Intelligibility of Telephone Speech for the Hearing Impaired When Various Microphones Are Used for Acoustic Coupling

1991 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus P. Janota ◽  
Jeanette Olach Janota
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Acoustic Coupling ◽  
Telephone Speech ◽  
Moderate Hearing Loss

This study set out to systematically measure the effect of using various candidate microphones for acoustic coupling of hearing aids to a telephone receiver. Intelligibility of words was determined for three microphones and three levels of interfering noise for a total of nine conditions. The subjects all had moderate hearing loss. It was found that microphones that exhibit pressure gradient sensitivity can, when properly positioned relative to the telephone receiver, increase intelligibility scores significantly. Results show that comparable listening performance is achieved with a pressure gradient microphone at a 10 dB higher level of interfering noise than with a microphone that is only sensitive to pressure. The results quantify the effect of microphones in acoustic coupling of hearing aids to telephones and point to a possible means for improving some types of hearing aids to facilitate telephone use for the hearing-impaired.

scholarly journals Speech Perception and Sound-Quality Rating with an Adaptive Nonlinear Frequency Compression Algorithm in Mandarin-Speaking Hearing Aid Users

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (08) ◽  
pp. 590-598
Author(s):  
Li Xu ◽  
Solveig C. Voss ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Xianhui Wang ◽  
Qian Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Nonlinear Frequency ◽  
Frequency Compression ◽  
Speech Reception ◽  
Quality Ratings ◽  
Phoneme Detection

Abstract Background Mandarin Chinese has a rich repertoire of high-frequency speech sounds. This may pose a remarkable challenge to hearing-impaired listeners who speak Mandarin Chinese because of their high-frequency sloping hearing loss. An adaptive nonlinear frequency compression (adaptive NLFC) algorithm has been implemented in contemporary hearing aids to alleviate the problem. Purpose The present study examined the performance of speech perception and sound-quality rating in Mandarin-speaking hearing-impaired listeners using hearing aids fitted with adaptive NLFC (i.e., SoundRecover2 or SR2) at different parameter settings. Research Design Hearing-impaired listeners' phoneme detection thresholds, speech reception thresholds, and sound-quality ratings were collected with various SR2 settings. Study Sample The participants included 15 Mandarin-speaking adults aged 32 to 84 years old who had symmetric sloping severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. Intervention The participants were fitted bilaterally with Phonak Naida V90-SP hearing aids. Data Collection and Analysis The outcome measures included phoneme detection threshold using the Mandarin Phonak Phoneme Perception test, speech reception threshold using the Mandarin hearing in noise test (M-HINT), and sound-quality ratings on human speech in quiet and noise, bird chirps, and music in quiet. For each test, five experimental settings were applied and compared: SR2-off, SR2-weak, SR2-default, SR2-strong 1, and SR2-strong 2. Results The results showed that listeners performed significantly better with SR2-strong 1 and SR2-strong 2 settings than with SR2-off or SR2-weak settings for speech reception threshold and phoneme detection threshold. However, no significant improvement was observed in sound-quality ratings among different settings. Conclusions These preliminary findings suggested that the adaptive NLFC algorithm provides perceptual benefit to Mandarin-speaking people with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

scholarly journals Perception of Auditory Distance in Normal-Hearing and Moderate-to-Profound Hearing-Impaired Listeners

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 233121651988761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilles Courtois ◽  
Vincent Grimaldi ◽  
Hervé Lissek ◽  
Philippe Estoppey ◽  
Eleftheria Georganti
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Spatial Cues ◽  
Linear Amplification ◽  
Profound Hearing Loss ◽  
Wireless Microphone ◽  
Auditory Distance ◽  
Non Linear

The auditory system allows the estimation of the distance to sound-emitting objects using multiple spatial cues. In virtual acoustics over headphones, a prerequisite to render auditory distance impression is sound externalization, which denotes the perception of synthesized stimuli outside of the head. Prior studies have found that listeners with mild-to-moderate hearing loss are able to perceive auditory distance and are sensitive to externalization. However, this ability may be degraded by certain factors, such as non-linear amplification in hearing aids or the use of a remote wireless microphone. In this study, 10 normal-hearing and 20 moderate-to-profound hearing-impaired listeners were instructed to estimate the distance of stimuli processed with different methods yielding various perceived auditory distances in the vicinity of the listeners. Two different configurations of non-linear amplification were implemented, and a novel feature aiming to restore a sense of distance in wireless microphone systems was tested. The results showed that the hearing-impaired listeners, even those with a profound hearing loss, were able to discriminate nearby and far sounds that were equalized in level. Their perception of auditory distance was however more contracted than in normal-hearing listeners. Non-linear amplification was found to distort the original spatial cues, but no adverse effect on the ratings of auditory distance was evident. Finally, it was shown that the novel feature was successful in allowing the hearing-impaired participants to perceive externalized sounds with wireless microphone systems.

