First Advisor

Deanna K. Meinke

First Committee Member

Erinn Jimmerson

Second Committee Member

Diane Erdbruegger

Degree Name

Doctor of Audiology

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Date Created

5-2024

Abstract

The prevalence of children living with cancer is estimated to be 129,221 in the United States (National Cancer Institute, 2022). The chemotherapy treatment that these children receive can cause ototoxicity, especially when platinum-based chemotherapy agents are used. Ototoxic monitoring is beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment as it allows for treatment modification, dosage modification, early intervention, or auditory rehabilitation to take place based on the patient’s hearing status. This is especially important due to the effect hearing loss may have on children’s development and quality of life. There are several objective and behavioral auditory tests that can be used to assess hearing status. Behavioral audiometry, specifically pure tone testing, is the gold standard for assessing the hearing status of a patient. Behavioral results can be obtained for pure-tone audiometry and extended high-frequency audiometry conducted either conventionally, via conditioned play audiometry, or via visual reinforcement audiometry. However, young children require different tests in order to obtain reliable responses. The objective tests that may be used for these younger children include otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). The results of auditory testing are then assessed using a grading scale in order to provide objectivity and consistency when interpreting the data, and in order to make the results more accessible to non-audiologist medical professionals. In order to provide more consistency, there should be standardized pediatric ototoxicity monitoring protocols aligned with the type of chemotherapy administered. This manuscript will provide a literature review on these topics, generate protocol suggestions for pediatric ototoxicity monitoring, and discuss the research needs and future directions needed for evidence-based audiology practices.

Abstract Format

html

Disciplines

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Extent

77 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

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