scholarly journals Smartphones and Hearing Loss: There's an App for That!

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (04) ◽  
pp. 266-276
Author(s):  
Lori Zitelli ◽  
Elaine Mormer
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Smartphone Applications ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Smartphone Use

AbstractSmartphone use has become increasingly prevalent and patients are frequently using this technology to engage in health-related activities. There are a variety of smartphone applications that can be used to assist individuals with hearing loss, particularly during extreme situations such as a global pandemic which results in restricted face-to-face interactions. The hearing-related applications can be divided into four categories: (1) screening and assessment, (2) intervention and rehabilitation, (3) education and information, and (4) assistive tools. Several subcategories of applications in the assistive tools category are described that may be of interest to individuals with hearing loss, whether they wear hearing aids or not. Examples of the apps along with links are included for each subcategory.

scholarly journals Investigating the Impact of Hearing Aid Use and Auditory Training on Cognition, Depressive Symptoms, and Social Interaction in Adults With Hearing Loss: Protocol for a Crossover Trial (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Nkyekyer ◽  
Denny Meyer ◽  
Peter J Blamey ◽  
Andrew Pipingas ◽  
Sunil Bhar
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Auditory Training ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Hearing Aid Use

BACKGROUND Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit among older adults. Some of the psychosocial consequences of this condition include difficulty in understanding speech, depression, and social isolation. Studies have shown that older adults with hearing loss show some age-related cognitive decline. Hearing aids have been proven as successful interventions to alleviate sensorineural hearing loss. In addition to hearing aid use, the positive effects of auditory training—formal listening activities designed to optimize speech perception—are now being documented among adults with hearing loss who use hearing aids, especially new hearing aid users. Auditory training has also been shown to produce prolonged cognitive performance improvements. However, there is still little evidence to support the benefits of simultaneous hearing aid use and individualized face-to-face auditory training on cognitive performance in adults with hearing loss. OBJECTIVE This study will investigate whether using hearing aids for the first time will improve the impact of individualized face-to-face auditory training on cognition, depression, and social interaction for adults with sensorineural hearing loss. The rationale for this study is based on the hypothesis that, in adults with sensorineural hearing loss, using hearing aids for the first time in combination with individualized face-to-face auditory training will be more effective for improving cognition, depressive symptoms, and social interaction rather than auditory training on its own. METHODS This is a crossover trial targeting 40 men and women between 50 and 90 years of age with either mild or moderate symmetric sensorineural hearing loss. Consented, willing participants will be recruited from either an independent living accommodation or via a community database to undergo a 6-month intensive face-to-face auditory training program (active control). Participants will be assigned in random order to receive hearing aid (intervention) for either the first 3 or last 3 months of the 6-month auditory training program. Each participant will be tested at baseline, 3, and 6 months using a neuropsychological battery of computer-based cognitive assessments, together with a depression symptom instrument and a social interaction measure. The primary outcome will be cognitive performance with regard to spatial working memory. Secondary outcome measures include other cognition performance measures, depressive symptoms, social interaction, and hearing satisfaction. RESULTS Data analysis is currently under way and the first results are expected to be submitted for publication in June 2018. CONCLUSIONS Results from the study will inform strategies for aural rehabilitation, hearing aid delivery, and future hearing loss intervention trials. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03112850; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03112850 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xz12fD0B).

scholarly journals The Studying Multiple Outcomes After Aural Rehabilitative Treatment Study: Study Design and Baseline Results

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 233372141770494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingsheng Li ◽  
Caitlin Blake ◽  
Yoon Sung ◽  
Barnett Shpritz ◽  
David Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cochlear Implants ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Multiple Outcomes ◽  
Rehabilitative Treatment ◽  
Standardized Measures ◽  
Smart Study ◽  
Health Related

Hearing loss may affect critical domains of health and functioning in older adults. This article describes the rationale and design of the Studying Multiple Outcomes After Aural Rehabilitative Treatment (SMART) study, which was developed to determine to what extent current hearing rehabilitative therapies could mitigate the effects of hearing loss on health outcomes. One hundred and forty-five patients ≥50 years receiving hearing aids (HA) or cochlear implants (CI) were recruited from the Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology-HNS. A standardized outcome battery was administered to assess cognitive, social, mental, and physical functioning. Of the 145 participants aged 50 to 94.9 years who completed baseline evaluations, CI participants had significantly greater loneliness, social isolation, and poorer hearing and communicative function compared with HA participants. This study showed that standardized measures of health-related outcomes commonly used in gerontology appear sensitive to hearing impairment and are feasible to implement in clinical studies of hearing loss.