AGE-RELATED ISSUES OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HEARING IMPAIRED PATIENTS

2021 ◽  
pp. 885-892
Author(s):  
Л. Е. Голованова ◽  
Е. А. Огородникова ◽  
Е. С. Лаптева ◽  
М. Ю. Бобошко
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Hearing Disorders ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Significant Difference

Целью исследования было изучение качества жизни лиц с нарушениями слуха в разных возрастных группах. Обследованы 100 пациентов, обратившихся в городской сурдологический центр для взрослых в связи с нарушением слуха: 50 человек - 34-59 лет, 50 - 60 лет и старше, из которых 32 человека были пожилого возраста (60-74 года)и 18 - старческого (75-86 лет). Степень тугоухости оценивали на основании результатов тональной пороговой аудиометрии. Для исследования качества жизни все пациенты заполняли общий опросник MOS SF-36, отражающий физический и психологический компоненты здоровья, а также специальный опросник HHIА(E)-S для лиц с нарушениями слуха. Установлено, что шкала HHIА(E)-S демонстрирует высокую корреляцию со степенью тугоухости у пациентов моложе 60 лет ( R =0,98; достоверность различий на уровне p <0,05), которая снижается у пациентов 60 лет и старше ( R =0,94; различия в оценках при разной степени тугоухости недостоверны). Значительные трудности в старшей возрастной группе могут быть связаны с тем, что людям пожилого и, особенно, старческого возраста сложно пользоваться слуховыми аппаратами (или они для них неэффективны) и оценивать свои затруднения по шкалам опросника. Целесообразно использовать шкалу HHIА(Е)-S в качестве скринингового инструмента для раннего выявления тугоухости, направления пациентов к сурдологу и своевременного слухопротезирования. The aim of the research was to study the quality of life in hearing impaired patients of different age. 100 patients referred to the city audiology centre because of their hearing disorders were examined: 50 patients from 34 to 59 years old and 50 patients from 60 years and older, from which 32 patients were of older age (60 to 74 years old) and 18 of oldest age (75 to 86 years old). A degree of hearing loss was assessed according to results of pure tone audiometry. To study the quality of life all patients filled in the questionnaire MOS SF-36, which evaluates physical and psychological components of health, and the questionnaire HHIA(E)-S, designed specifically for patients with hearing disorders. The HHIA(E)-S scale was found to show high correlation with hearing loss degree in patients younger than 60 years old ( R =0,98 with statistically significant difference, p <0,05), with decreasing correlation in patients from 60 years and older ( R =0,98; no significant difference while assessing various hearing loss degrees). Considerable difficulties in this age group may be explained by the fact, that older and especially oldest patients have a challenge with hearing aids usage (or they are of low efficiency for them) and with assessing theirs difficulties on the questionnaire scales. The HHIA(E)-S scale is useful as a screening tool for early detection of hearing loss, referral of patients to an audiologist and prompt hearing aid fitting.

scholarly journals Survey of Hearing Aid Conditions for Hearing Impaired Persons While Driving

2020 ◽  
pp. 132-136
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Ikeda ◽  
Shigeyuki Minami
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Safe Driving ◽  
Actual Usage ◽  
Hearing Ability ◽  
Acquired Hearing Loss ◽  
The Impact

