LOCHI Journal Publications

Journal Publications

2026

Easwar, V., Zhang, V. W., Gavrilis, J., Ching, T. Y. C., & Edwards, B. (2026). Listening-Related Fatigue in Adolescents With Prelingual Deafness and Device Experience. Trends in Hearing, 30, 23312165261469264. https://doi.org/10.1177/23312165261469264

Key finding: Many teenagers with hearing loss experience significant listening fatigue, even after years of hearing-aid or cochlear-implant use. Fatigue was linked more strongly to communication difficulties, anxiety, and depression than to hearing levels or device history.

Vella, A., Zhang, V. W., Tagudin, J., Favot, K., & Easwar, V. (2026). Speech production in children with mild bilateral hearing loss using hearing aids. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2026.2655871

Key finding: Five-year-olds with mild hearing loss who used hearing aids still showed more speech-sound errors than hearing peers. Early hearing-aid fitting alone did not eliminate these differences, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and support for speech development.

Söderström, P., & Easwar, V. (2026). Factors that influence stress in caregivers of school-age children with hearing impairment. International Journal of Audiology, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2026.2628708

Key finding: Caregiver stress at age 9 was linked less to hearing levels and more to children's communication skills, behaviour, and communication mode. Better child language was associated with less stress, while cochlear implant use and behavioural difficulties increased stress in some areas.

2025

Easwar, V., Gavrilis, J., Söderström, P., Ching, T., Leigh, G., & Zhang, V. (2025). Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents with Prelingual Hearing Loss: Prevalence and Risk Factors. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(21), 7538. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14217538

Key finding: Adolescents with hearing loss reported anxiety at rates similar to hearing peers, but depression may be somewhat more common. Mental health was linked primarily to communication abilities, social relationships, and broader psychosocial factors rather than audiological characteristics.

Ching, T. Y. C., Cupples, L., Seeto, M., Zhang, V., Hou, S., Wong, A., Flynn, C., Marnane, V., Leigh, G., & Dillon, H. (2025). Early intervention influences 9-year speech, language, cognitive, and quality-of-life outcomes in deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Ear and Hearing. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000001657

Key finding: Children who received hearing support earlier, particularly cochlear implants, tended to have stronger verbal memory skills at age 9. Better verbal memory was associated with better speech perception, language, and quality of life, highlighting the long-term benefits of timely hearing intervention.

Ching, T. Y. C., Hou, S., & Incerti, P. (2025). The influence of electrical dynamic range in cochlear implants of children at age 3 years on speech perception, vocabulary and quality-of-life outcomes at age 9 years. International journal of audiology, 1–9. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2025.2502445

Key finding: Children with cochlear implants who had a wider electrical dynamic range at age 3, meaning a larger gap between the softest sounds they could detect and the loudest sounds that remained comfortable through their implant, achieved better speech perception, vocabulary, and quality-of-life outcomes at age 9. The findings suggest that optimising access to a broader range of sound early in life can support long-term language and developmental outcomes.

Sharma, R., Tani, M., Cheng, Z., Ching, T. Y. C., Marnane, V., Mendolia, S., & Parkinson, B. (2025). Does Childhood Cochlear Implantation Spill Over to Carers' Employment Status?. Ear and hearing, 46(2), 277–285. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000001588

Key finding: Childhood cochlear implantation may have benefits that extend beyond children's hearing and communication outcomes. Primary caregivers, particularly those from more socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, were more likely to be employed if their child had a cochlear implant than if their child did not. This finding suggests that improved child functioning may reduce caregiving demands and support carers' participation in the workforce.

2024

Adily, A., Marnane, V., Tiko, R., & Easwar, V. (2024). Factors that influence stress in caregivers of 5-year-old children with hearing loss wearing hearing aids or cochlear implants. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 180, 111907.

Key finding: Caregiver stress at age 5 was associated with children's communication skills, device type, behaviour, and communication mode. Better child language was associated with less stress, while cochlear implant use, the use of mixed spoken and signed communication mode, and behavioural difficulties were associated with increased stress in some areas.

