scholarly journals Effect of sound amplification in speech perception in elderly with and without tinnitus

CoDAS ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiago de Melo Araujo ◽  
Maria Cecília Martinelli Iório
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Acoustic Stimulation ◽  
Elderly Individuals ◽  
Auditory Prostheses ◽  
Sound Amplification ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Better Than

PURPOSE: To verify the effect of the use of auditory prostheses on speech perception tests in elderly individuals with and without tinnitus having hearing impairment.METHODS: We evaluated 24 elderly patients with moderate sensorineural hearing loss, aged between 60 and 70 years, distributed into two groups according to the presence or absence of tinnitus. All of them were fitted with micro-canal auditory prostheses from the same manufacturer and model, and underwent speech perception tests. The assessments were performed with and without the amplification devices after 1 and 3 months of effective use. For data analysis, Mann-Whitney test was used.RESULTS: Elderly people from the tinnitus group presented lower performance in speech perception tests than those from the group without tinnitus. In the evaluations with the devices, the performance of both groups was better than when they were evaluated without hearing aids.CONCLUSION: The acoustic stimulation through the effective use of hearing aids produced better speech perception, regardless of the presence of tinnitus.

scholarly journals Electric and Acoustic Stimulation in Cochlear Implant Recipients with Hearing Preservation

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (04) ◽  
pp. 414-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Welch ◽  
Margaret Dillon ◽  
Harold Pillsbury
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Hearing Preservation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Acoustic Stimulation ◽  
Electric Hearing

AbstractHearing loss affects 30 million people in the United States, and a subset of these patients have normal low-frequency hearing and ski-sloped high-frequency hearing loss. For these patients, hearing aids alone may not provide adequate benefit. Cochlear implantation alone has been utilized to improve speech perception. The addition of high-frequency electric hearing to low-frequency acoustic hearing in these patients is beneficial. Technical improvements have allowed preservation of low-frequency hearing in cochlear implant recipients, allowing for electric and acoustic stimulation in the same ear with significant improvements in speech perception, sound localization, music appreciation, and quality of life.

A Role for Acoustic Stimulation in Advanced Otosclerosis: Direct Acoustic Cochlear Implant versus Cochlear Implant

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-97
Author(s):  
Nicolas Verhaert ◽  
Charlotte Borgers ◽  
Katleen De Voecht ◽  
Ellen Boon ◽  
Christian Desloovere
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Acoustic Stimulation ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Effective Treatment Option ◽  
Computed Tomographic ◽  
Direct Acoustic Cochlear Implant ◽  
Acoustic Component

Recent findings support the efficacy of the direct acoustic cochlear implant (DACI) in patients with advanced otosclerosis whose rehabilitation is very challenging. Standard treatment consists of stapes surgery combined with hearing aids or a cochlear implant (CI). CI surgery, however, is often challenging depending on the grade of otosclerosis. This study aims to compare speech perception scores in quiet and noise of 6 DACI and 12 CI patients with advanced otosclerosis at 3 and 12 months after fitting. Preoperative computed tomographic scans of all patients were scored by experts using an existing otosclerosis grading system (stages 1–3). Speech perception in quiet was significantly better for DACI compared to CI users at 3 months after fitting. At 12 months, no difference was found between DACI and CI patients. Speech perception scores in noise were significantly better in the DACI group. In summary, a DACI system seems to provide an effective treatment option as the acoustic component can be preserved in patients with advanced otosclerosis.

scholarly journals Unilateral hearing loss and the use of hearing aid: speech recognition, benefit, self-perception of functional performance and satisfaction

Revista CEFAC ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidiéli Dalla Costa ◽  
Sinéia Neujahr dos Santos ◽  
Maristela Julio Costa
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Brazilian Portuguese ◽  
Unilateral Hearing Loss ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Sound Amplification

ABSTRACT Purpose: to investigate speech recognition in silence and in noise in subjects with unilateral hearing loss with and without hearing aids, and to analyze the benefit, self-perception of functional performance, satisfaction and the use of hearing aids in these subjects. Methods: eleven adults with unilateral, mixed and sensorineural, mild to severe hearing loss participated in this study. Speech recognition was evaluated by the Brazilian Portuguese sentences lists test; functional performance of the hearing was assessed by using the Speech Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale questionnaire; satisfaction was assessed by the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life questionnaire, both in Brazilian Portuguese; and to assess the use of hearing aids, the patient's report was analyzed. Results: the adaptation of hearing aids provided benefits in speech recognition in all positions evaluated, both in silence and in noise. The subjects did not report major limitations in communication activities with the use of hearing aids. They were satisfied with the use of sound amplification. Most of the subjects did not use hearing aids, effectively. The discontinuity of hearing aids use can be justified by the difficulty on perceiving participation’s restriction caused by hearing loss, as well as the benefit of the hearing aid, besides the concern with batteries’ costs and aesthetic aspects. Conclusion: although showing benefits in speech recognition, in silence and in noise, and satisfaction with sound amplification, most subjects with unilateral hearing loss do not effectively use hearing aids.

