scholarly journals The effect of hearing amplification on tinnitus improvement

Author(s):  
Sara Bahaghighat ◽  
Saeid Farahani ◽  
Reza Hoseinabadi ◽  
Shohreh Jalaie

Background and Aim: Using hearing aids is one of the most important management methods for patients with hearing loss and tinnitus. Many studies have been conducted to assess the effect of hearing aids on tinnitus using different tools, but there is no consensus on their usefulness and effect in relieving tinnitus. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of hearing amplification on tinnitus using the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and tinnitus psychoacoustic measurements.Methods: A total of 10 patients (5 male and 5 female), aged 39 to 70 years old with mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss (amplifiable hearing loss) and chronic tinnitus entered the study. The Persian version of the THI was completed for the patients and tinnitus psychoacoustic measurements, the visual analogue scale (VAS) loudness, and the annoyance VAS were performed. The patients used hearing aids for six weeks, and measurements were repeated after the intervention.Results: Comparing the total mean score of all of the study variables before and after the intervention showed significant reductions (p<0.05). Based on tinnitus pitch matching, no significant difference was observed in mean score changes in the THI between low-pitch and high-pitch groups.Conclusion: Improvement was observed in tinnitus annoyance after using hearing aids for 6 weeks. Tinnitus pitch is not a good criterion for determining tinnitus treatment prognosis.

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (01) ◽  
pp. 012-017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fayez Bahmad Jr ◽  
Carolina Cardoso ◽  
Fernanda Caldas ◽  
Monique Barreto ◽  
Anacléia Hilgenberg ◽  
...  

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.


CoDAS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Fernanda Capoani Garcia Mondelli ◽  
Marina De Marchi dos Santos ◽  
Mariza Ribeiro Feniman

ABSTRACT Purpose To assess the hearing abilities of temporal ordering, temporal resolution and sound localization before and after the fitting of a hearing aid (HA) in individuals with unilateral hearing loss (UHL). Methods There were evaluated 22 subjects, aged 18 to 60 years, diagnosed with sensorineural or mixed UHL, from mild to severe degrees. The study was divided into two stages: the pre and post-adaptation of HA. In both phases, subjects performed an interview, application of Questionnaire for Disabilities Associated with Impaired Auditory Localization, auditory processing screening protocol (APSP) and Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT). Results This study found no statistically significant difference in sound localization and memory evaluations for verbal sounds in sequence, in RGDT and Questionnaire for Disabilities Associated with Impaired Auditory Localization. Conclusion With the effective use of hearing aids, individuals with UHL showed improvement in the auditory abilities of sound localization, ordering and temporal resolution.


Author(s):  
Л. Е. Голованова ◽  
Е. А. Огородникова ◽  
Е. С. Лаптева ◽  
М. Ю. Бобошко

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.


2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P57-P57
Author(s):  
Drew M Horlbeck ◽  
Herman A Jenkins ◽  
Ben J Balough ◽  
Michael E Hoffer

Objective The efficacy of the Otologics Fully Implantable Hearing Device (MET) was assessed in adult patients with bilateral moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. Methods Surgical insertion of this totally implanted system was identical to the Phase I study. A repeated-measures within-subjects design assessed aided sound field thresholds and speech performances with the subject's own, appropriately fit, walk-in hearing aid(s) and the Otologics Fully Implantable Hearing Device. Results Six- and 12-month Phase II data will be presented. Ten patients were implanted and activated as part Phase II clinical trial. Three patients were lost to long term follow-up due to two coil failures and one ossicular abnormality preventing proper device placement. No significant differences between preoperative (AC = 59 dB, BC = 55 dB) and postoperative (AC = 61 dB, BC = 54 dB) unaided pure tone averages were noted (p < 0.05). Pure tone average implant aided thresholds (41 dB) were equivalent to that of walk-in-aided (37 dB) condition with no significant difference (p < 0.05) between patients’ walk-in-aided individual frequency thresholds and implant-aided thresholds. Word recognition scores and hearing in noise scores were similar between the walk-in-aided and for the implant-aided condition. Patient benefit scales will be presented at all end points. Conclusions Results of the Otologics MET Fully Implantable Hearing Device Phase II trial provide evidence that this fully implantable device is a viable alternative to currently available hearing aids in patients with sensorineural hearing loss.