Easwar, V., Hou, S., & Zhang, V. W. (2024). Parent-Reported Ease of Listening in Preschool-Aged Children With Bilateral and Unilateral Hearing Loss. Ear and hearing, 45(6), 1600–1612. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000001553

Key finding: Preschool children with hearing loss experienced greater listening difficulty than their hearing peers, even when using hearing devices. Children with hearing loss in one ear showed listening difficulties comparable to those with hearing loss in two. Ease of listening was linked to functional listening ability, suggesting that communication skills and access to speech are critical targets for intervention.

Ching, T. Y. C., Zhang, V., Nel, E., Hou, S., Incerti, P., & Plasmans, A. (2024). Effects of automatic auditory scene classification on speech perception in noise and real-world functional communication in children using cochlear implants. Cochlear Implants International, 25(6), 422–433. https://doi.org/10.1080/14670100.2024.2415193

Key finding: Automatic auditory scene classification (SCAN) in cochlear implants significantly improved children's speech perception in spatially separated noise. However, parent and child reports showed no significant differences in everyday listening performance with SCAN enabled versus disabled. The findings support activating SCAN in paediatric cochlear implant users, with no evidence of detrimental real-world effects.

2023

Zhang, V. W., Hou, S., Wong, A., Flynn, C., Oliver, J., Weiss, M., Milner, S., & Ching, T. Y. C. (2023). Audiological characteristics of children with congenital unilateral hearing loss: insights into Age of reliable behavioural audiogram acquisition and change of hearing loss. Frontiers in pediatrics, 11, 1279673. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1279673

Key finding: Children with congenital unilateral hearing loss often experience substantial changes in hearing before a reliable behavioural audiogram can be obtained. In this Australian cohort, only half achieved a reliable audiogram by age three, and 78% showed hearing deterioration at one or more frequencies compared with their newborn diagnosis. The findings highlight the importance of frequent monitoring and early audiological follow-up to ensure timely intervention.

2022

Ching, T. Y. C., Cupples, L., & Zhang, V. W. (2022). Predicting 9-Year language ability from preschool speech recognition in noise in children using cochlear implants. Trends in Hearing, 26, 23312165221090395.

Key finding: In 9-year-old children with cochlear implants, speech perception in noise at age 5 predicted language ability at age 9, even after accounting for earlier vocabulary, maternal education, and age at implantation. In contrast, early vocabulary did not independently predict later speech perception once early speech perception was considered, highlighting the importance of developing listening-in-noise skills in early childhood.

Sharma, R., Gu, Y., Sinha, K., Ching, T. Y. C., Marnane, V., Gold, L., Wake, M., Wang, J., & Parkinson, B. (2022). An Economic evaluation of Australia's Newborn Hearing Screening Program: A within-study cost-effectiveness analysis. Ear and Hearing, 43(3), 972–983. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000001153.

Key finding: Children identified through universal newborn hearing screening were diagnosed much earlier and showed better quality-of-life outcomes at age 5 than children identified through targeted screening. Although universal screening was more expensive, the additional cost was considered acceptable relative to the gains achieved, suggesting that Australia's newborn hearing screening program provides reasonable value for money.

2021

Ching, T., Cupples, L., Leigh, G., Hou, S., & Wong, A. (2021). Predicting quality of life and behavior and emotion from functional auditory and pragmatic language abilities in 9-year-old deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(22), 5357. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10225357.

Key finding: Children who were better able to hear and communicate effectively in everyday situations and who demonstrated stronger pragmatic language skills had better psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life at 9 years of age. These functional communication abilities were more important predictors than traditional measures of receptive and expressive language, highlighting the importance of real-world listening and social communication skills for wellbeing.

2020

Ching, T.Y.C & Leigh, G. (2020). Considering the impact of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and early intervention on language outcomes for children with congenital hearing loss. Journal of Hearing, Balance and Communication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21695717.2020.1846923.

Key finding: Universal newborn hearing screening enables much earlier identification of hearing loss, leading to earlier hearing aid fitting and cochlear implantation. Children who received intervention earlier, particularly before 6 months for hearing aids and before 12 months for cochlear implants, achieved significantly better language outcomes at 5 years. Many reached language levels comparable to their typically developing peers, highlighting the importance of early intervention rather than screening alone.

