Date of Award
Spring 5-2021
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Program
Applied Biopsychology
Department
Psychology
Major Professor
Elliott Beaton
Second Advisor
Tracey Knaus
Third Advisor
Christopher Harshaw
Fourth Advisor
Carolyn White
Abstract
Studies of geriatric, profoundly deaf, and syndromic hearing-loss populations demonstrate significant negative consequences of hearing loss including poorer cognitive function, difficulties in social interactions, and increased risk of psychiatric disorders that compromise quality of life. To date, there are several empirical studies that have assessed the long-term effects of hearing loss on physiological, psychological, and socioemotional problems in children with chromosome 22q11.2DS. We measured different types of hearing loss in relation to attention, affective symptomology, physiological markers of stress, listening abilities, and balance in 22q11.2DS. Results revealed that children with 22q11.2DS have greater hearing loss in all frequencies and lower dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) compared to controls. Hearing loss in all frequencies increases auditory attention but lowers executive attention. High frequency hearing loss (HFHL) has a negative impact on hearing acuity while speech window hearing loss (SWHL) increases audio-visual integration and sound discrimination. Children with chronic sinus infections or cleft palate are more likely to be at-risk for auditory attention problems. Hearing loss did not affect externalizing problems, but it negatively affected depression and withdrawal and increased social skills. Mild hearing loss within the speech window and high frequencies tend to have the greatest negative effect on internalizing disorders. Future directions should investigate why children with 22q11.2DS and hearing loss appear to have better social skills and auditory attention but have poorer executive attention. Vestibular balance could not be maintained when eyes were open or closed, so more investigation is needed to determine the effects of hearing loss on visual and proprioception systems.
Recommended Citation
Marais, Ade, "The role of hearing loss in physiological and psychological stress and attention in children and adolescents with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome" (2021). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 2892.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2892
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