scholarly journals Melodic Contour Training and Its Effect on Speech in Noise, Consonant Discrimination, and Prosody Perception for Cochlear Implant Recipients

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi Yhun Lo ◽  
Catherine M. McMahon ◽  
Valerie Looi ◽  
William F. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Auditory Training ◽  
Speech Prosody ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Melodic Contour ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Noisy Conditions

Cochlear implant (CI) recipients generally have good perception of speech in quiet environments but difficulty perceiving speech in noisy conditions, reduced sensitivity to speech prosody, and difficulty appreciating music. Auditory training has been proposed as a method of improving speech perception for CI recipients, and recent efforts have focussed on the potential benefits of music-based training. This study evaluated two melodic contour training programs and their relative efficacy as measured on a number of speech perception tasks. These melodic contours were simple 5-note sequences formed into 9 contour patterns, such as “rising” or “rising-falling.” One training program controlled difficulty by manipulating interval sizes, the other by note durations. Sixteen adult CI recipients (aged 26–86 years) and twelve normal hearing (NH) adult listeners (aged 21–42 years) were tested on a speech perception battery at baseline and then after 6 weeks of melodic contour training. Results indicated that there were some benefits for speech perception tasks for CI recipients after melodic contour training. Specifically, consonant perception in quiet and question/statement prosody was improved. In comparison, NH listeners performed at ceiling for these tasks. There was no significant difference between the posttraining results for either training program, suggesting that both conferred benefits for training CI recipients to better perceive speech.

scholarly journals Effect of “Spatially Separated Speech in Noise Training” on speech perception in noise in children with bimodal fitting

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Younes Lotfi ◽  
Mahdieh Hasanalifard ◽  
Abdollah Moossavi ◽  
Enayatollah Bakhshi ◽  
Mohammad Ajalloueyan
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Auditory Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Interventional Study ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Speech Perception In Noise ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Recognition Ability

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of “Spatially separated speech in noise” auditory training on the ability of speech perception in noise among bimodal fitting users. The assumption was that the rehabilitation can enhance spatial hearing and hence speech in noise perception. This study was an interventional study, with a pre/post-design. Speech recognition ability was assessed with the specific tests. After performing the rehabilitation stages in the intervention group, the speech tests were again implemented, and by comparing the pre- and post-intervention data, the effect of auditory training on the speech abilities was assessed. Twenty-four children of 8–12 years who had undergone cochlear implantation and continuously used bimodal fitting were investigated in two groups of control and intervention. Results The results showed a significant difference between the groups in different speech tests after the intervention, which indicated that the intervention group have improved more than the control group. Conclusion It can be concluded that “Spatially separated speech in noise” auditory training can improve the speech perception in noise in bimodal fitting users. In general, this rehabilitation method is useful for enhancing the speech in noise perception ability.

scholarly journals Development and evaluation of a computer-based auditory training program for rehabilitation of children with decoding deficit

2018 ◽  
pp. 143-149
Author(s):  
Azam Aghaie ◽  
Ali Akbar Tahaei ◽  
Farnoush Jarollahi ◽  
Mohammad Kamali
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Auditory Training ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Central Auditory Processing ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Computer Based

Background and Aim: Decoding deficit is the most common central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). Given the benefits of computer-based auditory training programs for treatment of central disorders and the lack of such programs in Persian language, this study aimed to develop a computer-based auditory training program for decoding skill. We also evaluated this program in 8 to12 year old children with CAPD.Methods: The first stage of research was to develop a computer-based auditory training program. This program consists of three levels of phonological discrimination, syllable discrimination, and word discrimination. The second stage was to determine the content and face validity of the program. The third stage was to assess the program effect on five children with decoding deficit. The research method was interventional and had a pretest and post-test design with another five children as control group. The staggered spondaic word, phonemic synthesis (PS) and speech in noise tests was used to assess the children performance before and after training.Results: Mean scores of staggered spondaic word (SSW) and PS tests of the experimental group were significantly difference before and after the auditory training (p<0.05) as compared to control group. However, there was no significant difference with regard to the speech-in-noise test results (p>0.05).Conclusion: This computer-based auditory training program can be considered as a preliminary tool for the rehabilitation and treatment of decoding deficits in children with CAPD.