2019

Ching, T.Y.C, Cupples. L, Marnane. V, (2019). Early cognitive predictors of 9-year-old spoken language in children with mild to severe hearing loss using hearing aids. Frontiers in Psychology, 26 September 2019, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02180.

Wass, M., Ching, T. Y., Cupples, L., Wang, H. C., Lyxell, B., Martin, L., ... & Castles, A. (2019). Orthographic learning in children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 50(1), 99-112.

2018

Scarinci, N., Erbasi, E., Moore, E., Ching, T. Y., & Marnane, V. (2018). The parents’ perspective of the early diagnostic period of their child with hearing loss: Information and support. International journal of audiology, 57(sup2), S3-S14.

Erbasi, E., Scarinci, N., Hickson, L., & Ching, T. Y. (2018). Parental involvement in the care and intervention of children with hearing loss. International journal of audiology, 57(sup2), S15-S26.

Incerti, P. V., Ching, T. Y., Hou, S., Van Buynder, P., Flynn, C., & Cowan, R. (2018). Programming characteristics of cochlear implants in children: effects of aetiology and age at implantation. International journal of audiology, 57(sup2), S27-S40.

Ching, T. Y., Zhang, V. W., Johnson, E. E., Van Buynder, P., Hou, S., Burns, L., ... & McGhie, K. (2018). Hearing aid fitting and developmental outcomes of children fit according to either the NAL or DSL prescription: fit-to-target, audibility, speech and language abilities. International journal of audiology, 57(sup2), S41-S54.

Cupples, L., Ching, T. Y., Button, L., Seeto, M., Zhang, V., Whitfield, J., ... & Marnane, V. (2018). Spoken language and everyday functioning in 5-year-old children using hearing aids or cochlear implants. International journal of audiology, 57(sup2), S55-S69.

Ching, T. Y., Zhang, V. W., Flynn, C., Burns, L., Button, L., Hou, S., ... & Van Buynder, P. (2018). Factors influencing speech perception in noise for 5-year-old children using hearing aids or cochlear implants. International journal of audiology, 57(sup2), S70-S80..

Wong, C. L., Ching, T. Y., Leigh, G., Cupples, L., Button, L., Marnane, V., ... & Martin, L. (2018). Psychosocial development of 5-year-old children with hearing loss: Risks and protective factors. International journal of audiology, 57(sup2), S81-S92.

Cupples, L., Ching, T. Y., Button, L., Leigh, G., Marnane, V., Whitfield, J., ... & Martin, L. (2018). Language and speech outcomes of children with hearing loss and additional disabilities: identifying the variables that influence performance at five years of age. International journal of audiology, 57(sup2), S93-S104.

Ching, T. Y., Dillon, H., Leigh, G., & Cupples, L. (2018). Learning from the Longitudinal Outcomes of Children with Hearing Impairment (LOCHI) study: Summary of 5-year findings and implications. International journal of audiology, 57(sup2), S105-S111.

Wong CL, Ching TYC, Whitfield W, Duncan J (2018), Exploring the social capital of adolescents who are deaf or hard of hearing and their parents: a preliminary investigation. American Annals of the Deaf, 162(5) 463-478.

Scarinci, N., Gehrke, M., Ching, T. Y., Marnane, V., & Button, L. (2018). Factors influencing caregiver decision making to change the communication method of their child with hearing loss. Deafness & Education International, 20(3-4), 123-153.

Ching, T. Y., Scarinci, N., Marnane, V., Sjahalam-King, J., Button, L., & Whitfield, J. (2018). Factors influencing parents’ decisions about communication choices during early education of their child with hearing loss: a qualitative study. Deafness & Education International, 20(3-4), 154-181.

2017

Wong, C. L., Ching, T. Y., Cupples, L., Button, L., Leigh, G., Marnane, V., ... & Martin, L. (2017). Psychosocial development in 5-year-old children with hearing loss using hearing aids or cochlear implants. Trends in hearing, 21, 2331216517710373.

