H.M., age 9, was another patient seen on the NSU Caribbean mission.  She lost her hearing at age 3 after meningitis.  H lives with her father on another island.  Her father signs, her mother does not.  She is known to have severe/profound hearing loss.  OAEs were absent.

H’s diagnostic test results from the first mission are shown. Tympanometry indicated normal compliance, slight negative pressure, and normal tympanometric width. Acoustic reflexes were absent.

• Bone conduction and speech testing were not conducted.  Is that acceptable when working in less than ideal “field conditions?”

The audiologist who worked with H.M. and her mother were not on the second trip, fitting the hearing aids.  One audiologist counseled the mother, while a doctoral student and another preceptor worked on fitting the hearing aids.

• What would you have counseled the mother about expectations for her daughter, now being fit with power hearing aids after 6 years without any amplification, and given the severity of the loss?

This photo was taken by the hospital PR department, with photo release given.