From the 15th to the 27th of September we welcomed Mr Motegi (PhD in Disability Sciences) from Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. Mr Motegi conducts research in special needs education for d/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children, primarily focusing on literacy development and school adjustment in mainstream schools. During his stay, Mr Motegi gave a lecture entitled “Current educational situation and challenges in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children in Japan”.

Together, we visited educational, clinical and rehabilitative institutions in Essen and the surrounding area and discussed the similarities and differences between d/Deaf education in Japan and Germany. We would like to thank Mr Motegi for the stimulating and exciting exchange! You are always welcome to visit us again in Essen.

World Hearing Day 2025 (3 march) - A high prevalence of undetected hearing loss in people with intellectual disabilities requires hearing screening, diagnosis, and intervention programs

Webinar: https://isa-audiology.org/news/events

This webinar aims to change mindsets about hearing care for people with intellectual disabilities. They are more likely than the general population to have hearing loss, which usually goes undetected and untreated. 

Mehr lesen

A German population-based study investigated the effectiveness and feasibility of an outreach program with repeated hearing screenings, diagnoses and interventions in 1052 people with intellectual disabilities in their living environment (kindergartens, schools, homes, workplaces). Hearing loss was diagnosed in 42% of cases, 68% of which were previously unknown. Hospital invitations for the same procedure in a control cohort were not accepted. Certain comorbidities, e.g. hypertension, frequently co-occurred with hearing loss. Its severity correlated significantly with hearing-related quality of life, but recommended therapies were poorly implemented. Regular outreach programs are feasible, useful and can improve the social participation of people with hearing loss. However, hearing rehabilitation with communication training for those affected involving their caregivers is crucial for success.

Program

Prof. Katrin Neumann, M.D.
Hearing screening, diagnostic, and intervention programs for people with intellectual disabilities – why and how?

Philipp Mathmann, M.D.     
Outcome of a population-based study on the effectiveness and feasibility of regular hearing screening, diagnostics, and intervention programs for people with intellectual disabilities in their living environment.

People with intellectual disability and …

…hearing screening and diagnostic methods                 Lucas Prein, M.Sc.        

…treatment with hearing aids                                                 Nils Vogt, B.Pro.

…hearing rehabilitation                                                             Prof. Karolin Schäfer, Ph.D.

…hearing-related quality of life                                              Susanna Zielonkowski, cand. med.

…hearing loss-associated comorbidities                          Awa Naghipour, M.D.

…hearing assessment in a clinical setting                        Anna Wiegand, M.D.

…hearing intervention in a clinical setting                        Anna-Sophia Schwalen, M.D.

Needs and call for action                                                          Prof. Katrin Neumann, M.D.