Ching TYC, Dillon H, Button L, Seeto M, Van Buynder P, Marnane V, Cupples L, Leigh G (2017). Age at intervention for permanent hearing loss and 5-year language outcomes. Pediatrics 140(3): e20164274.

2016

Smith, J., Wolfe, J., & Ching, T. Y. (2016). Lessons from LOCHI. The Hearing Journal, 69(6), 18.

2015

Marnane V, Ching TYC (2015). Hearing aid and cochlear implant use in children with hearing loss at three years of age: Predictors of use and predictors of changes in use. International Journal of Audiology. 54(8), 544-551.

Gardner-Berry K, Purdy S, Ching TYC, Dillon H (2015). The audiological journey and early outcomes of infants with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder from birth to 2 years of age. International Journal of Audiology. 54(8), 524-535.

Ching TYC (2015). Is early intervention effective in improving outcomes of children with congenital hearing loss? American Journal of Audiology. 24,345-348.

Ching TYC, Cupples L (2015). Phonological awareness in children at 5 years of age who use hearing aids or cochlear implants. Perspectives on Hearing and Hearing Disorders in Childhood [ASHA] SIG9. 25(2), 48-60. DOI:10.1044/hhdc25.2.48.

Leigh G, Ching TYC, Day J, Seeto M, Marnane V, Cupples L, Crowe K. (2015). Psychosocial outcomes for early- and late-identified children with permanent childhood hearing impairment at 3 years of age. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. 10.1093/deafed/env028.

Ching TYC, Zhang V, Hou S, Van Buynder P (2015). Cortical auditory evoked potentials reveal changes in audibility with nonlinear frequency compression in hearing aids for children: clinical implications. Seminars in Hearing. 37(1), 25-35.

2014

Ching TYC, Day J, Van Buynder P, Hou S, Zhang V, Seeto M, Burns L, Flynn C (2014). Language and speech perception of young children with bimodal fitting or bilateral cochlear implants. Cochlear Implants International 15, S43-S46.

Ching TYC, Day J, Cupples L (2014). Phonological awareness and early reading skills in children with cochlear implants. Cochlear Implants International 15, S27-S29.

Crowe K, McLeod S, McKinnon D, Ching TYC (2014). Speech, sign, or multilingualism for children with hearing loss: quantitative insights into caregivers' decision making. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools 45, 234-247. doi:10.1044/2014_LSHSS-12-0106.

Crowe K, Fordham L, McLeod S, Ching TYC (2014). Part of our world: Influences on caregiver decisions about communication choices for children with hearing loss. Deafness and Education International 16(2), 61-85.

Zhang V, Ching, TYC, Van Buynder P, Hou S, Flynn C, Burns L, McGhie K, Wong A. (2014). Aided cortical response, speech intelligibility, consonant perception and functional performance of young children using conventional amplification or nonlinear frequency compression. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 78(10), 1692-1700.

Crowe K, McLeod S, McKinnon DH, Ching TYC (2014). Attitudes towards the capabilities of adults with hearing loss: insights from caregivers of young children with hearing loss. American Annals of the Deaf. 160(1): 24-35. DOI: 10.1353/aad.2015.0013.

2013

Ching TYC, Dillon H, Hou S et al (2013). A randomised controlled comparison of NAL and DSL prescriptions for young children: Hearing aid characteristics and performance outcomes at 3 years of age. International Journal of Audiology 52(S2), S29-S38.

Ching TYC, Dillon H, Marnane V, Hou S, Day J, Seeto M, Crowe K, Street L, Thomson J, Van Buynder P, Zhang V, Wong A, Burns L, Flynn C, Cupples L, Cowan RSC, Leigh G, Sjahalam-King J (2013). Outcomes of early- and late-identified children at 3 years: findings from a population study. Ear and Hearing 34(5):535-552.

Ching TYC, Johnson E, Hou S et al (2013). A comparison of NAL and DSL prescriptive methods for paediatric hearing aid fitting: estimates of loudness and speech intelligibility. International Journal of Audiology 52(S2), S29-S38.

Dahl HH, Ching TYC, Hutchison W, Hou S, Seeto M, Sjahalam-King J. (2013). Etiology and audiological outcomes at 3 years for 364 children in Australia. PLoS ONE. 8(3) e59624.