Can a Remotely Delivered Auditory Training Program Improve Speech-in-Noise Understanding?

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey B. Abrams ◽  
Kirsten Bock ◽  
Ryan L. Irey
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Auditory Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Time On Task ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Hearing In Noise ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Noise Test

PurposeThe aims of this study were to determine if a remotely delivered, Internet-based auditory training (AT) program improved speech-in-noise understanding and if the number of hours spent engaged in the program influenced postintervention speech-in-noise understanding.MethodTwenty-nine first-time hearing aid users were randomized into an AT group (hearing aids + 3 week remotely delivered, Internet-based auditory training program) or a control group (hearing aids alone). The Hearing in Noise Test (Nilsson, Soli, & Sullivan, 1994) and the Words-in-Noise test (Wilson, 2003) were administered to both groups at baseline + 1 week and immediately at the completion of the 3 weeks of auditory training.ResultsSpeech-in-noise understanding improved for both groups at the completion of the study; however, there was not a statistically significant difference in postintervention improvement between the AT and control groups. Although the number of hours the participants engaged in the AT program was far fewer than prescribed, time on task influenced the postintervention Words-in-Noise but not Hearing in Noise Test scores.ConclusionAlthough remotely delivered, Internet-based AT programs represent an attractive alternative to resource-intensive, clinic-based interventions, their demonstrated efficacy continues to remain a challenge due in part to issues associated with compliance.

scholarly journals The effect of a coding strategy that removes temporally masked pulses on speech perception by cochlear implant users

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wiebke Lamping ◽  
Tobias Goehring ◽  
Jeremy Marozeau ◽  
Robert P. Carlyon
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Average Power ◽  
Decision Criterion ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Current Pulses ◽  
Temporal Integrator ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Temporal Masking

Speech recognition in noisy environments remains a challenge for cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Unwanted charge interactions between current pulses in the same and across different electrode channels are likely to impair performance. Here we investigate the effect of reducing the number of current pulses on speech perception. This was achieved by implementing a psychoacoustic temporal-masking model where current pulses in each channel were passed through a temporal integrator to identify and remove pulses that were less likely to be perceived by the recipient. The decision criterion of the temporal integrator was varied to control the percentage of pulses removed in each condition. In experiment 1, speech in quiet was processed with a standard Continuous Interleaved Sampling (CIS) strategy and with 25, 50 and 75% of pulses removed. In experiment 2, performance was measured for speech in noise with the CIS reference and with 50 and 75% of pulses removed. Speech intelligibility in quiet revealed no significant difference between reference and test conditions. For speech in noise, results showed a significant improvement of 2.4 dB when removing 50% of pulses. Performance both in quiet and in noise was not significantly different between the reference and when 75% of pulses were removed. Further, by reducing the overall amount of current pulses by 25, 50, and 75% but accounting for the increase in charge necessary to compensate for the decrease in loudness, estimated average power savings of 21.15, 40.95, and 63.45%, respectively, could be possible for this set of listeners. In conclusion, removing temporally masked pulses may improve speech perception in noise and result in substantial power savings.

scholarly journals Application of Wireless Contralateral Routing of Signal Technology in Unilateral Cochlear Implant Users with Bilateral Profound Hearing Loss

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (07) ◽  
pp. 579-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hillary A. Snapp ◽  
Michael E. Hoffer ◽  
Anthony Spahr ◽  
Suhrud Rajguru
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Profound Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Bonferroni Adjustment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hearing Outcomes

AbstractThe aim of the study was to determine if contralateral routing of signal (CROS) technology results in improved hearing outcomes in unilateral cochlear implant (CI) patients and provides similar gains in speech perception in noise to traditional monaural listeners (MLs).The study is a prospective, within-subject repeated-measures experiment.Adult, English-speaking patients with bilateral severe–profound sensorineural hearing loss using an Advanced Bionics CI (n = 12) in one ear were enrolled for the study.Hearing performance in the monaural listening condition (CI only) was compared with the CROS-aided (unilateral CI + CROS) condition. Participants were tested for speech-in-noise performance using the Bamford-Kowal-Bench Speech-in-Noise™ test materials in the speech front/noise front (0 degrees/0 degrees azimuth), speech front/noise back (0 degrees/180 degrees azimuth), speech deaf ear/noise monaural ear (90 degrees/270 degrees azimuth), and speech monaural ear/noise deaf ear (90 degrees/270 degrees azimuth) configurations. Localization error was assessed using three custom stimuli consisting of 1/3 octave narrowband noises centered at 500 and 4000 Hz and a broadband speech stimulus. Localization stimuli were presented at random in the front hemifield by 19 speakers spatially separated by 10 degrees. Outcomes were compared with a previously described group of traditional MLs in the CROS-aided condition (normal hearing ear + CROS).All participants were tested acutely with no adaptation to the CROS device. Statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests for nonparametric data and paired sample. Statistical significance was set to p < 0.00625 after Bonferroni adjustment for eight tests.Significant benefit was observed from unaided to the CI + CROS–aided condition for listening in noise across most listening conditions with the greatest benefit observed in the speech deaf ear/noise monaural ear (90 degrees/270 degrees azimuth) condition (p < 0.0005). When compared with traditional MLs, no significant difference in decibel gain from the unaided to CROS-aided conditions was observed between participant groups. There was no improvement in localization ability in the CROS-aided condition for either participant group and no significant difference in performance between traditional MLs and unilateral CI listeners.These findings support that unilateral CI users are capable of achieving similar gains in speech perception to that of traditional MLs with wireless CROS. These results indicate that the use of wireless CROS stimulation in unilateral CI recipients provides increased benefit and an additional rehabilitative option for this population when bilateral implantation is not possible. The results suggest that noninvasive CROS solutions can successfully rehabilitate certain monaural listening deficits, provide improved hearing outcomes, and expand the reach of treatment in this population.

Effect of Different Signal-Processing Options on Speech-in-Noise Recognition for Cochlear Implant Recipients with the Cochlear CP810 Speech Processor

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (04) ◽  
pp. 367-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa G. Potts ◽  
Kelly A. Kolb
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Speech Processing ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Noise Cancellation ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Speech Processor ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Directional Filtering ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Db Difference

