Considerations for Choosing Microphone Technologies for Students With Limited Useable Hearing Unilaterally

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin M. Picou ◽  
Hilary Davis ◽  
Anne Marie Tharpe
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Classroom Communication ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Signal Systems ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
The Difference

Purpose Current recommendations for clinical management of school-aged children with limited useable hearing unilaterally primarily focus on remote microphone systems and preferential seating. The purpose of this narrative review is to examine the existing evidence supporting these recommendations. Method A narrative review was conducted, focused on nonsurgical interventions for children with limited useable hearing unilaterally. Results Six articles were identified. Three survey studies suggest high use rates and improved academic performance with contralateral routing of signal systems. One laboratory study suggests students with hearing loss need to sit closer to the desired signal (e.g., teacher) than their peers with normal hearing to achieve similar speech recognition. Two laboratory studies suggest remote microphone systems provide consistent benefits when the microphone is located near the talker of interest, whereas contralateral routing of signal systems impairs performance in noise. Conclusions The discrepancy between survey studies and laboratory studies could be explained partly due to the difference between listening situations in the laboratory and in classrooms. Everyone in the classroom is a potential talker of interest, and the listening environments are often dynamic. Thus, contralateral routing of signal systems might have more potential to improve classroom communication than was suggested by the laboratory studies. Recommendations for microphone technologies should be based on the extent to which a student is struggling, where the student sits in the classroom, and where the important talkers are located. There is not one optimal recommendation for all students, but a combination of remote microphone and contralateral routing of signal systems could work for most students. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.9956663

Clinical Experience with the Words-in-Noise Test on 3430 Veterans: Comparisons with Pure-Tone Thresholds and Word Recognition in Quiet

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (07) ◽  
pp. 405-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard H. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Word Recognition ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Recognition Performance ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Auditory Function ◽  
Pure Tone Average ◽  
Correct Point ◽  
Audiologic Evaluation

Background: Since the 1940s, measures of pure-tone sensitivity and speech recognition in quiet have been vital components of the audiologic evaluation. Although early investigators urged that speech recognition in noise also should be a component of the audiologic evaluation, only recently has this suggestion started to become a reality. This report focuses on the Words-in-Noise (WIN) Test, which evaluates word recognition in multitalker babble at seven signal-to-noise ratios and uses the 50% correct point (in dB SNR) calculated with the Spearman-Kärber equation as the primary metric. The WIN was developed and validated in a series of 12 laboratory studies. The current study examined the effectiveness of the WIN materials for measuring the word-recognition performance of patients in a typical clinical setting. Purpose: To examine the relations among three audiometric measures including pure-tone thresholds, word-recognition performances in quiet, and word-recognition performances in multitalker babble for veterans seeking remediation for their hearing loss. Research Design: Retrospective, descriptive. Study Sample: The participants were 3430 veterans who for the most part were evaluated consecutively in the Audiology Clinic at the VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee. The mean age was 62.3 yr (SD = 12.8 yr). Data Collection and Analysis: The data were collected in the course of a 60 min routine audiologic evaluation. A history, otoscopy, and aural-acoustic immittance measures also were included in the clinic protocol but were not evaluated in this report. Results: Overall, the 1000–8000 Hz thresholds were significantly lower (better) in the right ear (RE) than in the left ear (LE). There was a direct relation between age and the pure-tone thresholds, with greater change across age in the high frequencies than in the low frequencies. Notched audiograms at 4000 Hz were observed in at least one ear in 41% of the participants with more unilateral than bilateral notches. Normal pure-tone thresholds (≤20 dB HL) were obtained from 6% of the participants. Maximum performance on the Northwestern University Auditory Test No. 6 (NU-6) in quiet was ≥90% correct by 50% of the participants, with an additional 20% performing at ≥80% correct; the RE performed 1–3% better than the LE. Of the 3291 who completed the WIN on both ears, only 7% exhibited normal performance (50% correct point of ≤6 dB SNR). Overall, WIN performance was significantly better in the RE (mean = 13.3 dB SNR) than in the LE (mean = 13.8 dB SNR). Recognition performance on both the NU-6 and the WIN decreased as a function of both pure-tone hearing loss and age. There was a stronger relation between the high-frequency pure-tone average (1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) and the WIN than between the pure-tone average (500, 1000, and 2000 Hz) and the WIN. Conclusions: The results on the WIN from both the previous laboratory studies and the current clinical study indicate that the WIN is an appropriate clinic instrument to assess word-recognition performance in background noise. Recognition performance on a speech-in-quiet task does not predict performance on a speech-in-noise task, as the two tasks reflect different domains of auditory function. Experience with the WIN indicates that word-in-noise tasks should be considered the “stress test” for auditory function.