Hearing impaired persons are required to drive with hearing aids to supplement their hearing ability, however, there has not been sufficient discussion regarding the impact of the use of a hearing aid on driving a vehicle. In order to investigate the actual usage and driving conditions of using hearing aids while driving a vehicle, this paper uses a questionnaire to survey (1) how easy it is to drive when wearing hearing aids, and (2) how often hearing aids are not worn while driving. Concerning the ease of driving when wearing a hearing aid, it was suggested that people with congenital hearing loss were more likely to rely on visual information, and those with acquired hearing loss continue to use their experience of hearing. When the level of disability is high, it is difficult to drive when using the hearing aid, and when the disability level is low, it is easier to drive. Regarding the frequency of driving without wearing hearing aids, about 60 % of respondents had such an experience. Those who often drive without hearing aids had experienced headaches due to noise from wearing hearing aids compared to those who wear hearing aids at all times. Hearing aids are necessary assistive devices for hearing impaired persons to obtain hearing information, and to provide a safe driving environment. Therefore, this paper addresses issues to maintain a comfortable driving environment while wearing a hearing aid.

scholarly journals Hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss in adults

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie A Ferguson ◽  
Pádraig T Kitterick ◽  
Lee Yee Chong ◽  
Mark Edmondson-Jones ◽  
Fiona Barker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Moderate Hearing Loss

scholarly journals Applying the COM-B Model to Assess the Usability of Smartphone-Connected Listening Devices in Adults with Hearing Loss

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (05) ◽  
pp. 417-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Maidment ◽  
Yasmin H. K. Ali ◽  
Melanie A. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
Sound Amplification ◽  
Fine Tune ◽  
Moderate Hearing Loss

AbstractUnlike conventional hearing aids, smartphone-connected listening devices may require limited or no input from a trained audiologist in terms of device programming and adjustment. However, there is a lack of peer-reviewed evidence assessing the real-world perspectives of people living with hearing loss toward such technological innovations.This study assessed the everyday experiences of adults living with hearing loss toward a range of smartphone-connected listening devices using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour (COM-B) model as a theoretical framework.A qualitative study where participants trialed one of the following smartphone-connected listening devices for two weeks in their everyday lives: made-for-smartphone hearing aid, personal sound amplification product, and smartphone “hearing aid” app with wired earphones or wireless hearable. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted.Twenty adults (13 male and 7 female; mean age = 62.25 years, SD = 11.59) with mild-to-moderate hearing loss (mean better ear pure-tone average = 30.49 dB HL, SD = 17.51) were recruited using a convenience sampling strategy. All participants owned conventional hearing aids.The data were analyzed using an established deductive thematic analysis procedure within the context of the COM-B model. The model stipulates that for individuals to engage in a particular behavior (B), they must have sufficient capability (C), opportunity (O), and motivation (M). Capability: One of the key advantages facilitating use and adherence of smartphone-connected listening devices was the ability for participants to make fine-tune adjustments in any listening situation. Opportunity: Participants commented that these devices could address issues surrounding stigma as smartphones are ubiquitous in everyday life. Motivation: Participants consistently reported that the ability to make adjustments via a smartphone provided them with a greater sense of autonomy and empowerment. As a result, they felt more in control of their hearing loss.This study lays the foundation for further high-quality research to explore whether smartphone-connected technologies have the potential to yield optimum benefits for people living with hearing loss.

scholarly journals The Effect of Hearing Aids and Frequency Modulation Technology on Results from the Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (04) ◽  
pp. 250-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M. Lewis ◽  
Michael Valente ◽  
Jane Enrietto Horn ◽  
Carl Crandell
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Frequency Modulation ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Psychosocial Function ◽  
Communicative Strategies ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hearing Handicap ◽  
Clinically Significant

Hearing impairment has been associated with decline in psychosocial function. Previous investigations have reported that the utilization of hearing aids can ameliorate these reductions in psychosocial function. To date, few investigations have examined the effects of frequency modulation technology on hearing handicap, adjustment to hearing loss, and communicative strategies. The purpose of this investigation was to examine these effects and to compare them to the benefits obtained when using hearing aids alone. Subjects ranged in age from 34 to 81 years and had mean pure-tone thresholds consistent with a bilateral moderate to severe sloping sensorineural hearing loss. All subjects wore hearing aids only and hearing aids plus FM system in a randomized fashion. The Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired (CPHI) was administered prior to fitting the study devices and once a month for three months in each of the two conditions. A statistically significant difference between device conditions was obtained for the Importance of Communication in Work Situations subscale. Additionally, statistically significant differences over time were noted in several CPHI subscales. Despite statistical significance, none of these results were clinically significant. The implications of these results will be discussed.

scholarly journals Impact of early intervention of speech and language therapy among hearing impaired child

