scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Self-Fitting Tool for User-Driven Fitting of Hearing Aids

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10596
Author(s):  
Matjaž Debevc ◽  
Mark Žmavc ◽  
Michael Boretzki ◽  
Martina Schüpbach-Wolf ◽  
Hans-Ueli Roeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Underdeveloped Countries ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Fitting Procedures ◽  
Double Blinded ◽  
Moderate Hearing Loss

Hearing aids can be effective devices to compensate for age- or non-age-related hearing losses. Their overall adoption in the affected population is still low, especially in underdeveloped countries in the subpopulation experiencing milder hearing loss. One of the major reasons for low adoption is the need for repeated complex fitting by professional audiologists, which is often not completed for various reasons. As a result, self-fitting procedures have been appearing as an alternative. Key open questions with these digital tools are linked to their effectiveness, utilized algorithms, and achievable end-results. A digital self-fitting prototype tool with a novel quick four-step fitting workflow was evaluated in a study on 19 individuals with moderate hearing loss. The tool was evaluated in a double-blinded, randomized study, having two study aims: comparing traditional audiological fitting with the new self-fitting tool, which can also be used as a remote tool. The main reported results show moderately high usability and user satisfaction obtained during self-fitting, and quasi-equivalence of the performance of the classical audiological fitting approach. The digital self-fitting tool enables multiple sessions and easy re-fitting, with the potential to outperform the classical fitting approach.

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.

scholarly journals Chronic Oral Selegiline Treatment Mitigates Age-Related Hearing Loss in BALB/c Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2853
Author(s):  
Judit Szepesy ◽  
Viktória Humli ◽  
János Farkas ◽  
Ildikó Miklya ◽  
Júlia Tímár ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Dose Range ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Hearing Function ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Aging Societies ◽  
Age Related Hearing Loss

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), a sensorineural hearing loss of multifactorial origin, increases its prevalence in aging societies. Besides hearing aids and cochlear implants, there is no FDA approved efficient pharmacotherapy to either cure or prevent ARHL. We hypothesized that selegiline, an antiparkinsonian drug, could be a promising candidate for the treatment due to its complex neuroprotective, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and dopaminergic neurotransmission enhancing effects. We monitored by repeated Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) measurements the effect of chronic per os selegiline administration on the hearing function in BALB/c and DBA/2J mice, which strains exhibit moderate and rapid progressive high frequency hearing loss, respectively. The treatments were started at 1 month of age and lasted until almost a year and 5 months of age, respectively. In BALB/c mice, 4 mg/kg selegiline significantly mitigated the progression of ARHL at higher frequencies. Used in a wide dose range (0.15–45 mg/kg), selegiline had no effect in DBA/2J mice. Our results suggest that selegiline can partially preserve the hearing in certain forms of ARHL by alleviating its development. It might also be otoprotective in other mammals or humans.

scholarly journals A Review on Recent Advancement on Age-Related Hearing Loss: The Applications of Nanotechnology, Drug Pharmacology, and Biotechnology

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1041
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Chester ◽  
Edan Johnston ◽  
Daniel Walker ◽  
Melissa Jones ◽  
Corina Mihaela Ionescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Bile Acid ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Stria Vascularis ◽  
Cellular Damage ◽  
Relevant Evidence ◽  
Neuronal Signalling ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Recent Advancement ◽  
Age Related Hearing Loss

Aging is considered a contributing factor to many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss, also termed presbycusis, is one of the most common sensory impairments worldwide, affecting one in five people over 50 years of age, and this prevalence is growing annually. Associations have emerged between presbycusis and detrimental health outcomes, including social isolation and mental health. It remains largely untreatable apart from hearing aids, and with no globally established prevention strategies in the clinical setting. Hence, this review aims to explore the pathophysiology of presbycusis and potential therapies, based on a recent advancement in bile acid-based bio-nanotechnologies. A comprehensive online search was carried out using the following keywords: presbycusis, drugs, hearing loss, bile acids, nanotechnology, and more than 150 publications were considered directly relevant. Evidence of the multifaceted oxidative stress and chronic inflammation involvement in cellular damage and apoptosis that is associated with a loss of hair cells, damaged and inflamed stria vascularis, and neuronal signalling loss and apoptosis continues to emerge. New robust and effective therapies require drug delivery deeper into the various layers of the cochlea. Bile acid-based nanotechnology has gained wide interest in its permeation-enhancing ability and potential for numerous applications in treating presbycusis.