scholarly journals Relating Working Memory to Compression Parameters in Clinically Fit Hearing Aids

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela E. Souza ◽  
Lynn Sirow
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Reading Span ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Compression Speed ◽  
Speech Recognition In Noise ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Fast Acting

Purpose Several laboratory studies have demonstrated that working memory may influence response to compression speed in controlled (i.e., laboratory) comparisons of compression. In this study, the authors explored whether the same relationship would occur under less controlled conditions, as might occur in a typical audiology clinic. Method Participants included 27 older adults who sought hearing care in a private practice audiology clinic. Working memory was measured for each participant using a reading span test. The authors examined the relationship between working memory and aided speech recognition in noise, using clinically fit hearing aids with a range of compression speeds. Results Working memory, amount of hearing loss, and age each contributed to speech recognition, but the contribution depended on the speed of the compression processor. For fast-acting compression, the best performance was obtained by patients with high working memory. For slow-acting compression, speech recognition was affected by age and amount of hearing loss but was not affected by working memory. Conclusions Despite the expectation of greater variability from differences in compression implementation, number of compression channels, or attendant signal processing, the relationship between working memory and compression speed showed a similar pattern as results from more controlled, laboratory-based studies.

scholarly journals Auditory Comprehension in School-Aged Children With Normal Hearing and With Unilateral Hearing Loss

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda M. Griffin ◽  
Sarah F. Poissant ◽  
Richard L. Freyman
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Spatial Configuration ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Unilateral Hearing Loss ◽  
Auditory Comprehension ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Speech Intelligibility Index ◽  
Narrative Language

Purpose The purpose of this study was to measure auditory comprehension performance in school-aged children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) and with normal hearing (NH) in quiet and in the presence of child-produced two-talker babble (TTB). Method Listeners were school-aged children (7–12 years) with permanent UHL ( n = 25) or NH ( n = 14). Comprehension of three short stories taken from the Test of Narrative Language ( Gillam & Pearson, 2004 ) was measured in quiet and in the presence of TTB at two signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs): (a) +6 dB and (b) the individualized SNR required to achieve 50% sentence understanding in the presence of the same TTB masker in a prior study ( Griffin, Poissant, & Freyman, 2019 ). Target/masker spatial configuration was 0°/±60° azimuth. Results As a group, subjects with UHL demonstrated auditory comprehension abilities in favorable listening environments (i.e., quiet, +6 dB SNR) that were statistically equivalent to the NH group. However, in the most challenging listening condition (individualized SNR), many subjects with UHL demonstrated poorer comprehension performance than their age-matched peers with NH. Comprehension abilities were not associated with degree of UHL, unaided speech intelligibility index at 65 dB SPL in the impaired ear, side of UHL, or sex. Conclusions As a group, children with UHL demonstrated deficits in auditory comprehension compared to age-matched peers with NH in challenging listening environments. Findings highlight the importance of ensuring good SNRs for children with UHL.

Speech-Language Pathologists' Perceptions of School-Based Services for Children With Hearing Loss

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-478
Author(s):  
Sarah Allen ◽  
Robert Mayo
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Working Relationships ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
School Based ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Positive Feelings ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss ◽  
Perceptions Of School

Purpose School-aged children with hearing loss are best served by a multidisciplinary team of professionals. The purpose of this research was to assess school-based speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) perceptions of their access to, involvement of, and working relationships with educational audiologists in their current work setting. Method An online survey was developed and distributed to school-based SLPs in North Carolina. Results A significant difference in access to and involvement of educational audiologists across the state was found. Conclusions This research contributes to professional knowledge by providing information about current perceptions in the field about interprofessional practice in a school-based setting. Overall, SLPs reported positive feelings about their working relationship with educational audiologists and feel the workload is distributed fairly.