Ching TYC, Day J, Dillon H, Gardner-Berry K, Hou S, Seeto M, Wong A, Zhang V (2013). Impact of the presence of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) on outcomes of children at 3 years of age. International Journal of Audiology 52 (S2), S55-S64.

Ching TYC, Dillon H, Marnane V, Hou S, Day J, Seeto M, Crowe K, Street L, Thomson J, Van Buynder P, Zhang V, Wong A, Burns L, Flynn C, Cupples L, Cowan R, Leigh G, Sjahalam-King J, Yeh A. (2013). Outcomes of early- and late-identified children at 3 years: findings from a population study. Ear and Hearing. 34(5):535-552.

Ching TYC, Day J, Van Buynder P, Hou S, Zhang V, Seeto M, Burns L, Flynn C (2013). Language and speech perception of young children with bimodal fitting or bilateral cochlear implants. Cochlear Implant International.

Ching TYC, Day J, Cupples L (2013). Phonological awareness and early reading skills in children with cochlear implants. Cochlear Implant International.

Ching TYC, Day J, Seeto M, Dillon H. (2013). Predicting 3-year outcomes of early-identified children with hearing impairment. B-ENT Suppl 21, 99-106.

Gilliver M, Ching TYC, Sjahalam-King J (2013). When expectation meets experience: parents’ recollections and experiences of a child with hearing impairment. International Journal of Audiology 52 (S2), S10-S16.

Cupples L, Ching TYC, Crowe K, Leigh G, Street L, Day J, Marnane V, Thomson J (2013). All disabilities are not created equal: Outcomes of 3-year-old children with hearing loss and different types of additional disabilities. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education

Cupples L, Ching TYC, Crowe K (Aug 2013). Predictors of early reading skill in 5-year-old children with hearing loss who use spoken language. Reading Research Quarterly.

Ching TYC, Day J, Zhang V, Dillon H, Van Buynder P, Seeto M, Hou S, Marnane V, Thomson J, Street L, Wong A, Burns L, Flynn C (2013). A randomised controlled trial of nonlinear frequency compression versus conventional processing in hearing aids: speech and language of children at 3 years of age. International Journal of Audiology 52 (S2), S46-S54.

Ching TYC, Leigh G, Dillon H (2013). Introduction to the Longitudinal Outcomes of Children with Hearing Impairment (LOCHI) study: background, design, sample characteristics. International Journal of Audiolog 52 (S2), S4-S9.

Ching TYC, Dillon H (2013). Major findings of the LOCHI study on children at 3 years of age and implications for audiological management. International Journal of Audiology 52 (S2), S65-S68.

2012

Crowe K, McLeod S, Ching TYC (2012). The cultural and linguistic diversity of 3-year-old children with hearing loss. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education 17(4), 421-438.

Crowe K, McKinnon DH, McLeod S, Ching TYC (2012). Multilingual children with hearing loss: factors contributing to language use at home and in early education. Child Language Teaching and Therapy 29(1), 111-129.

2011

Ching TYC, Day J, Crowe K, Mahler N, Martin V, Street L, Ashwood J, Usher H-L (2011). The Longitudinal outcomes of children with hearing impairment (LOCHI) study: a brief overview of interim findings. Acquiring Knowledge in Speech, Language and Hearing (ACQ) 13(1): 51-52.

2010

Ching TYC, Crowe K, Martin V, Day J, Mahler N, Youn S, Street L, Cook Cassandra, Orsini J (2010). Language development and everyday functioning of children with hearing loss assessed at 3 years of age. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 12(2):124-131

2009

Ching TYC, Dillon H, Day J, Crowe K. et al. (2009). Early language outcomes of children with cochlear implants: Interim findings of the NAL study on longitudinal outcomes of children with hearing impairment. Cochlear Implant International 10 (Suppl.1), 28-32.

Ching TYC, Dillon H, Day J, & Crowe K (2009). Language development of early and later-identified children at 6 months after hearing aid fitting. Les cahiers de l'audition 22, 22-31.