scholarly journals Investigating Real-World Benefits of High-Frequency Gain in Bone-Anchored Users with Ecological Momentary Assessment and Real-Time Data Logging

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 3923
Author(s):  
Arjan J. Bosman ◽  
Jeppe Høy Christensen ◽  
Tove Rosenbom ◽  
François Patou ◽  
Arno Janssen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Volume Control ◽  
Trial Period ◽  
Data Logging ◽  
Speech Reception ◽  
Listening Experience ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment

Purpose: To compare listening ability (speech reception thresholds) and real-life listening experience in users with a percutaneous bone conduction device (BCD) with two listening programs differing only in high-frequency gain. In situ real-life experiences were recorded with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) techniques combined with real-time acoustical data logging and standard retrospective questionnaires. Methods: Nineteen experienced BCD users participated in this study. They all used a Ponto 4 BCD from Oticon Medical during a 4-week trial period. Environmental data and device parameters (i.e., device usage and volume control) were logged in real-time on an iPhone via a custom iOS research app. At the end of the trial period, subjects filled in APHAB, SSQ, and preference questionnaires. Listening abilities with the two programs were evaluated with speech reception threshold tests. Results: The APHAB and SSQ questionnaires did not reveal any differences between the two listening programs. The EMAs revealed group-level effects, indicating that in speech and noisy listening environments, subjects preferred the default listening program, and found the program with additional high-frequency gain too loud. This finding was corroborated by the volume log—subjects avoided the higher volume control setting and reacted more to changes in environmental sound pressure levels when using the high-frequency gain program. Finally, day-to-day changes in EMAs revealed acclimatization effects in the listening experience for ratings of “sound quality” and “program suitability” of the BCD, but not for ratings of “loudness perception” and “speech understanding”. The acclimatization effect did not differ among the listening programs. Conclusion: Adding custom high-frequency amplification to the BCD target-gain prescription improves speech reception in laboratory tests under quiet conditions, but results in poorer real-life listening experiences due to loudness.

Why Ecological Momentary Assessment Surveys Go Incomplete?: When It Happens and How It Impacts Data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Hsiang Wu ◽  
Jingjing Xu ◽  
Elizabeth Stangl ◽  
Shareka Pentony ◽  
Dhruv Vyas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Data Logging ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Real Time Data ◽  
Report Data ◽  
Self Report Data ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Momentary Assessment

Abstract Background Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) often requires respondents to complete surveys in the moment to report real-time experiences. Because EMA may seem disruptive or intrusive, respondents may not complete surveys as directed in certain circumstances. Purpose This article aims to determine the effect of environmental characteristics on the likelihood of instances where respondents do not complete EMA surveys (referred to as survey incompletion), and to estimate the impact of survey incompletion on EMA self-report data. Research Design An observational study. Study Sample Ten adults hearing aid (HA) users. Data Collection and Analysis Experienced, bilateral HA users were recruited and fit with study HAs. The study HAs were equipped with real-time data loggers, an algorithm that logged the data generated by HAs (e.g., overall sound level, environment classification, and feature status including microphone mode and amount of gain reduction). The study HAs were also connected via Bluetooth to a smartphone app, which collected the real-time data logging data as well as presented the participants with EMA surveys about their listening environments and experiences. The participants were sent out to wear the HAs and complete surveys for 1 week. Real-time data logging was triggered when participants completed surveys and when participants ignored or snoozed surveys. Data logging data were used to estimate the effect of environmental characteristics on the likelihood of survey incompletion, and to predict participants' responses to survey questions in the instances of survey incompletion. Results Across the 10 participants, 715 surveys were completed and survey incompletion occurred 228 times. Mixed effects logistic regression models indicated that survey incompletion was more likely to happen in the environments that were less quiet and contained more speech, noise, and machine sounds, and in the environments wherein directional microphones and noise reduction algorithms were enabled. The results of survey response prediction further indicated that the participants could have reported more challenging environments and more listening difficulty in the instances of survey incompletion. However, the difference in the distribution of survey responses between the observed responses and the combined observed and predicted responses was small. Conclusion The present study indicates that EMA survey incompletion occurs systematically. Although survey incompletion could bias EMA self-report data, the impact is likely to be small.

