The Effects of Venting and Low-Frequency Gain Compensation on Performance in Noise with Directional Hearing Instruments

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (03) ◽  
pp. 168-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda C. Freyaldenhoven ◽  
Patrick N. Plyler ◽  
James W. Thelin ◽  
Anna K. Nabelek ◽  
Samuel B. Burchfield
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Directional Hearing ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Speech Understanding ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Speech Understanding In Noise ◽  
Hearing Instruments ◽  
Gain Compensation

The present study investigated the effects of gain compensation and venting on front-to-back ratios (FBRs), speech understanding in noise, and acceptance of noise in 19 listeners with hearing impairment utilizing directional hearing instruments. The participants were separated into two groups based on degree of low-frequency hearing sensitivity. Subjects were fitted binaurally with Starkey Axent II programmable behind-the-ear hearing aids and full-shell earmolds (select-a-vent). Results demonstrated that gain compensation and venting significantly affected FBRs for both groups; however, acceptance of noise was not significantly affected by gain compensation or venting for either group. Results further demonstrated that speech understanding in noise was unaffected by venting but may be improved with the use of gain compensation for some listeners. Clinical implications are discussed.

Low-Frequency Gain Compensation in Directional Hearing Aids

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd Ricketts ◽  
Paula Henry
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Directional Hearing ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Directional Microphone ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Gain Compensation

Hearing aids currently available on the market with both omnidirectional and directional microphone modes often have reduced amplification in the low frequencies when in directional microphone mode due to better phase matching. The effects of this low-frequency gain reduction for individuals with hearing loss in the low frequencies was of primary interest. Changes in sound quality for quiet listening environments following gain compensation in the low frequencies was of secondary interest. Thirty participants were fit with bilateral in-the-ear hearing aids, which were programmed in three ways while in directional microphone mode: no-gain compensation, adaptive-gain compensation, and full-gain compensation. All participants were tested with speech in noise tasks. Participants also made sound quality judgments based on monaural recordings made from the hearing aid. Results support a need for gain compensation for individuals with low-frequency hearing loss of greater than 40 dB HL.

Acceptance of Noise with Monaural and Binaural Amplification

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (09) ◽  
pp. 659-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda C. Freyaldenhoven ◽  
Patrick N. Plyler ◽  
James W. Thelin ◽  
Samuel B. Burchfield
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Speech Understanding ◽  
Speech Understanding In Noise ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Interaural Differences

The present study investigated the effects of monaural and binaural amplification on speech understanding in noise and acceptance of noise for 39 listeners with hearing impairment. Results demonstrated that speech understanding in noise improved with binaural amplification; however, acceptance of noise was not dependent on monaural or binaural amplification for most listeners. These results suggest that although two hearing aids maximize speech understanding ability in noise, most individuals' acceptance of noise, which is directly related to hearing aid use, may not be affected by the use of binaural amplification. It should be noted that monaural amplification resulted in greater acceptance of noise for some listeners, indicating that binaural amplification may negatively affect some individuals' willingness to wear hearing aids. It should also be noted that interaural differences in acceptance of noise might exist for some listeners; therefore, if only one hearing aid is fitted, monaural ANLs should be measured.

Acoustics of Sound Production and of Hearing in the Bladder Cicada Cystosoma Saundersii (Westwood)

1978 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.H. FLETCHER ◽  
K. G. HILL
Keyword(s):  
Sound Production ◽  
Abdominal Cavity ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Sound Intensity ◽  
Electrical Network ◽  
Directional Hearing ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
Radiated Sound ◽  
Song Frequency

The male cicada of the species Cystosoma saundersii has a grossly enlarged, hollow abdomen and emits a loud calling song with a fundamental frequency of about 800 Hz. At the song frequency, its hearing is nondirectional. The female of C. saundersii lacks sound producing organs, has no enlargement of the abdomen, but possesses an abdominal air sac and has well developed directional hearing at the frequency of the species' song. Physical mechanisms are proposed that explain these observations in semi-quantitative detail using the standard method of electrical network analogues. The abdomen in the male, with its enclosed air, is found to act as a system resonant at the song frequency, thus contributing a large gain in radiated sound intensity. Coupling between this resonator and the auditory tympana accounts for the observed hearing sensitivity in the male, but destroys directionality. In the female, the abdominal cavity acts in association with the two auditory tympana as part of a phase shift network which results in appreciable directionality of hearing at the unusually low frequency of the male song.