scholarly journals Topic Modeling for Analyzing Patients’ Perceptions and Concerns of Hearing Loss on Social Q&A Sites: Incorporating Patients’ Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6209
Author(s):  
Junghwa Bahng ◽  
Chang Heon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Latent Dirichlet Allocation ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Sudden Hearing Loss ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Online Health Community ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Patients Perspective

Hearing loss is the most common human sensory deficit, affecting normal communication. Recently, patients with hearing loss or at risk of hearing loss are increasingly turning to the online health community for health information and support. Information on health-related topics exchanged on the Internet is a useful resource to examine patients’ informational needs. The ability to understand the patients’ perspectives on hearing loss is critical for health professionals to develop a patient-centered intervention. In this paper, we apply Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) on electronic patient-authored questions on social question-and-answer (Q&A) sites to identify patients’ perceptions, concerns, and needs on hearing loss. Our results reveal 21 topics, which are both representative and meaningful, and mostly correspond to sub-fields established in hearing science research. The latent topics are classified into five themes, which include “sudden hearing loss”, “tinnitus”, “noise-induced hearing loss”, “hearing aids”, “dizziness”, “curiosity about hearing loss”, “otitis media” and “complications of disease”. Our topic analysis of patients’ questions on the topic of hearing loss allows achieving a thorough understanding of patients’ perspectives, thereby leading to better development of the patient-centered intervention.

Hearing Aids and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults With Hearing Loss

JAMA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 319 (21) ◽  
pp. 2225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pádraig T. Kitterick ◽  
Melanie A. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Follow-Up Care for Pediatric Hearing Aid Users at an Audiology Clinic in Malawi

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1809-1812
Author(s):  
Helen Brough ◽  
Tiwaope Kachaje
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Low Income Country ◽  
Follow Up Care ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss

Purpose Hearing loss can have a negative impact on a child's development. Hearing aids, if fitted appropriately, maintained well, and used regularly, can offer benefit to children with hearing loss. Regular reviews of hearing aid users can help to monitor a child's progress and provide timely intervention when problems arise or needs change. This study investigates the follow-up care received by children fitted with hearing aids at a clinic in Malawi. Method A clinical audit was done of the frequency of face-to-face follow-up appointments, following which all pediatric hearing aid users who had not recently received follow-up care were called to invite them for a review, and then a re-audit was conducted. Results Of the 47 children in the audit, 46 had not had a recent face-to-face follow-up appointment. Strenuous efforts were made to call those 46 children to the clinic for review: 20 caregivers agreed to bring their child for review, 10 of whom attended. It was not possible to contact 24 caregivers. Conclusions Reasons for low attendance for review at this service are not known, but may be related to the financial circumstances of the patients' families as well as difficulty in maintaining contact with families. It has not yet been possible to establish a system for routine follow-up care for pediatric hearing aid users at this well-established clinic in a low-income country.

scholarly journals Children with Hearing Loss Health-Related Quality of Life and Parental Perceptions

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Olga María Alegre de la Rosa ◽  
Luis Miguel Villar Angulo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Background Factors ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss

This study aimed to evaluate two objectives: first, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and socio-demographic characteristics of children with cochlear implants (CIs) or hearing aids (HAs) on the Kid-KINDLR_children_7-13 questionnaire, and second to analyze parental background factors and the perceptions of their children with CIs or HAs on the Kid_Kiddo-KINDLR_Parents_ 7-17 questionnaire. The data consisted of 89 children with CIs and 63 children with HAs and their 89 parents, respectively. The characteristics of children and the parental factors included demographic and audiological variables. Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the two objectives. Children with CIs exhibited a perception of better HRQoL in comparison with children with HAs. Among other differences, children with CIs or HAs and their parents were significantly distinct in the variable Setting (t = 2.921, p < 0.010). Moreover, parents of children with CIs or HAs were significantly different among them in some background factors (i.e., age, socioeconomic status, and learning). Children with CIs and their parents demonstrated a perception of better HRQoL than children with HAs and their parents. These findings added to the existing knowledge about the benefits of CIs for children with hearing loss. Parents of children with CIs noted the significance of social and emotional development as a marker of well-being in their children’s lives.

scholarly journals Digital Proficiency Is Not a Significant Barrier for Taking Up Hearing Services With a Hybrid Online and Face-to-Face Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 785-808
Author(s):  
Husmita Ratanjee-Vanmali ◽  
De Wet Swanepoel ◽  
Ariane Laplante-Lévesque
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Mobile Device ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Screening Test ◽  
Target Location ◽  
Care Model ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Computer Proficiency ◽  
Hearing Health

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the effect of self-perceived digital proficiency on the uptake of hearing services through a hybrid online and face-to-face hearing health care model. Method Adults were recruited via online methods to complete an online hearing screening test within the greater Durban area in South Africa. On submission of contact details after failing the screening, contact was made via telephone to assess readiness for further hearing care. If motivated and willing to continue, a face-to-face appointment for diagnostic hearing testing was confirmed, at which time an e-mail with an online mobile device and computer proficiency survey was sent. Hearing services were offered using combined online and face-to-face methods. Results Within 2 years (June 2017 to June 2019), 1,259 people from the target location submitted their details for the clinic audiologist to contact, of whom 931 participants (73.95%) failed the screening test. Of these participants, 5.69% (53/931, 57.41% men) attended a face-to-face diagnostic hearing evaluation. Mobile device and computer proficiency scores were not a predictor of acquiring hearing services. Age was the only significant predictor ( p = .018) for those continuing with hearing care. Patients who continued with hearing care by acquiring hearing aids and support services were older ( M = 73.63 years, SD = 11.62) and on average aware of their hearing loss for a longer time ( M = 14.71 years, SD = 15.77), as compared to those who discontinued hearing health care who were younger ( M = 59.21 years, SD = 14.42) and on average aware of their hearing loss for a shorter time ( M = 6.37 years, SD = 9.26). Conclusions Digital proficiency is not a predictor for acquiring hearing services through a hybrid online and face-to-face hearing care model. Hybrid services could allow professionals to assist patients in a combination of face-to-face and online services tailored to meet individual needs, including convenience and personalized care.

The Relationship Between Hearing Loss Self-Management and Hearing Aid Benefit and Satisfaction

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Convery ◽  
Gitte Keidser ◽  
Louise Hickson ◽  
Carly Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Hearing Aid Benefit ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Hearing loss self-management refers to the knowledge and skills people use to manage the effects of hearing loss on all aspects of their daily lives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-reported hearing loss self-management and hearing aid benefit and satisfaction. Method Thirty-seven adults with hearing loss, all of whom were current users of bilateral hearing aids, participated in this observational study. The participants completed self-report inventories probing their hearing loss self-management and hearing aid benefit and satisfaction. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between individual domains of hearing loss self-management and hearing aid benefit and satisfaction. Results Participants who reported better self-management of the effects of their hearing loss on their emotional well-being and social participation were more likely to report less aided listening difficulty in noisy and reverberant environments and greater satisfaction with the effect of their hearing aids on their self-image. Participants who reported better self-management in the areas of adhering to treatment, participating in shared decision making, accessing services and resources, attending appointments, and monitoring for changes in their hearing and functional status were more likely to report greater satisfaction with the sound quality and performance of their hearing aids. Conclusion Study findings highlight the potential for using information about a patient's hearing loss self-management in different domains as part of clinical decision making and management planning.

FM Verification for the 21 st Century

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leisha Eiten ◽  
Dawna Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Current Technology ◽  
The Past ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss

Background: For children with hearing loss, the benefits of FM systems in overcoming deleterious effects of noise, distance, and reverberation have led to recommendations for use beyond classroom settings. It is important that audiologists who recommend and fit these devices understand the rationale and procedures underlying fitting and verification. Objectives: This article reviews previousguidelines for FM verification, addresses technological advances, and introduces verification procedures appropriate for current FM and hearing-aid technology. Methods: Previous guidelines for verification of FM systems are reviewed. Those recommendations that are appropriate for current technology are addressed, as are procedures that are no longer adequate for hearing aids and FM systems utilizing more complex processing than in the past. Technological advances are discussed, and an updated approach to FM verification is proposed. Conclusions: Approaches to verification andfitting of FM systems must keep pace with advances in hearing-aid and FM technology. The transparency approach addressed in this paper is recommended for verification of FM systems coupled to hearing aids.

What Do We Want Them To Be When They Grow Up?

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-31
Author(s):  
Lyn Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Spoken Language ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Profound Hearing Loss ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss ◽  
Learning To Listen

Abstract Learning to listen and speak are well-established preludes for reading, writing, and succeeding in mainstream educational settings. Intangibles beyond the ubiquitous test scores that typically serve as markers for progress in children with hearing loss are embedded in descriptions of the educational and social development of four young women. All were diagnosed with severe-to-profound or profound hearing loss as toddlers, and all were fitted with hearing aids and given listening and spoken language therapy. Compiling stories across the life span provides insights into what we can be doing in the lives of young children with hearing loss.

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