scholarly journals mTOR Signaling in the Inner Ear as Potential Target to Treat Hearing Loss

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6368
Author(s):  
Maurizio Cortada ◽  
Soledad Levano ◽  
Daniel Bodmer
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Inner Ear ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Mtor Signaling ◽  
Curative Therapy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Survival Pathways

Hearing loss affects many people worldwide and occurs often as a result of age, ototoxic drugs and/or excessive noise exposure. With a growing number of elderly people, the number of people suffering from hearing loss will also increase in the future. Despite the high number of affected people, for most patients there is no curative therapy for hearing loss and hearing aids or cochlea implants remain the only option. Important treatment approaches for hearing loss include the development of regenerative therapies or the inhibition of cell death/promotion of cell survival pathways. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a central regulator of cell growth, is involved in cell survival, and has been shown to be implicated in many age-related diseases. In the inner ear, mTOR signaling has also started to gain attention recently. In this review, we will emphasize recent discoveries of mTOR signaling in the inner ear and discuss implications for possible treatments for hearing restoration.

Vztah mezi presbyakuzí a poruchou kognitivních funkcí ve stáří PDF uzamčeno English info

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-233
Author(s):  
Jakub Fuksa ◽  
Milan Profant ◽  
Martin Chovanec ◽  
Josef Syka
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Auditory Information ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Keywords Dementia ◽  
Increased Risk

Age-related hearing loss, presbycusis, is one of the most frequent sensory impairments in the ageing population. It is associated with pathologies of both inner ear and the central parts of the auditory system. Intact cognitive functions are necessary for the proper processing of complex auditory information. Since the beginning of the 80s, there is an increasing amount of evidence linking presbycusis to cognitive impairment and increased risk of dementia. The exact cause, which connects these two pathologies, is still unknown, although there are several hypotheses with various levels of evidence available. This review aims to describe the role of cognitive functions in the auditory processing, to summarize published evidence for a relationship between the hearing loss and cognitive impairment with a possible mechanism, which would explain this link. In addition, we discuss specific features of cognitive assessment in a person with hearing loss and describe the effect of hearing loss treatment, e. g. with hearing aids, cochlear implant and cognitive-hearing training on cognitive functions. Keywords: dementia – hearing loss – presbycusis – cognitive decline

AGE-RELATED ISSUES OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HEARING IMPAIRED PATIENTS

2021 ◽  
pp. 885-892
Author(s):  
Л. Е. Голованова ◽  
Е. А. Огородникова ◽  
Е. С. Лаптева ◽  
М. Ю. Бобошко
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Hearing Disorders ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Significant Difference

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.

scholarly journals Association of Age-Related Hearing Loss with Cognitive Decline

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-153
Author(s):  
Juyong Chung
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cochlear Implants ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Microvascular Disease ◽  
Single Mechanism ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Hearing Loss

A number of studies have demonstrated a significant association between age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and cognitive decline. However their relationship is not clear. In this review, we focused on the etiological mechanisms between ARHL and cognitive decline to explain the nature of this relationship: 1) causal mechanisms (e.g., cognitive load hypothesis, cascade hypothesis); 2) common cause mechanisms (e.g., microvascular disease); 3) overdiagnosis or harbinger hypothesis. We conclude that no single mechanism is sufficient and hearing and cognition related to each other in several different ways. In addition, we reviewed the effectiveness of hearing intervention (e.g., hearing aids and cochlear implants) on cognition function, and the role of hearing aid use and cochlear implant depends on the relevant mechanism.

scholarly journals Impact of hearing loss in the lives of geriatric individuals

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1207
Author(s):  
Archita Jain ◽  
James Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Visual Signals ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Geriatric Population ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Moderate Hearing Loss

