title: An evidence-based systematic review of frequency lowering in hearing aids for school-age children with hearing loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We developed 1 clinical question for this review, which addressed the comparison of hearing aids using frequency lowering compared to conventional processing amplification for outcomes of audibility, speech recognition, speech and language, and self- or parent-report for children with hearing loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched 26 databases for studies addressing a clinical question and meeting all inclusion criteria. We evaluated studies for methodological quality and reported or calculated effect sizes when possible.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature search resulted in the inclusion of 5 studies. We implemented several different frequency-lowering strategies across studies; 2 studies used nonlinear frequency compression, 2 used frequency transposition, and 1 used frequency compression with dynamic consonant boost.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whereas methodological limitations of the included studies preclude the formulation of strong conclusions, findings were generally positive across frequency-lowering strategies and outcomes. Additional high-quality research is needed in this area.
authors.affiliation: Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, USA. Ryan.McCreery@boystown.org
authors.forename: Ryan W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: McCreery
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Venediktov
authors.forename: Jaumeiko J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Hillary M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Leech
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004867:Equipment Design; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome