Efficacy and viability of an algorithm to improve speech understanding in noise for the hearing impaired

2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
pp. 2042-2042
Author(s):  
Eric W. Healy
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Gawliczek ◽  
Wilhelm Wimmer ◽  
Fabio Munzinger ◽  
Marco Caversaccio ◽  
Martin Kompis

Objective. To measure the audiological benefit of the Baha SoundArc, a recently introduced nonimplantable wearing option for bone conduction sound processor, and to compare it with the known softband wearing option in subjects with normal cochlear function and a purely conductive bilateral hearing loss.Methods. Both ears of 15 normal hearing subjects were occluded for the time of the measurement, yielding an average unaided threshold of 49 dB HL (0.5 – 4 kHz). Soundfield thresholds, speech understanding in quiet and in noise, and sound localization were measured in unaided conditions and with 1 or 2 Baha 5 sound processors mounted on either a softband or a SoundArc device.Results. Soundfield thresholds and speech reception thresholds were improved by 19.5 to 24.8 dB (p<.001), when compared to the unaided condition. Speech reception thresholds in noise were improved by 3.7 to 4.7 dB (p<.001). Using 2 sound processors rather than one improved speech understanding in noise for speech from the direction of the2nddevice and sound localization error by 23° to 28°. No statistically significant difference was found between the SoundArc and the softband wearing options in any of the tests.Conclusions. Bone conduction sound processor mounted on a SoundArc or on a softband resulted in considerable improvements in hearing and speech understanding in subjects with a simulated, purely conductive, and bilateral hearing loss. No significant difference between the 2 wearing options was found. Using 2 sound processors improves sound localization and speech understanding in noise in certain spatial settings.


2015 ◽  
Vol 273 (5) ◽  
pp. 1107-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geert De Ceulaer ◽  
Julie Bestel ◽  
Hans E. Mülder ◽  
Felix Goldbeck ◽  
Sebastien Pierre Janssens de Varebeke ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 1702-1708 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Theo Goverts ◽  
Elke Huysmans ◽  
Sophia E. Kramer ◽  
Annette M. B. de Groot ◽  
Tammo Houtgast

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (03) ◽  
pp. 168-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda C. Freyaldenhoven ◽  
Patrick N. Plyler ◽  
James W. Thelin ◽  
Anna K. Nabelek ◽  
Samuel B. Burchfield

The present study investigated the effects of gain compensation and venting on front-to-back ratios (FBRs), speech understanding in noise, and acceptance of noise in 19 listeners with hearing impairment utilizing directional hearing instruments. The participants were separated into two groups based on degree of low-frequency hearing sensitivity. Subjects were fitted binaurally with Starkey Axent II programmable behind-the-ear hearing aids and full-shell earmolds (select-a-vent). Results demonstrated that gain compensation and venting significantly affected FBRs for both groups; however, acceptance of noise was not significantly affected by gain compensation or venting for either group. Results further demonstrated that speech understanding in noise was unaffected by venting but may be improved with the use of gain compensation for some listeners. Clinical implications are discussed.


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