Author(s):  
Shahin Shyekhaghaei ◽  
Seyyed Jalal Sameni ◽  
Nariman Rahbar

Background and Aim: There are several prescriptive formulas for covering a variety of hearing loss, each of which applies relatively different amplifications at different frequencies. This study aims to compare the gains prescribed for digital behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids by the Desired Sensation Level Multi-Stage [Input/Output] (DSLm[I/O]), National Acoustic Laboratories-non linear2 (NAL-NL2) and manufacturer-specific formulas at different levels of input intensity. Methods: The gain values in 12-channel BTE hearing aids prepared from four companies (Oticon, Phonak, ReSound and Siemens) were measured at three levels of input intensity (45, 65, and 85 dB SPL) and at a frequency range of 250−8000 Hz for two moderately severe flat and mild sloping to severe hearing losses by using the DSLm[I/O], NAL-NL2 and manufacturerspecific formulas in the Frye FP35 test box. Results: There was no significant difference between the four selected hearing aids in terms of prescribed gain values using the prescriptive formulas (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The DSLm[I/O] formula prescribes higher gain in the 12-channel BTE hearing aids from Oticon, Phonak and Siemens companies at all input intensities and frequencies for moderately severe flat and mild sloping to severe hearing losses compared to the NAL-NL2 formula and manufacturer-specific formulas (Voice Aligned Compression (VAC), Adaptive Phonak, Connexx Fit and audiogram+). Keywords: National acoustic laboratories-non linear2; desired sensation level multi-stage [input/output]; gain; frequency; intensity levels


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-39
Author(s):  
Mariya Yu. Boboshko ◽  
Irina P. Berdnikova ◽  
Natalya V. Maltzeva

Objectives -to determine the normative data of sentence speech intelligibility in a free sound field and to estimate the applicability of the Russian Matrix Sentence test (RuMatrix) for assessment of the hearing aid fitting benefit. Material and methods. 10 people with normal hearing and 28 users of hearing aids with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss were involved in the study. RuMatrix test both in quiet and in noise was performed in a free sound field. All patients filled in the COSI questionnaire. Results. The hearing impaired patients were divided into two subgroups: the 1st with high and the 2nd with low hearing aid benefit, according to the COSI questionnaire. In the 1st subgroup, the threshold for the sentence intelligibility in quiet was 34.9 ± 6.4 dB SPL, and in noise -3.3 ± 1.4 dB SNR, in the 2nd subgroup 41.7 ± 11.5 dB SPL and 0.15 ± 3.45 dB SNR, respectively. The significant difference between the data of both subgroups and the norm was registered (p


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (02) ◽  
pp. 141-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Zarenoe ◽  
Mathias Hällgren ◽  
Gerhard Andersson ◽  
Torbjörn Ledin

Background: Tinnitus is a common condition and there is a need to evaluate effects of tinnitus management in relation to moderating factors such as degree of hearing loss. As it is possible that tinnitus influences concentration, and thus is likely to disturb cognitive processing, the role of cognitive functioning also needs to be investigated. Purpose: To compare a group of patients with sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus to a control group with only sensorineural hearing loss (and no tinnitus). To investigate working memory, sleep, and hearing problems measured before and after hearing rehabilitation. Research Design: A prospective study. Study Sample: The sample consisted of 100 patients, 50 with hearing loss and tinnitus, and 50 controls with hearing loss but no tinnitus. All patients were between 40 and 82 yr old and had a pure-tone average (PTA; average of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) <70 dB HL. Intervention: Patients were tested before and after rehabilitation with hearing aids with regard to their working memory capacity, sleep quality, hearing problems, speech recognition, and tinnitus annoyance. Data Collection and Analysis: Eight patients dropped out of the study. Thus, a total of 92 patients were included for analysis, with 46 in each group. As a consequence of unplanned age and PTA differences between the groups, an age-matched subsample (n = 30 + 30) was selected for further analysis. Tests including the Reading Span, Hearing-in-Noise Test (HINT), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were administered before and after hearing aid rehabilitation. Results: There were no between-group differences at baseline in the full sample (n = 92), with the exception of the THI (p < 0.001) and the PSQI (p < 0.002), on which the hearing loss and tinnitus group had significantly higher scores. Pre/post changes were significant for both groups on the Reading Span, and HHIE. However, these improvements were significantly larger for the patients in the hearing loss and tinnitus group on the Reading Span test (p < 0.001) and the PSQI (p < 0.001). Patients with tinnitus and hearing loss also exhibited significantly improved THI scores at follow-up, compared to baseline (p < 0.001).We conducted the same analyses for the age-matched subsample (n = 30 + 30). For the baseline data, only the THI (p < 0.001) and the PSQI (p < 0.015) difference remained significant. With regard to the pre/post changes, we found the same differences in improvement in Reading Span (p < 0.001) and the PSQI (p < 0.015) as in the full sample. Conclusions: Patients with tinnitus benefited from hearing aid rehabilitation. The observed differences in cognitive function were unexpected, and there were larger score improvements on the Reading Span test in the hearing loss and tinnitus group than in the hearing loss group. Patients with tinnitus and hearing loss may receive extra benefit in terms of cognitive function following hearing aid rehabilitation.