Antioxidant Enzyme Levels Inversely Covary with Hearing Loss After Amikacin Treatment

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (03) ◽  
pp. 134-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Klemens ◽  
Robert P. Meech ◽  
Larry F. Hughes ◽  
Satu Somani ◽  
Kathleen C.M. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Antioxidant Enzyme ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Antioxidant Enzyme Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
The Difference

This study's purpose was to determine if a correlation exists between cochlear antioxidant activity changes and auditory function after induction of aminoglycoside (AG) ototoxicity. Two groups of five 250-350 g albino guinea pigs served as subjects. For 28 days, albino guinea pigs were administered either 200 mg/kg/day amikacin, or saline subcutaneously. Auditory brainstem response testing was performed prior to the first injection and again before sacrifice, 28 days later. Cochleae were harvested and superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase activities and malondialdehyde levels were measured. All antioxidant enzymes had significantly lower activity in the amikacin group (p ≤ 0.05) than in the control group. The difference in cochlear antioxidant enzyme activity between groups inversely correlated significantly with the change in ABR thresholds. The greatest correlation was for the high frequencies, which are most affected by aminoglycosides. This study demonstrates that antioxidant enzyme activity and amikacin-induced hearing loss significantly covary.

scholarly journals The Effect of Hearing Aid Bandwidth and Configuration of Hearing Loss on Bimodal Speech Recognition in Cochlear Implant Users

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 621-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlene C. Neuman ◽  
Annette Zeman ◽  
Jonathan Neukam ◽  
Binhuan Wang ◽  
Mario A. Svirsky
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Hearing Aid

scholarly journals The Influence of Audibility on Speech Recognition With Nonlinear Frequency Compression for Children and Adults With Hearing Loss

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan W. McCreery ◽  
Joshua Alexander ◽  
Marc A. Brennan ◽  
Brenda Hoover ◽  
Judy Kopun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Nonlinear Frequency ◽  
Frequency Compression

Working Memory Capacity May Influence Perceived Effort during Aided Speech Recognition in Noise

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (08) ◽  
pp. 577-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Rudner ◽  
Thomas Lunner ◽  
Thomas Behrens ◽  
Elisabet Sundewall Thorén ◽  
Jerker Rönnberg
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Recognition Performance ◽  
Cognitive Capacity ◽  
Subjective Ratings ◽  
Perceived Effort ◽  
Noise Type ◽  
Speech Recognition In Noise

Background: Recently there has been interest in using subjective ratings as a measure of perceived effort during speech recognition in noise. Perceived effort may be an indicator of cognitive load. Thus, subjective effort ratings during speech recognition in noise may covary both with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and individual cognitive capacity. Purpose: The present study investigated the relation between subjective ratings of the effort involved in listening to speech in noise, speech recognition performance, and individual working memory (WM) capacity in hearing impaired hearing aid users. Research Design: In two experiments, participants with hearing loss rated perceived effort during aided speech perception in noise. Noise type and SNR were manipulated in both experiments, and in the second experiment hearing aid compression release settings were also manipulated. Speech recognition performance was measured along with WM capacity. Study Sample: There were 46 participants in all with bilateral mild to moderate sloping hearing loss. In Experiment 1 there were 16 native Danish speakers (eight women and eight men) with a mean age of 63.5 yr (SD = 12.1) and average pure tone (PT) threshold of 47. 6 dB (SD = 9.8). In Experiment 2 there were 30 native Swedish speakers (19 women and 11 men) with a mean age of 70 yr (SD = 7.8) and average PT threshold of 45.8 dB (SD = 6.6). Data Collection and Analysis: A visual analog scale (VAS) was used for effort rating in both experiments. In Experiment 1, effort was rated at individually adapted SNRs while in Experiment 2 it was rated at fixed SNRs. Speech recognition in noise performance was measured using adaptive procedures in both experiments with Dantale II sentences in Experiment 1 and Hagerman sentences in Experiment 2. WM capacity was measured using a letter-monitoring task in Experiment 1 and the reading span task in Experiment 2. Results: In both experiments, there was a strong and significant relation between rated effort and SNR that was independent of individual WM capacity, whereas the relation between rated effort and noise type seemed to be influenced by individual WM capacity. Experiment 2 showed that hearing aid compression setting influenced rated effort. Conclusions: Subjective ratings of the effort involved in speech recognition in noise reflect SNRs, and individual cognitive capacity seems to influence relative rating of noise type.

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