Browsing by Author "Balasuriya, B.M.L.K."

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Audiological profile of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder in the paediatric population of a selected audiology clinic.
(University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023) Farook, T.; de Silva, M.D.K.; Balasuriya, B.M.L.K.
BACKGROUND: Hearing loss is a major concern worldwide with an estimated prevalence of over 20% globally. Among the different types of hearing loss, this study focuses on Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD). ANSD is characterized by the presence of intact outer hair cells and the absence of typical functioning in the auditory nerve. OBJECTIVE/S: To develop an audiological profile of patients with ANSD using audiological records of the paediatric population attending the audiology clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Ragama from 2017 2022, and to compare the risk factors for hearing loss and other associated factors between patients with ANSD and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). METHODS: The study design was a retrospective comparative case study conducted in the University Audiology Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Ragama, Sri Lanka. The population for the study included all patients who attended (2017-2022) the University Audiology Clinic in the age range of 0-18 years. Data was collected from audiological records. The assessment findings were used to develop the profile while the medical history was used to compare the risk factors between ANSD and SNHL patients. Data analysis software (statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26) was used for statistical analysis. Data related to risk factors for hearing loss among patients diagnosed with SNHL and ANSD were analysed, and a comparison was made between the two groups using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 1215 pediatric patients have attended the clinic. Out of them ANSD cases were found to be 2.7% of the pediatric population that completed the test, while 16.05% were of the SNHL population. Only one had unilateral ANSD. Distortion Product Oto-Acoustic Emissions (DPOAEs) were present in 44.2% (19) of the ears and inconsistent in 18.6% (8) of the ears. Cochlear Microphonics (CM) was present in all (43) ears. Tb-ABR was absent in 46.2% (12) of the ears while abnormal in 53.8% (14) of the ears. Click ABR was absent in 83.7% (36) of the ears and abnormal in 16.3% (7) of the ears. The degree of hearing loss varied between mild to profound in patients with ANSD. Comparison of the risk factors revealed a statistically significant difference for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (p=0.003), administration of oxygen (p=0.040), neonatal sepsis (p=0.025), neonatal meningitis (p=0.014) and congenital anomalies (p=0.002). CONCLUSION/S: The proportion of ANSD found in the pediatric population with risk factors is significant and justifies the need to implement newborn hearing screening programs for early identification. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, administration of oxygen, sepsis including meningitis, and congenital anomalies can be used as predictors for infants at risk of ANSD. Children with ASD, speech delay, CVI, and GDD require to be screened for ANSD as well.
Development of a Dichotic Digits Test, Pitch Pattern Test and Duration Pattern Test for Sri Lankan Young Adults: Preliminary Findings
(International Postgraduate Research Conference 2019, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Balasuriya, B.M.L.K.; Ekanayake, E.M.M.L.; Dayaratna, A.M.D.N.; Jayasena, B.N.
Dichotic Digits Test (DDT) involves listening to simultaneous digits presented bilaterally with different digits presented to each ear. Pitch Pattern Test (PPT) and Duration Pattern Test (DPT) are temporal processing tests that involve ordering auditory patterns in frequency and duration respectively. Dichotic listening and temporal processing are auditory processes that play a crucial role in everyday speech understanding. Poor performance shown in one or more of these auditory processes are an indication for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). Research evidence suggest that performance scores are influenced by the language spoken by the population tested. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a DDT, PPT, and a DPT and establish norms for Sinhala speaking young adults. 25 single pair digits, 30 frequency patterns and 30 duration patterns were recorded using 6 bisyllabic Sinhala digits, 880 Hz and 1122 Hz, and 250ms and 500ms stimuli respectively. All tests were developed based on gold standards for CAPD test material construction. Initially, the stimuli were piloted on 20 participants who met the inclusion criteria, but not included in the main study. A sample of 128 right-handed normal hearing young adults aged 20 to 28 years were tested to establish cut-off scores, ear differences and gender differences in performances for all three tests. The participants were limited to young adults in order to minimize effects of aging on test performance. The DDT was performed under free recall, directed right and directed left listening conditions. Free recall involved repeating digits heard in both ears while directed recall involved repeating the digit in the monitored ear and ignoring the digit in the other ear. The cut-off scores for the DDT were 91.64% in the right ear and 85.96% in the left ear for the free recall and 69.15% in the right ear and 68.75% in the left ear for the directed recall listening condition. The PPT and DPT reported cut-off scores that were 27.82% in the right ear and 29.90% in the left ear, and 72.99% in the right ear and 73.33% in the left ear respectively. The right ear scores were significantly higher than the left ear scores (p < .001) in the DDT free recall listening condition, re-establishing the phenomena of right ear advantage. Interestingly, ear differences were not significant (p> .001) for PPT and DPT. No gender differences were noted for any of the tests. The study provide audiologists in Sri Lanka access to feasible tests and preliminary cut-off scores that would help diagnose CAPDs in young adults.