Measuring Poly-tobacco Product Use with Ecological Momentary Assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 423-435
Author(s):  
Nicholas G. Griffiths ◽  
Jessica L. Fetterman ◽  
Comreen Vargees ◽  
Hasmeena Kathuria ◽  
Stine Grodal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Tobacco Product ◽  
Longitudinal Methods ◽  
Baseline Questionnaire ◽  
Product Use ◽  
Concurrent Use ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment

Objectives: Poly-tobacco product use is common among tobacco users, but it is challenging to assess patterns of use in real-life contexts. The objective of this study is to determine whether intensive longitudinal methods are feasible for assessing concurrent use of multiple tobacco products. Methods: Overall, 28 participants completed a baseline questionnaire and 7 days of ecological momentary assessment data collection, including end-of-day, random, and real-time reporting. Results: When estimating use of cigarettes, vaping products, and other products individually, there were moderate correlations between baseline questionnaire estimates, end-of-day estimates, and random estimates (ρ= 0.379–0.640); however, daily totals of all products combined were poorly correlated (ρ = 0.198–0.461). Baseline questionnaire estimates were higher than random estimates for each product (median difference 1.5–7.0 products per day). End-of-day estimates were more consistent with the baseline questionnaire. There was low compliance with real-time product use reports. Conclusions: Random or daily reporting are feasible for poly-tobacco use assessment, but methods are needed to reconcile differences in estimates. Accurate measurement of poly-tobacco product use is needed to assess health impacts and inform policy.

Measuring Poly-tobacco Product Use with Ecological Momentary Assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 423-435
Author(s):  
Nicholas G. Griffiths ◽  
Jessica L. Fetterman ◽  
Comreen Vargees ◽  
Hasmeena Kathuria ◽  
Stine Grodal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Tobacco Product ◽  
Longitudinal Methods ◽  
Baseline Questionnaire ◽  
Product Use ◽  
Concurrent Use ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment

Objectives: Poly-tobacco product use is common among tobacco users, but it is challenging to assess patterns of use in real-life contexts. The objective of this study is to determine whether intensive longitudinal methods are feasible for assessing concurrent use of multiple tobacco products. Methods: Overall, 28 participants completed a baseline questionnaire and 7 days of ecological momentary assessment data collection, including end-of-day, random, and real-time reporting. Results: When estimating use of cigarettes, vaping products, and other products individually, there were moderate correlations between baseline questionnaire estimates, end-of-day estimates, and random estimates (ρ = 0.379-0.640); however, daily totals of all products combined were poorly correlated (ρ = 0.198-0.461). Baseline questionnaire estimates were higher than random estimates for each product (median difference 1.5-7.0 products per day). End-of-day estimates were more consistent with the baseline questionnaire. There was low compliance with real-time product use reports. Conclusions: Random or daily reporting are feasible for poly- tobacco use assessment, but methods are needed to reconcile differences in estimates. Accurate measurement of poly-tobacco product use is needed to assess health impacts and inform policy.

scholarly journals The Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR)

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias R. Mehl
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Mobile Sensing ◽  
Daily Behavior ◽  
Observation Method ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Audio Recorder ◽  
Momentary Assessment

This article reviews the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR) as an ambulatory ecological momentary assessment tool for the real-world observation of daily behavior. Technically, the EAR is an audio recorder that intermittently records snippets of ambient sounds while participants go about their lives. Conceptually, it is a naturalistic observation method that yields an acoustic log of a person’s day as it unfolds. The power of the EAR lies in unobtrusively collecting authentic real-life observational data. In preserving a high degree of naturalism at the level of the raw recordings, it resembles ethnographic methods; through its sampling and coding, it enables larger empirical studies. This article provides an overview of the EAR method; reviews its validity, utility, and limitations; and discusses it in the context of current developments in ambulatory assessment, specifically the emerging field of mobile sensing.

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