Research into children's hearing
One of the main aims of our research programme is to help deaf children and their families.
All families living in England whose child is identified as having a hearing loss by newborn screening are being invited to take part in our major new study into the kind of early support that can lead to a better quality of life for deaf children and their families.
And one of our research projects is looking at the potential benefits to young children of being fitted with two cochlear implants.
Neonatal hearing screening research
Deafness Research UK has been at the forefront of screening technology for over a decade, developing the pioneering Oto-Acoustic Emissions testing methods which are now revolutionising screening programmes worldwide.
- In 1988, Deafness Research UK funded the development of the ILO88 otoacoustic emission analyser, a milestone in the development of screening technology.
- Deafness Research UK funded an early pilot of the new screening programme in Wessex. The results gained from this study were of great value in developing plans for a nationwide screening programme.
- Deafness Research UK supported the production of Guidelines on Best Practice to ensure that, as universal screening programmes are introduced across the UK, all families can expect the same high standards of service.
We are continuing our work to improve neonatal hearing screening, and our researchers are currently developing a test called the Maximum Length Sequence Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (MLS BAER) test for the early detection of deafness as a result of brain damage caused by oxygen starvation during birth. This form of deafness affects premature babies in particular, and cannot be detected early with conventional hearing tests for babies.
Auditory processing disorder research
Research is starting in many countries, including here in the UK. The results of these studies may help us to understand the disorder and provide better help for children identified with auditory processing disorder (APD).
Work is already being carried out to try to establish:
- a general method to screen for APD
- an appropriate set of tests to diagnose APD
- appropriate training for children identified with APD
- appropriate assistance for the children
When we have developed these, all clinics will be able to use them.
Deafness Research UK is currently funding a research project looking at possible links between APD and dyslexia, and we have also recently awarded a grant for a research project aiming to develop more accurate diagnostic tests.
Genetic research
Currently we have Deafness Research UK research teams undertaking research into genetic disorders that lead to deafness. One team is working on Branchio-Oto-Renal Syndrome (BOR), caused by a mutation in the gene EYA1. The research will aim to identify other genes that interact with EYA1, which potentially cause other deafness syndromes, and that may also be potential targets for treatment of BOR.
Another team part funded by Deafness Research UK is working on a national study into Usher Syndrome, the major cause of deaf-blindness in the UK. This study aims to correlate the symptoms with the genetic background of the sufferers, which will greatly improve genetic diagnosis of Usher Syndrome and will allow clinicians to give a more accurate prediction of the course of the disease.