Background: Difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background noise is a common report among cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Several speech-processing options designed to improve speech recognition, especially in noise, are currently available in the Cochlear Nucleus CP810 speech processor. These include adaptive dynamic range optimization (ADRO), autosensitivity control (ASC), Beam, and Zoom. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate CI recipients’ speech-in-noise recognition to determine which currently available processing option or options resulted in best performance in a simulated restaurant environment. Research Design: Experimental study with one study group. The independent variable was speech-processing option, and the dependent variable was the reception threshold for sentences score. Study Sample: Thirty-two adult CI recipients. Intervention: Eight processing options were tested: Beam, Beam + ASC, Beam + ADRO, Beam + ASC + ADRO, Zoom, Zoom + ASC, Zoom + ADRO, and Zoom + ASC + ADRO. Data Collection and Analysis: Participants repeated Hearing in Noise Test sentences presented at a 0° azimuth, with R-Space restaurant noise presented from a 360° eight-loudspeaker array at 70 dB sound pressure level. A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze differences in Beam options, Zoom options, and Beam versus Zoom options. Results: Among the Beam options, Beam + ADRO was significantly poorer than Beam only, Beam + ASC, and Beam + ASC + ADRO. A 1.6-dB difference was observed between the best (Beam only) and poorest (Beam + ADRO) options. Among the Zoom options, Zoom only and Zoom + ADRO were significantly poorer than Zoom + ASC. A 2.2-dB difference was observed between the best (Zoom + ASC) and poorest (Zoom only) options. The comparison between Beam and Zoom options showed one significant difference, with Zoom only significantly poorer than Beam only. No significant difference was found between the other Beam and Zoom options (Beam + ASC vs Zoom + ASC, Beam + ADRO vs Zoom + ADRO, and Beam + ASC + ADRO vs Zoom + ASC + ADRO). The best processing option varied across subjects, with an almost equal number of participants performing best with a Beam option (n = 15) compared with a Zoom option (n = 17). There were no significant demographic or audiological moderating variables for any option. Conclusions: The results showed no significant differences between adaptive directionality (Beam) and fixed directionality (Zoom) when ASC was active in the R-Space environment. This finding suggests that noise-reduction processing is extremely valuable in loud semidiffuse environments in which the effectiveness of directional filtering might be diminished. However, there was no significant difference between the Beam-only and Beam + ASC options, which is most likely related to the additional noise cancellation performed by the Beam option (i.e., two-stage directional filtering and noise cancellation). In addition, the processing options with ADRO resulted in the poorest performances. This could be related to how the CI recipients were programmed or the loud noise level used in this study. The best processing option varied across subjects, but the majority performed best with directional filtering (Beam or Zoom) in combination with ASC. Therefore in a loud semidiffuse environment, the use of either Beam + ASC or Zoom + ASC is recommended.

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A METHOD TO ENHANCE AUDITORY ATTENTION DURING CONTINUOUS SPEECH-SHAPED NOISE ENVIRONMENT

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (06) ◽  
pp. 1950048
Author(s):  
YIHANG DU ◽  
WEINING FANG ◽  
HANZHAO QIU
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Selective Attention ◽  
Target Tracking ◽  
Auditory Training ◽  
Auditory Target ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Continuous Speech ◽  
Noise Environment ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Complex Procedure

Auditory training (AT) may strengthen auditory skills that help human not only in on-task auditory perception performance but in continuous speech-shaped noise (SSN) environment. AT based on musical material has provided some evidence for an “auditory advantage” in understanding speech-in-noise (SIN), but with a long period training and complex procedure. Experimental research is essential to develop a simplified method named auditory target tracking training (ATT) which refined from musical material is necessary to determine the benefits of training. We developed two kinds of refined AT method: basic auditory target tracking (BAT) training and enhanced auditory target tracking (EAT) training to adult participants ([Formula: see text]) separately for 20 units, assessing performance to perceive speech in noise environment after training. The EAT group presented better speech perception performance than the other groups and no significant differences between BAT group and control group. The training effect of EAT is the most significant when uni-gender SSN and [Formula: see text] dB. Outcomes suggest that efficacy of trained EAT can improve speech perception performance and selective attention during SSN environment. These findings provide an important link between musical-based training and auditory selective attention in real-world, and extended to special vocational training.

scholarly journals Study of Acute and Sub-Acute Effects of Auditory Training on the Central Auditory Processing in Older Adults with Hearing Loss—A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (14) ◽  
pp. 4944
Author(s):  
Carla Matos Silva ◽  
Carolina Fernandes ◽  
Clara Rocha ◽  
Telmo Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Auditory Training ◽  
Central Auditory Processing ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Noise Test ◽  
Group 1

