accessed from the university notice system. The results obtained revealed that the majority (69.23%) of participants were not aware of tinnitus. Most of the participants did not know about the causes or effects of tinnitus. Only a few participants experienced tinnitus; 10 (13.89%) participants experienced it themselves and 9 (12.50%) participants knew someone who suffered from tinnitus. The majority of the participants requested further information about tinnitus. These results have implications for health care professionals who need to be aware of the rising prevalence of tinnitus in the young adult population. This will impact on the manner in which audiologists approach young adults with regards to assessment and management. Awareness programmes about the association of noise to tinnitus, and its implications should be fostered through promotion programmes.