Remote microphone system use in the homes of children with hearing loss

Remote microphone systems (RMS) are known to improve speech recognition skills of children with hearing loss in settings where noise and distance are present (e.g., the classroom, the home; Bertachini, 2016). However, although RMSs are widely recommended in the classroom setting, very few and inconclusive studies have examined the possible language benefits related to the use of RMS use in the home environment. In this presentation, we will discuss a series of projects in which we investigated the effects of home-use of an RMS on the communication of 10 families with young children with hearing loss. Language Environmental Analysis (LENA™) recorders were used during two consecutive weekends (one weekend with the remote microphone and one without). Caregiver talk, child-directed speech, and other caregiver communication strategies were compared across both weekends. Caregiver perceptions related to RMS use will also be discussed.