Directional Hearing, Three Different Test-Methods

Objectives This study investigates the hypothesis that hearing aid amplification reduces effort within conversation for both hearing aid wearers and their communication partners. Levels of effort, in the form of speech production modifications, required to maintain successful spoken communication in a range of acoustic environments are compared to earlier reported results measured in unaided conversation conditions. Design Fifteen young adult normal-hearing participants and 15 older adult hearing-impaired participants were tested in pairs. Each pair consisted of one young normal-hearing participant and one older hearing-impaired participant. Hearing-impaired participants received directional hearing aid amplification, according to their audiogram, via a master hearing aid with gain provided according to the NAL-NL2 fitting formula. Pairs of participants were required to take part in naturalistic conversations through the use of a referential communication task. Each pair took part in five conversations, each of 5-min duration. During each conversation, participants were exposed to one of five different realistic acoustic environments presented through highly open headphones. The ordering of acoustic environments across experimental blocks was pseudorandomized. Resulting recordings of conversational speech were analyzed to determine the magnitude of speech modifications, in terms of vocal level and spectrum, produced by normal-hearing talkers as a function of both acoustic environment and the degree of high-frequency average hearing impairment of their conversation partner. Results The magnitude of spectral modifications of speech produced by normal-hearing talkers during conversations with aided hearing-impaired interlocutors was smaller than the speech modifications observed during conversations between the same pairs of participants in the absence of hearing aid amplification. Conclusions The provision of hearing aid amplification reduces the effort required to maintain communication in adverse conditions. This reduction in effort provides benefit to hearing-impaired individuals and also to the conversation partners of hearing-impaired individuals. By considering the impact of amplification on both sides of dyadic conversations, this approach contributes to an increased understanding of the likely impact of hearing impairment on everyday communication.

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Fly-Inspired Microphone for Directional Hearing Aids: Unusual Ears Lead to Smaller Microphone Technology

ASHA Leader ◽

10.1044/leader.ftr3.16072011.5 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. 5-6

Author(s):

Ronald Miles

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aids ◽

Directional Hearing ◽

Directional Hearing Aids

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Laboratory proficiency in susceptibility testing of Helicobacter pylori using agar dilution and E test methods

Gastroenterology ◽

10.1016/s0016-5085(01)82918-8 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 120 (5) ◽

pp. A586-A587

Author(s):

L BEST ◽

S JO ◽

V VANZANTEN ◽

D HALDANE ◽

V LOO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Susceptibility Testing ◽

Test Methods ◽

Agar Dilution

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Scientific and Standardization Committee Communications Comparison of Test Methods for the Lupus Anticoagulant: International Survey on Lupus Anticoagulants-I (ISLA-1)

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1647340 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 64 (03) ◽

pp. 478-484 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Thomas Exner ◽

Douglas A Triplett ◽

David A Taberner ◽

Margaret A Howard ◽

E Nigel Harris

Keyword(s):

Lupus Anticoagulant ◽

Test Methods ◽

Positive Sample ◽

Direct Proportion ◽

Clotting Time ◽

Preliminary Screening ◽

Activated Platelets ◽

Tissue Thromboplastin ◽

Kaolin Clotting Time ◽

Induced Defects

SummarySix lyophilized plasma samples were sent to 20 “expert” laboratories for assessment of lupus anticoagulant (LA). Four samples contained pooled LA of graded potency mixed with aged normal plasma. One contained LA plus cephalin phospholipid and one contained a nonspecific venom anticoagulant. Sixteen methods were used overall with some participants using up to 8 methods. Results were scored in regard to the known potencies of LA in the samples and other known induced defects.Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) tests used by most participants for preliminary screening were relatively sensitive, but non-specific. Platelet or phospholipid neutralization procedures (PNP) appeared to be sensitive and specific but showed a non-linear response to increased LA content. Kaolin clotting time (KCT) tests showed the most sensitive response to increased LA content but the weaker LA were not scored as abnormal by most laboratories as the samples may have contained platelet fragments. Other commonly used tests such as the tissue thromboplastin inhibition (TTI) test and the dilute Russell’s viper venom test (DRVVT) were carried out somewhat inconsistently. The variability in performance of tests in different laboratories indicates that standardization of methodology is urgently required.Generally it seemed that most clotting tests were “bypassed” by the addition of phospholipid to a known LA-positive sample in apparently direct proportion to their sensitivity. Sample preparation, especially prevention of contamination with activated platelets is a vital preliminary part in the assay of LA.