Cochlear Implantation in Children with Postlingual Progressive Steeply Sloping High-Frequency Hearing Loss

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 913-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret A. Meredith ◽  
Jay T. Rubinstein ◽  
Kathleen C. Y. Sie ◽  
Susan J. Norton
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Cochlear Implantation ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Hearing Preservation ◽  
Rapid Improvement ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Monosyllabic Word

Background: Children with steeply sloping sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) lack access to critical high-frequency cues despite the use of advanced hearing aid technology. In addition, their auditory-only aided speech perception abilities often meet Food and Drug Administration criteria for cochlear implantation. Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe hearing preservation and speech perception outcomes in a group of young children with steeply sloping SNHL who received a cochlear implant (CI). Research Design: Retrospective case series. Study Sample: Eight children with steeply sloping postlingual progressive SNHL who received a unilateral traditional CI at Seattle Children’s Hospital between 2009 and 2013 and had follow-up data available up to 24 mo postimplant were included. Data Collection and Analysis: A retrospective chart review was completed. Medical records were reviewed for demographic information, preoperative and postoperative behavioral hearing thresholds, and speech perception scores. Paired t tests were used to analyze speech perception data. Hearing preservation results are reported. Results: Rapid improvement of speech perception scores was observed within the first month postimplant for all participants. Mean monosyllabic word scores were 76% and mean phoneme scores were 86.7% at 1-mo postactivation compared to mean preimplant scores of 19.5% and 31.0%, respectively. Hearing preservation was observed in five participants out to 24-mo postactivation. Two participants lost hearing in both the implanted and unimplanted ear, and received a sequential bilateral CI in the other ear after progression of the hearing loss. One participant had a total loss of hearing in only the implanted ear. Results reported in this article are from the ear implanted first. Bilateral outcomes are not reported. Conclusions: CIs provided benefit for children with steeply sloping bilateral hearing loss for whom hearing aids did not provide adequate auditory access. In our cohort, significant improvements in speech understanding occurred rapidly postactivation. Preservation of residual hearing in children with a traditional CI electrode is possible.

scholarly journals Hearing Rehabilitation through Bone-Conducted Sound Stimulation: Preliminary Results

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (01) ◽  
pp. 012-017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fayez Bahmad Jr ◽  
Carolina Cardoso ◽  
Fernanda Caldas ◽  
Monique Barreto ◽  
Anacléia Hilgenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissue ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Free Field ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Skin Impedance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After

Introduction The bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a bone conduction system that transmits the sound directly to the inner ear by surpassing the skin impedance and the subcutaneous tissue. It is indicated for patients with mixed, conductive and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss who did not benefit from conventional hearing aids (HAs). Although the benefits from BAHA are well demonstrated internationally, this field still lacks studies in Brazil. Objective To assess the auditory rehabilitation process in BAHA users through audiological, speech perception and tinnitus aspects. Methods Individuals with hearing loss were assessed before and after the implantation. The participants were subjected to pure tone audiometry in free field, functional gain audiometry, speech perception tests, tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) in open format, and to the visual analog scale (VAS). Results It was found that the participants benefited from the use of BAHA. The difference in the performance of the participants before and after the BAHA surgery was significant in terms of hearing acuity. There was no statistically significant difference in the speech perception tests. The tinnitus assessment showed that 80% of the participants scored slight tinnitus severity in THI after using a BAHA. Eighty percent of the participants classified their tinnitus as absent to mild in the VAS after the surgery. Conclusion Based on the results of the current study, we can conclude that the participants improved both the auditory perception and the tinnitus handicap.

scholarly journals Evidence of Acclimatization in Persons with Severe-to-Profound Hearing Loss

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (02) ◽  
pp. 084-099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis K. Kuk ◽  
Lisa Potts ◽  
Michael Valente ◽  
Lidia Lee ◽  
Jay Picirrillo
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Profound Hearing Loss ◽  
Secondary Purpose ◽  
Objective Performance ◽  
Recognition Testing ◽  
The One ◽  
Better Than