Development of A Duration Pattern Test to Assess Temporal Processing Abilities in Normal Hearing Young Adults.
(In: Proceedings of the International Postgraduate Research Conference 2017 (IPRC – 2017), Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Balasuriya, B.M.L.K.
Introduction:Duration Pattern Test (DPT) is a test that can be used for evaluating central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). (Majak, Zamysłowska-Szmytke, Rajkowska, & Śliwińska-Kowalska, 2015). The current dissertation is mainly focused on developing normative data for DPT to use as a reference value to assess temporal processing abilities in Sri Lankan Sinhala speaking normal hearing young adults age ranging from 20.0-28.0 years due to the lack of evidence in normative data for DPT within Sinhala speaking population. Objectives: The general objective is to develop normative data for DPT in Sri Lankan Sinhala speaking young adults and specific objectives are to develop DPT, to determine normative data for DPT and to determine gender differences and intra-aural differences of DPT. Methodology: Descriptive cross sectional study was carried out with 128 (74 males and 74 females) for the main study and 20 participants for the pilot study were selected using purposive sampling method. The study setting was Audiology laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Prior to DPT, case history was taken and hearing screening tests were done to confirm individual subjects with normal hearing. Then DPT (stimuli will give by using GSI 61 Diagnostic Clinical Audiometer [Grason-Stadler, Inc]) was carried out and results were recorded. Data was analyzed descriptively. Non-parametric tests were used to find ear differences and gender differences. Results and conclusion: The reference value for Sinhala speaking young adults are 73% for both ears. There was no gender differences and intra-aural difference compared to previous studies (Majak et al, 2015; Fuente and McPherson, 2006 and Neijenhuis et al, 2001). Further development of a valid and reliable auditory processing test battery is required for Sinhala speaking population.
Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit questionnaire with a sample of Sinhala speaking adult hearing aid users in Sri Lanka.
(University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023) Hewapathiranage, S.H.; Karunarathne, W.G.S.S.; Balasuriya, B.M.L.K.
BACKGROUND: Hearing aid amplification plays a crucial role in audiological rehabilitation. The quantification of the benefit of hearing aids in further enhancement is necessary for effective management. The Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) is one of the most widely used self-report questionnaires, used to quantify disability subjectively in everyday life caused by hearing loss as well as to examine the effect of hearing aid intervention in adult hearing aid users. OBJECTIVE/ The purpose of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (ABHAB) questionnaire in Sinhala. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to pre-test the validity of the translated ABHAB questionnaire. Authorization from the original authors of the questionnaire was sought and gained. The APHAB was translated into Sinhala and 30 adult participants (male = 56.7% and female = 43.3%) were recruited with a mean age 60.4 years to assess its face validity. The content validation of the APHAB questionnaire was assessed by the degree of relevance and the cultural appropriateness. The Content Validity Index (CVI) was calculated by using item – CVI (I-CVI) and scale – CVI (S-CVI). S-CVI was calculated under Scale CVI Average (S-CVI/AVE) and Scale -CVI Universal Agreement (S-CVI/UA) RESULTS: The obtained responses for face validity indicated a high percentage of agreement. Obtained ICVI for degree of relevance was greater than 0.79 for all the items in the questionnaire, S-CVI/AVE indicated an excellent content validity as it obtained 0.94, while the S-CVI/UA value was lower than 0.8, was not indicated an excellent content validity. For cultural appropriateness, 21 items obtained an I-CVI value greater than 0.79 as relevant items; 3 items obtained values lower than 0.70. As S-CVI/AVE and SCVI/ UA values did not indicated a good content validity for cultural appropriateness, modifications were applied to the items that obtained lower I-CVI values by conducting a review. CONCLUSION/S: The translated, culturally adapted and validated APHAB questionnaire in Sinhala, is a simple and quick instrument to measure the self-reported effectiveness of hearing aids use by people with hearing loss in Sri Lanka. Thus, it can be used in aural rehabilitation and to direct people to relevant therapeutic approaches.