Limiting High-Frequency Hearing Aid Gain in Listeners with and without Suspected Cochlear Dead Regions

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (07) ◽  
pp. 498-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol L. Mackersie ◽  
Tracy L. Crocker ◽  
Rebecca A. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Wide Band ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Choice Procedure ◽  
Low Pass ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Cochlear Dead Regions

The purpose of this study was to compare threshold-matched ears with and without suspected cochlear dead regions in terms of the speech perception benefit from high-frequency amplification. The Threshold Equalizing Noise Test (TEN) was used to assess the presence of dead regions. Speech perception was measured while participants were wearing a hearing aid fit to approximate DSL[i/o] targets. Consonant identification of nonsense vowelconsonant-vowel combinations was measured in quiet using a forced-choice procedure. Phoneme recognition was measured at signal-to-noise ratios ranging from 0 to +15 dB using the Computer-Assisted Speech Perception Assessment test (CASPA). Recognition scores were obtained for unfiltered stimuli and stimuli that were low-pass filtered at the estimated boundary of the suspected dead regions, ½ octave above and 1 octave above the boundary. Filter settings for the ears without suspected dead regions were the same as settings of the threshold-matched counterpart.In quiet and in low levels of noise, speech perception scores were significantly higher for the wide-band (unfiltered) condition than for the filtered conditions, and performance was similar for the ears with and without suspected dead regions. In high levels of noise, mean scores were highest in the wide-band condition for the ears without suspected dead regions, but performance reached an asymptote for the ears with suspected dead regions. These results suggest that patients with cochlear dead regions may experience speech perception benefit from wide-band high-frequency gain in quiet and low levels of noise, but not in high levels of noise.

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 Cochlear Dead Regions in Typical Hearing Aid Candidates: Prevalence and Implications for Use of High-Frequency Speech Cues

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn M. Cox ◽  
Genevieve C. Alexander ◽  
Jani Johnson ◽  
Izel Rivera
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Speech Cues ◽  
Cochlear Dead Regions

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 Listening Effort and Speech Recognition with Frequency Compression Amplification for Children and Adults with Hearing Loss

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (09) ◽  
pp. 823-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc A. Brennan ◽  
Dawna Lewis ◽  
Ryan McCreery ◽  
Judy Kopun ◽  
Joshua M. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Recognition ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Nonsense Word ◽  
Spectral Distortion ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Frequency Compression ◽  
Low Pass ◽  
Adults And Children

AbstractNonlinear frequency compression (NFC) can improve the audibility of high-frequency sounds by lowering them to a frequency where audibility is better; however, this lowering results in spectral distortion. Consequently, performance is a combination of the effects of increased access to high-frequency sounds and the detrimental effects of spectral distortion. Previous work has demonstrated positive benefits of NFC on speech recognition when NFC is set to improve audibility while minimizing distortion. However, the extent to which NFC impacts listening effort is not well understood, especially for children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).To examine the impact of NFC on recognition and listening effort for speech in adults and children with SNHL.Within-subject, quasi-experimental study. Participants listened to amplified nonsense words that were (1) frequency-lowered using NFC, (2) low-pass filtered at 5 kHz to simulate the restricted bandwidth (RBW) of conventional hearing aid processing, or (3) low-pass filtered at 10 kHz to simulate extended bandwidth (EBW) amplification.Fourteen children (8–16 yr) and 14 adults (19–65 yr) with mild-to-severe SNHL.Participants listened to speech processed by a hearing aid simulator that amplified input signals to fit a prescriptive target fitting procedure.Participants were blinded to the type of processing. Participants' responses to each nonsense word were analyzed for accuracy and verbal-response time (VRT; listening effort). A multivariate analysis of variance and linear mixed model were used to determine the effect of hearing-aid signal processing on nonsense word recognition and VRT.Both children and adults identified the nonsense words and initial consonants better with EBW and NFC than with RBW. The type of processing did not affect the identification of the vowels or final consonants. There was no effect of age on recognition of the nonsense words, initial consonants, medial vowels, or final consonants. VRT did not change significantly with the type of processing or age.Both adults and children demonstrated improved speech recognition with access to the high-frequency sounds in speech. Listening effort as measured by VRT was not affected by access to high-frequency sounds.

scholarly journals Reconfigurable High Gain and Wide Band Antenna for 5G Communication

2020 ◽  
pp. 84-86
Author(s):  
Seethalakshmi V ◽  
Geetha S ◽  
Vetrichelvi G ◽  
Saranya G ◽  
Manikandan S
Keyword(s):  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Wide Band ◽  
High Gain ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Mobile Terminals ◽  
Very High Frequency ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Very High

This paper introduces the specification and performance analysis of broad frequency range antenna for 5 G mobile phones. The suggested antenna functions at the frequency spectrum of 28 GHz and its configuration are permanently matched over very high frequency bands, including 4.25 GHz, 7.055 GHz, 12.48 GHz and 15.26 GHz, as well as for the reallocation of the expanded 5 G spectrum of communications. Mobile terminals are compliant with the antenna that is being built.

scholarly journals A “Goldilocks” Approach to Hearing-Aid Self-Fitting: User Interactions