2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (03) ◽  
pp. 169-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy S. Halpin ◽  
Kay Y. Smith ◽  
Judith E. Widen ◽  
Mark E. Chertoff

Background: Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) was introduced in Kansas in 1999. Prior to UNHS a small percentage of newborns were screened for and identified with hearing loss. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of UNHS on a local early intervention (EI) program for young children with hearing loss. Research Design: This was a retrospective study based on the chart review of children enrolled in the EI program during target years before and after the establishment of UNHS. Study Sample: Charts for 145 children were reviewed. Data Collection and Analysis: The chart review targeted the following aspects of the EI program: caseload size, percentage of caseload identified by UNHS, age of diagnosis, age of enrollment in EI, degree of hearing loss, etiology of hearing loss, late onset of hearing loss, age of hearing aid fit, percentage of children fit with hearing aids by 6 mo, percentage of children with profound hearing loss with cochlear implants, and percentage of children with additional disabilities. Results: Changes in the EI program that occurred after UNHS were increases in caseload size, percentage of caseload identified by UNHS, percentage of children fit with hearing aids by 6 mo of age, and percentage of children with profound hearing loss with cochlear implants. There were decreases in age of diagnosis, age of enrollment in EI, and age of hearing aid fit. Before UNHS, the majority of children had severe and profound hearing loss; after UNHS there were more children with mild and moderate hearing loss. The percentage of known etiology and late-onset hearing loss was approximately the same before and after UNHS, as was the percentage of children with additional disabilities. Conclusion: UNHS had a positive impact on caseload size, age of diagnosis, age of enrollment in EI, and age of hearing aid fit. The percentage of the caseload identified in the newborn period was about 25% before UNHS and over 80% after its implementation. After UNHS, the EI caseload included as many children with mild and moderate hearing loss as with severe and profound loss. By the last reporting year in the study (academic year 2005–2006) all children with profound hearing losses had cochlear implants.


2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (04) ◽  
pp. 250-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M. Lewis ◽  
Michael Valente ◽  
Jane Enrietto Horn ◽  
Carl Crandell

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.


Author(s):  
Parisa Heidari ◽  
Jamileh Fatahi ◽  
Reza Hoseinabadi ◽  
Nematollah Rouhbakhsh ◽  
Sasan Dabiri Satri ◽  
...  

Background and Aim: Investigations have shown that the patient’s attitudes toward hearing loss and hearing aids impact hearing aid benefits and its use. In this regard, Saunders and Cien­kowski (1996) developed the “attitudes towards loss of hearing questionnaire” to examine some of the psychosocial factors underlying the use of hearing aids. This study has focused on pre­paring a Persian version of this questionnaire and analyzing its validity and reliability. Methods: The original English version of the questionnaire was translated into Persian, and its content and face validities were determined by related experts. The final questionnaire was administered to 100 hearing impaired people (52 males and 48 females) aged 30 to 65 years with the mean (SD) age of 54.54 (12.05) years. The test-retest reliability was assessed in 20 pat­ients. Results: The results of face validity assessment revealed that our questionnaire has a high quality in translation, intelligibility, and cultural compatibility. The mean scores of the content validity ratio and content validity index of this questionnaire was 0.71 and 0.98, respectively. The mean (SD) total score of this questionnaire was 60.46 (10.02) and the mean scores of denial of hearing loss, negative associations, negative coping strategies, manual dexterity and vision and hearing-related esteem were 15.58, 12.10, 20.40, 5.30, and 7.08, respectively. The overall Cronbach α value was 0.798. The test-retest reliability showed good results for the global score (Intraclass correlation = 0.989). Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the Persian version of the questionnaire possesses satisfactory validity and reliability.


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