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 2641
Author(s):  
Rina Kumari ◽  
Sunita Tiwari ◽  
Arun Chatuvedi ◽  
Sunil Kumar ◽  
Nalini Rastogi
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Verbal Response ◽  
Speech And Language ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Lexical Development ◽  
Speech And Language Therapy ◽  
Impaired Children ◽  
Hearing Impaired Children

Background: Hearing impairment is a factor that directly compromises the individual’s language which can affect emotional and academic defects by delayed development of communicative ability. This can vary according to the type and degree of hearing loss. Speech therapy intervention is important, along with the use of sound amplification devices, so that the child may have a chance to develop speech, consequently learning and re-habilitation to the society. Aims of the present study was performed to assess the effectiveness of early intervention of speech and language therapy after use of hearing aids to hearing impaired children on their syntactic and lexical development.Methods: This quasi-experimental study conducted on 100 children having different degree of hearing loss at department of Neurology and department of ENT, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. After collecting socio-demographic data of subjects by observation, completion of questionnaires, and speech recording by audiologist; Speech and language therapy provide by audiologist for six month after providing hearing aids and improvement in their syntactic and lexical development recorded.Results: There is significant improvement in verbal response from 14% before therapy to 81% after therapy and non-verbal response before therapy was 86% and after therapy was 19%. Before giving speech and language therapy to subjects pointing score was 24%, sign language was 10% and words response was 0% which increases after therapy were 1%, 2% and 39% respectively. Early identified/intervened hearing-impaired children had a notable positive difference in all assessed lingual gains.Conclusions: This is study results definitely point to positive effects of intensive and continuous application of speech and language therapy to syntactic and lexical development of hearing impaired children.

scholarly journals Parent’s and teacher’s evaluation of aural oral performance of children with hearing aids

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fateme Zarrinpour ◽  
Nariman Rahbar ◽  
Seyyed Jalal Sameni
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Oral Performance ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Fitting Procedure ◽  
Significant Difference

Background and Aim: Parents' evaluation of aural/oral performance of children (PEACH) and teachers' evaluation of aural/oral performance of children (TEACH) questionnaires are used to assess the behaviors of hearing-impaired children in real-life situations. This study aims to compare the scores of PEACH and TEACH in children with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) using hearing aids. Methods: This is a double-blind two-period crossover study on 21 children aged 9-72 months with severe-to-profound SNHL using hearing aids. There were two 6-week periods of fitting Phonak Naida Venture SP hearing aids using the fifth version of the Desired Sensation Level (DSL v5) and the National Acoustics Laborato­ries’ nonlinear fitting procedure (NAL-NL2) pre­scriptions. At the end of each trial, the PEACH and TEACH questioners were completed through an interview with the parents and teachers, res­pectively. Results: There was a strong correlation between the PEACH and TEACH in total and subscale scores. There was no significant difference bet­ween the results of DSL v5 and the NAL-NL2 prescriptions for the total score and subscale scores of PEACH and TEACH. Conclusion: The PEACH score has a strong correlation with the TEACH score. These ques­tionnaires are useful tools for indirectly assess­ment of hearing-impaired children’s communi­cation skills. The DSL v5 and the NAL-NL2 prescriptions make no significant difference in the performance of children with severe-to-profound SNHL. Keywords: Aural oral performance; questionnaire; children; parents; hearing loss; functional performance

scholarly journals Pilot Comparison of Adjustment Protocols of Personal Sound Amplification Products

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (01) ◽  
pp. 026-036
Author(s):  
Antoinette Oliver ◽  
Nirmal Srinivasan ◽  
Frank Lin ◽  
Peggy Korczak ◽  
Nicholas Reed
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Direct To Consumer ◽  
Professional Outcomes ◽  
Fitting Procedures ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Sound Amplification ◽  
Moderate Hearing Loss

AbstractThe Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 was signed into law in August 2017 and facilitates the introduction of direct-to-consumer sales of hearing aids for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Among many questions surrounding over-the-counter sales is the ability of users to self-fit amplification. Many studies have conducted self-fitting procedures using guidance materials provided by audiologists. In this pilot, we explore the ability of users to self-adjust personal sound amplification devices using only materials provided by the manufacturer and contrast this with models that involve a hearing professional. Outcomes to assess adjustments included clinic-based speech-in-noise measures and ability to approximate NAL-NL2 prescriptive targets. We found that an audiologist-driven model provided the best outcomes. However, it is unknown if the difference is clinically meaningful.

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