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (3S) ◽  
pp. 430-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Boothroyd ◽  
Carol Mackersie
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
User Interactions ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Fitting Procedures ◽  
Feasible Alternative ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose The purpose of the current study was to evaluate user reactions to custom software designed for self-adjustment of amplification. Method “Goldilocks” software was developed to allow user exploration and selection of preferred levels of overall output, low-frequency cut, and high-frequency boost while listening to preprocessed speech. Thirteen hearing-aid users and 13 nonusers self-adjusted before and after taking a speech perception test incorporated into the software. Results All 26 participants were able to complete the 2 adjustments and the intervening test in an average of 6.5 min—20 of them from on-screen instructions without experimenter help. Relative to a generic starting condition, the average participant opted to increase overall output, reduce low-frequency cut, and increase high-frequency boost. The first and second self-selected values were highly correlated, but there was evidence of further increases of overall volume and high-frequency boost after speech perception testing with the initial adjustment. There was no evidence that prior hearing-aid experience affected the ability to understand or complete the self-fitting process. Conclusions This approach to hearing-aid self-fitting can be a speedy, reliable, and feasible alternative to, or supplement to, conventional fitting procedures, but many questions remain to be answered.

scholarly journals The Effects of Static and Moving Spectral Ripple Sensitivity on Unaided and Aided Speech Perception in Noise

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (12) ◽  
pp. 3113-3126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christi W. Miller ◽  
Joshua G. W. Bernstein ◽  
Xuyang Zhang ◽  
Yu-Hsiang Wu ◽  
Ruth A. Bentler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Modulation Depth ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Broadband Noise ◽  
Speech Understanding ◽  
Detection Thresholds ◽  
Speech Perception In Noise ◽  
Low Pass ◽  
High Pass

Purpose This study evaluated whether certain spectral ripple conditions were more informative than others in predicting ecologically relevant unaided and aided speech outcomes. Method A quasi-experimental study design was used to evaluate 67 older adult hearing aid users with bilateral, symmetrical hearing loss. Speech perception in noise was tested under conditions of unaided and aided, auditory-only and auditory–visual, and 2 types of noise. Predictors included age, audiometric thresholds, audibility, hearing aid compression, and modulation depth detection thresholds for moving (4-Hz) or static (0-Hz) 2-cycle/octave spectral ripples applied to carriers of broadband noise or 2000-Hz low- or high-pass filtered noise. Results A principal component analysis of the modulation detection data found that broadband and low-pass static and moving ripple detection thresholds loaded onto the first factor whereas high-pass static and moving ripple detection thresholds loaded onto a second factor. A linear mixed model revealed that audibility and the first factor (reflecting broadband and low-pass static and moving ripples) were significantly associated with speech perception performance. Similar results were found for unaided and aided speech scores. The interactions between speech conditions were not significant, suggesting that the relationship between ripples and speech perception was consistent regardless of visual cues or noise condition. High-pass ripple sensitivity was not correlated with speech understanding. Conclusions The results suggest that, for hearing aid users, poor speech understanding in noise and sensitivity to both static and slow-moving ripples may reflect deficits in the same underlying auditory processing mechanism. Significant factor loadings involving ripple stimuli with low-frequency content may suggest an impaired ability to use temporal fine structure information in the stimulus waveform. Support is provided for the use of spectral ripple testing to predict speech perception outcomes in clinical settings.

Evaluation of Special Hearing Aids for Deaf Children

1971 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman P. Erber
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Acoustic Stimulation ◽  
Deaf Children ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Frequency Limit ◽  
Unpublished Studies ◽  
Published Research

Two types of special hearing aid have been developed recently to improve the reception of speech by profoundly deaf children. In a different way, each special system provides greater low-frequency acoustic stimulation to deaf ears than does a conventional hearing aid. One of the devices extends the low-frequency limit of amplification; the other shifts high-frequency energy to a lower frequency range. In general, previous evaluations of these special hearing aids have obtained inconsistent or inconclusive results. This paper reviews most of the published research on the use of special hearing aids by deaf children, summarizes several unpublished studies, and suggests a set of guidelines for future evaluations of special and conventional amplification systems.

Comparison of In-the-Ear and Over-the-Ear Hearing Aid Fittings

1986 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M. Risberg ◽  
Robyn M. Cox
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Comparative Evaluation ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Functional Gain ◽  
The Relationship

A custom in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid fitting was compared to two over-the-ear (OTE) hearing aid fittings for each of 9 subjects with mild to moderately severe hearing losses. Speech intelligibility via the three instruments was compared using the Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) test. The relationship between functional gain and coupler gain was compared for the ITE and the higher rated OTE instruments. The difference in input received at the microphone locations of the two types of hearing aids was measured for 10 different subjects and compared to the functional gain data. It was concluded that (a) for persons with mild to moderately severe hearing losses, appropriately adjusted custom ITE fittings typically yield speech intelligibility that is equal to the better OTE fitting identified in a comparative evaluation; and (b) gain prescriptions for ITE hearing aids should be adjusted to account for the high-frequency emphasis associated with in-the-concha microphone placement.

Modified Earpieces and CROS for High Frequency Hearing Losses

1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Dodds ◽  
Earl Harford
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Test Results ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Difficult Cases

Persons with a high frequency hearing loss are difficult cases for whom to find suitable amplification. We have experienced some success with this problem in our Hearing Clinics using a specially designed earmold with a hearing aid. Thirty-five cases with high frequency hearing losses were selected from our clinical files for analysis of test results using standard, vented, and open earpieces. A statistical analysis of test results revealed that PB scores in sound field, using an average conversational intensity level (70 dB SPL), were enhanced when utilizing any one of the three earmolds. This result was due undoubtedly to increased sensitivity provided by the hearing aid. Only the open earmold used with a CROS hearing aid resulted in a significant improvement in discrimination when compared with the group’s unaided PB score under earphones or when comparing inter-earmold scores. These findings suggest that the inclusion of the open earmold with a CROS aid in the audiologist’s armamentarium should increase his flexibility in selecting hearing aids for persons with a high frequency hearing loss.

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