Background: Impairment in speech perception is a common feature of older adults. This study aimed at evaluating the acute and sub-acute (after three months) effects of auditory training on central auditory processing in older people with hearing loss. Methods: A nonrandomized study was conducted enrolling 15 older adults with hearing loss and an average age of 78.6 ± 10.9 years. All participants underwent a baseline otoscopy, tympanogram, audiogram and speech-in-noise test with a signal-noise ratio (SNR) of 10 and 15 dB. Afterwards, auditory training intervention was implemented consisting of 10 training sessions over 5 weeks. Participants were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1) underwent auditory training based on a speech-in-noise test; group 2 (G2) underwent a filtered-speech test. Auditory processing was evaluated at baseline (T0) immediately after the intervention (T1) and 3 months after the intervention (T2). Results: Group 1 were quite efficient regardless of the SNR in the right ear with statistically significant differences from T0 to T1 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006 for 10 dB and 15 dB, respectively) and T0 to T2 (p = 0.011 and 0.015 for 10 dB and 15 dB, respectively). As for the left ear, the increase of success was statistically significant for the SNR of 10 dB and 15 dB from T0 to T1 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively) and from T0 to T2 (p = 0.016 and p = 0.003). In G2, there was a significant variation only from T0 for T1 in the left ear for an SNR of 10 dB (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Speech perception in noise significantly improved after auditory training in old adults.

scholarly journals Benefits of Localization and Speech Perception with Multiple Noise Sources in Listeners with a Short-Electrode Cochlear Implant

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (01) ◽  
pp. 044-051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille C. Dunn ◽  
Ann Perreau ◽  
Bruce Gantz ◽  
Richard S. Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Noise Sources ◽  
Speech Perception In Noise ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Array Performance

Background: Research suggests that for individuals with significant low-frequency hearing, implantation of a short-electrode cochlear implant may provide benefits of improved speech perception abilities. Because this strategy combines acoustic and electrical hearing within the same ear while at the same time preserving low-frequency residual acoustic hearing in both ears, localization abilities may also be improved. However, very little research has focused on the localization and spatial hearing abilities of users with a short-electrode cochlear implant. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate localization abilities for listeners with a short-electrode cochlear implant who continue to wear hearing aids in both ears. A secondary purpose was to document speech perception abilities using a speech-in-noise test with spatially separate noise sources. Research Design: Eleven subjects that utilized a short-electrode cochlear implant and bilateral hearing aids were tested on localization and speech perception with multiple noise locations using an eight-loudspeaker array. Performance was assessed across four listening conditions using various combinations of cochlear implant and/or hearing aid use. Results: Results for localization showed no significant difference between using bilateral hearing aids and bilateral hearing aids plus the cochlear implant. However, there was a significant difference between the bilateral hearing aid condition and the implant plus use of a contralateral hearing aid for all 11 subjects. Results for speech perception showed a significant benefit when using bilateral hearing aids plus the cochlear implant over use of the implant plus only one hearing aid. Conclusion: Combined use of both hearing aids and the cochlear implant show significant benefits for both localization and speech perception in noise for users with a short-electrode cochlear implant. These results emphasize the importance of low-frequency information in two ears for the purpose of localization and speech perception in noise.

scholarly journals Auditory-Cognitive Training For Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients: A Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake J Lawrence ◽  
Robert H Eikelboom ◽  
Dona M.P. Jayakody
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Auditory Training ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background: There is an urgent need to develop new therapies to improve cognitive function in adults following cochlear implant surgery. This study aims to determine if completing at-home computer-based brain training activities improve memory and thinking skills in adults following their first cochlear implant. Methods: This study will be conducted as a single-blind, head-to-head, randomised controlled trial (RCT). It will determine whether auditory training combined with adaptive computerised cognitive training will elicit greater improvement in cognition, sound and speech perception, mood, and quality of life outcomes in adult cochlear implant recipients, when compared to auditory training combined with non-adaptive (i.e., placebo) computerised cognitive training. Participants 18 years or older who meet the clinical criteria for a cochlear implant will be recruited into the study. Results: The results of this trial will clarify whether the auditory training combined with cognitive training will improve cognition, sound and speech perception, mood, and quality of life outcomes in adult cochlear implant recipients. Discussion: We anticipate that our findings will have implications for clinical practice in the treatment of adult cochlear implant recipients.Trial registration: ANZ clinical trial registration: ACTRN12619000609156

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document