The present study examined the phenomenon of acclimatization in persons with a severe-to-profound hearing loss. A secondary purpose was to examine the efficacy of a digital nonlinear power hearing aid that has a low compression threshold with expansion for this population. Twenty experienced hearing aid users wore the study hearing aids for three months and their performance with the study hearing aids was evaluated at the initial fitting, one month, and three months after the initial fitting. Performance of their current hearing aids was also evaluated at the initial fitting. Speech recognition testing was conducted at input levels of 50 dB SPL and 65 dB SPL in quiet, and 75 dB SPL in noise at a +10 SNR. Questionnaires were used to measure subjective performance at each evaluation interval. The results showed improvement in speech recognition score at the one-month evaluation over the initial evaluation. No significant improvement was seen at the three-month evaluation from the one-month visit. In addition, subjective and objective performance of the study hearing aids was significantly better than the participants' own hearing aids at all evaluation intervals. These results provided evidence of acclimatization in persons with a severe-to-profound hearing loss and reinforced the precaution that any trial of amplification, especially from linear to nonlinear mode, should consider this phenomenon.

scholarly journals Listener Performance with a Novel Hearing Aid Frequency Lowering Technique

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (09) ◽  
pp. 810-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. Kirby ◽  
Judy G. Kopun ◽  
Meredith Spratford ◽  
Clairissa M. Mollak ◽  
Marc A. Brennan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Processing ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Processing Strategy ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
At Home

AbstractSloping hearing loss imposes limits on audibility for high-frequency sounds in many hearing aid users. Signal processing algorithms that shift high-frequency sounds to lower frequencies have been introduced in hearing aids to address this challenge by improving audibility of high-frequency sounds.This study examined speech perception performance, listening effort, and subjective sound quality ratings with conventional hearing aid processing and a new frequency-lowering signal processing strategy called frequency composition (FC) in adults and children.Participants wore the study hearing aids in two signal processing conditions (conventional processing versus FC) at an initial laboratory visit and subsequently at home during two approximately six-week long trials, with the order of conditions counterbalanced across individuals in a double-blind paradigm.Children (N = 12, 7 females, mean age in years = 12.0, SD = 3.0) and adults (N = 12, 6 females, mean age in years = 56.2, SD = 17.6) with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss who were full-time hearing aid users.Individual performance with each type of processing was assessed using speech perception tasks, a measure of listening effort, and subjective sound quality surveys at an initial visit. At the conclusion of each subsequent at-home trial, participants were retested in the laboratory. Linear mixed effects analyses were completed for each outcome measure with signal processing condition, age group, visit (prehome versus posthome trial), and measures of aided audibility as predictors.Overall, there were few significant differences in speech perception, listening effort, or subjective sound quality between FC and conventional processing, effects of listener age, or longitudinal changes in performance. Listeners preferred FC to conventional processing on one of six subjective sound quality metrics. Better speech perception performance was consistently related to higher aided audibility.These results indicate that when high-frequency speech sounds are made audible with conventional processing, speech recognition ability and listening effort are similar between conventional processing and FC. Despite the lack of benefit to speech perception, some listeners still preferred FC, suggesting that qualitative measures should be considered when evaluating candidacy for this signal processing strategy.

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.

Hearing Impaired Children's Preference for, and Performance with, Four Combinations of Directional Microphone and Digital Noise Reduction Technology

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (09) ◽  
pp. 832-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea L. Pittman ◽  
Mollie M. Hiipakka
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Noise Reduction ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Directional Hearing ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Noise Management

Background: Before advanced noise-management features can be recommended for use in children with hearing loss, evidence regarding their ability to use these features to optimize speech perception is necessary. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between children's preference for, and performance with, four combinations of noise-management features in noisy listening environments. Research Design: Children with hearing loss were asked to repeat short sentences presented in steady-state noise or in multitalker babble while wearing ear-level hearing aids. The aids were programmed with four memories having an orthogonal arrangement of two noise-management features. The children were also asked to indicate the hearing aid memory that they preferred in each of the listening conditions both initially and after a short period of use. Study Sample: Fifteen children between the ages of 8 and 12 yr with moderate hearing losses, bilaterally. Results: The children's preference for noise management aligned well with their performance for at least three of the four listening conditions. The configuration of noise-management features had little effect on speech perception with the exception of reduced performance for speech originating from behind the child while in a directional hearing aid setting. Additionally, the children's preference appeared to be governed by listening comfort, even under conditions for which a benefit was not expected such as the use of digital noise reduction in the multitalker babble conditions. Conclusions: The results serve as evidence in support of the use of noise-management features in grade-school children as young as 8 yr of age.

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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