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Test Methods for Assessing Abrasion Impact on CSP Drainage Structures

WRPMD'99 ◽

10.1061/40430(1999)73 ◽

1999 ◽

Author(s):

Brian C. Roberts ◽

J. P. Ault

Keyword(s):

Test Methods

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A method for measuring the in-plane compressive strength and the compression behavior of coating layers

TAPPI Journal ◽

10.32964/tj10.7.29 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 29-34

Author(s):

TEEMU PUHAKKA ◽

ISKO KAJANTO ◽

NINA PYKÄLÄINEN

Keyword(s):

Tensile Strength ◽

Compressive Strength ◽

Calcium Carbonate ◽

Coating Layer ◽

Test Methods ◽

Coating Films ◽

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate ◽

Coating Color ◽

Mineral Coatings ◽

Styrene Butadiene

Cracking at the fold is a quality defect sometimes observed in coated paper and board. Although tensile and compressive stresses occur during folding, test methods to measure the compressive strength of a coating have not been available. Our objective was to develop a method to measure the compressive strength of a coating layer and to investigate how different mineral coatings behave under compression. We used the short-span compressive strength test (SCT) to measure the in-plane compressive strength of a free coating layer. Unsupported free coating films were prepared for the measurements. Results indicate that the SCT method was suitable for measuring the in-plane compressive strength of a coating layer. Coating color formulations containing different kaolin and calcium carbonate minerals were used to study the effect of pigment particles’ shape on the compressive and tensile strengths of coatings. Latices having two different glass transition temperatures were used. Results showed that pigment particle shape influenced the strength of a coating layer. Platy clay gave better strength than spherical or needle-shaped carbonate pigments. Compressive and tensile strength decreased as a function of the amount of calcium carbonate in the coating color, particularly with precipitated calcium carbonate. We also assessed the influence of styrene-butadiene binder on the compressive strength of the coating layer, which increased with the binder level. The compressive strength of the coating layer was about three times the tensile strength.

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An evaluation of ECT sample height for small flute board grades and Box Manufacturer’s Certification compliance

TAPPI Journal ◽

10.32964/tj8.6.24 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 24-28

Author(s):

CORY JAY WILSON ◽

BENJAMIN FRANK

Keyword(s):

Compressive Strength ◽

Compressive Load ◽

Test Sample ◽

Test Methods ◽

Test Method ◽

Initial Development ◽

Sample Height ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Corrugated Fiberboard

TAPPI test T811 is the specified method to ascertain ECT relative to box manufacturer’s certification compliance of corrugated fiberboard under Rule 41/ Alternate Item 222. T811 test sample heights were derived from typical board constructions at the time of the test method’s initial development. New, smaller flute sizes have since been developed, and the use of lighter weight boards has become more common. The T811 test method includes sample specifications for typical A-flute, B-flute, and C-flute singlewall (and doublewall and triplewall) structures, but not for newer thinner E-flute or F-flute structures. This research explores the relationship of ECT sample height to measured compressive load, in an effort to determine valid E-flute and F-flute ECT sample heights for use with the T811 method. Through this process, it identifies challenges present in our use of current ECT test methods as a measure of intrinsic compressive strength for smaller flute structures. The data does not support the use of TAPPI T 811 for ECT measurement for E and F flute structures, and demonstrates inconsistencies with current height specifi-cations for some lightweight B flute.

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