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Hearing loss in old age is a vexing problem and millions of people worldwide are suffering from it. The aim of this study is to identify the problems which geriatric individuals with hearing loss experience and to help them to overcome their disability and its effects on social engagement and interpersonal relationship.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital and is based on prospective study. The data collection was done in the form of confrontational interview.  </p><p><strong>Results:</strong> According to our study individuals suffering from moderate hearing loss have difficulty in communicating with friends, relatives and even strangers. They even face problems in travelling. They feel disoriented during conversation and tend to miss out parts of conversation. They tend to use their visual signals more than hearing for example while watching television they try to focus and interpret more by the video than by listening to the audio. People suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss try to ignore the disability and request people to repeat statements but inadvertently still miss out the conversation and the try to ignore the handicap.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Age related hearing loss known as presbycusis and it is one of the most prevalent conditions in old age and millions of people worldwide are afflicted. It is one of the leading cause of overall diminution of physical and mental performance in old age. It is often neglected and remains undetected for long in geriatric population due to gradual progression.</p>

scholarly journals Shift of musical hallucinations to visual hallucinations after correction of the hearing deficit in a patient with Lewy body dementia: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Montalvo ◽  
Eryco Azevedo ◽  
Alexandre de Mendonça
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Instrumental Music ◽  
Auditory Hallucination ◽  
Sensory Modality ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Lewy Body Dementia ◽  
Visual Hallucinations ◽  
Sensory Deficits ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Background Musical hallucinations are a particular type of auditory hallucination in which the patient perceives instrumental music, musical sounds, or songs. Musical hallucinations are associated with acquired hearing loss, particularly within the elderly. Under conditions of reduced auditory sensory input, perception-bearing circuits are disinhibited and perceptual traces released, implying an interaction between peripheral sensory deficits and central factors related to brain dysfunction. Case presentation A 71-year-old Caucasian man with hearing loss complained of memory difficulties and resting tremor of the right upper limb in the previous 2 years. He already had difficulties in instrumental activities of daily life. Neurological examination showed Parkinsonian signs and hypoacusia. Neuropsychological examination identified deficits in executive functions and memory tests. Brain computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance scans showed mild cortical and subcortical atrophy. The clinical diagnosis of possible dementia with Lewy bodies was established. Five years later, the patient began complaining of musical hallucinations. There had been no previous change in medication. An otorhinolaryngologist diagnosed age-related hearing loss and prescribed bilateral hearing aids. After using the hearing aids, the patient did not hear the songs any longer, only some tinnitus, described as a whistle. However, at the same time, the patient started experiencing visual hallucinations he never had before. Discussion To our knowledge, the immediate shift of hallucinations from one sensory modality to another sensory modality when perception is improved has not been previously described. This report emphasizes the interaction between brain pathology and sensory deficits for the genesis of hallucinations, and reinforces the theory that attention and control networks must couple properly to the default mode network, as well as integrate and select adequately peripheral signals to the somatosensory cortices, in order to keep a clear state of mind. Conclusion The clinician should bear in mind and let the patient know that improving one sensory modality to ameliorate hallucinations may sometimes paradoxically lead to hallucinations in a different sensory modality.

scholarly journals Effect of rehabilitation training on an elderly population with mild to moderate hearing loss: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 582
Author(s):  
Parisa Rasouli Fard ◽  
Farnoush Jarollahi ◽  
Seyyed Jalal Sameni ◽  
Mohammad Kamali
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Randomised Clinical Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rehabilitation Training ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Moderate Hearing Loss

Background: Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is a form of hearing loss in over 60-year-olds and has a negative impact on quality of life. The pathophysiology of presbycusis is multifactorial and is predominately characterised with a loss of speech perception in noise. In the cochlea, auditory filters decompose broadband sound into a series of narrowband output signals, which contains two kinds of temporal information: slow changes in overall amplitude envelope (ENV) and faster variations in temporal fine structure (TFS). TFS is important for recognition of target speech in noise. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of TFS rehabilitation training in participants over the age of 60 years with mild to moderate hearing loss. Methods: A randomised clinical trial  conduct on 30 participants with mild (loss of 20-39dB) to moderate (40-69dB) hearing loss, aged between 60 and 75 years old. Participants with conductive hearing loss, abnormal middle ear pathology and central nerve system disease were excluded. Participants were randomly selected to an intervention and control group with a 1:1 ratio. Rehabilitation for the intervention Group are 30-minute sessions three times a week for a total five weeks of vowel consonant vowel words that are used to eliminate ENV and keep only TFS. Word in noise test, binaural TFS test, and Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale scores are performed at the beginning and end of study to evaluate the effect of rehabilitation training. Conclusion:  Life expectancy in the elderly has improved, leading to an increased prevalence of age-related diseases including presbycusis. A literature review highlighted that TFS damage is permanent; however, in this study we will attempt to prove that TFS training may lead to speech in noise perception restored. Trial registration: Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT2019625044006N1 (7th August 2019).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document