Evaluation of Hardwire Personal Assistive Listening Devices

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Dempsey ◽  
Mark Ross
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Frequency Responses ◽  
Subjective Evaluations ◽  
Potential Benefits

A large number of personal amplifiers have recently become available commercially. These devices have not been classified as hearing aids by the FDA and are therefore not subject to the FDA rules and regulations governing the sales of hearing aid devices. In this investigation, several of these personal amplifiers were evaluated to determine potential benefits and problems for each device. The devices were evaluated electroacoustically and, also, subjectively by a group of adults with sensorineural hearing loss. The results of the electroacoustic evaluation revealed very sharply peaked frequency responses. The subjective evaluations revealed tremendous variability, with some preferences for power and low-frequency amplification. Clinical implications of these results and suggestions for further research are provided.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Benefit of Hearing Aids with Motion-Based Beamformer Steering in a Real-World Setup

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solveig Christina Voss ◽  
M Kathleen Pichora-Fuller ◽  
Ieda Ishida ◽  
April Emily Pereira ◽  
Julia Seiter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Real World ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Directional Hearing ◽  
Motion Sensor ◽  
Speech Understanding ◽  
Aid Programs

Background:Conventional directional hearing aid microphone technology would obstruct listening intentions in walking situations when the talker and listener walk side by side. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate hearing aids that use a motion sensor to address listening needs during walking. Methods:Participants were 22 older adults with moderate-to-severe hearing loss and experience using hearing aids. Each participant completed two walks in randomized order, one walk with each of two hearing aid programs: 1) a conventional classifier that activated an adaptive, multiband beamformer in loud environments and 2) a classifier that additionally utilized motion-based beamformer steering. Participants walked along a pre-defined track and completed tasks assessing speech understanding and environmental awareness. Results:Most participants preferred the motion-based beamformer steering for speech understanding, environmental awareness, overall listening, and sound quality (p<0.05). Additionally, measures of speech understanding (p<0.01) and localization of sound stimuli (p<0.05) were significantly better with the motion-based beamformer steering than with the conventional classifier.Conclusion:The results suggest that hearing aid users benefit from classifiers that use motion sensor input to adapt the signal processing according to the user’s activity. The real-world setup of this study had limitations but also high ecological validity.

scholarly journals Sound Localization in Single-Sided Deaf Participants Provided With a Cochlear Implant

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Annemarie Ludwig ◽  
Sylvia Meuret ◽  
Rolf-Dieter Battmer ◽  
Marc Schönwiesner ◽  
Michael Fuchs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Sound Localization ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Speech Understanding ◽  
Speech Understanding In Noise ◽  
Single Sided Deafness

Spatial hearing is crucial in real life but deteriorates in participants with severe sensorineural hearing loss or single-sided deafness. This ability can potentially be improved with a unilateral cochlear implant (CI). The present study investigated measures of sound localization in participants with single-sided deafness provided with a CI. Sound localization was measured separately at eight loudspeaker positions (4°, 30°, 60°, and 90°) on the CI side and on the normal-hearing side. Low- and high-frequency noise bursts were used in the tests to investigate possible differences in the processing of interaural time and level differences. Data were compared to normal-hearing adults aged between 20 and 83. In addition, the benefit of the CI in speech understanding in noise was compared to the localization ability. Fifteen out of 18 participants were able to localize signals on the CI side and on the normal-hearing side, although performance was highly variable across participants. Three participants always pointed to the normal-hearing side, irrespective of the location of the signal. The comparison with control data showed that participants had particular difficulties localizing sounds at frontal locations and on the CI side. In contrast to most previous results, participants were able to localize low-frequency signals, although they localized high-frequency signals more accurately. Speech understanding in noise was better with the CI compared to testing without CI, but only at a position where the CI also improved sound localization. Our data suggest that a CI can, to a large extent, restore localization in participants with single-sided deafness. Difficulties may remain at frontal locations and on the CI side. However, speech understanding in noise improves when wearing the CI. The treatment with a CI in these participants might provide real-world benefits, such as improved orientation in traffic and speech understanding in difficult listening situations.

An Improved Frequency-Shift Compression Method Based on Auto Energy Gain Compensation for Digital Hearing Aids

2015 ◽  
Vol 719-720 ◽  
pp. 1068-1073
Author(s):  
Zhi Liang Zhao ◽  
Zhao Yang Guo ◽  
Xiang Xiang Luo ◽  
Feng Jie Xue ◽  
Xin An Wang
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Energy Gain ◽  
Compression Method ◽  
Subjective Test ◽  
Theoretical Simulation ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Gain Compensation ◽  
Speech Loudness

Sensorineural hearing impaired individuals have narrow hearing range, especially in high frequency. Due to acoustic diffusion masking, just amplifying speech can’t meet patients’ demands. Traditional methods restore the signal of high frequency in low frequency, which has two weaknesses. On the one hand high frequency covers low frequency, on the other hand the methods change the energy of speech. These two aspects severely decrease speech loudness, perception and recognition. To solve the above problems, we have proposed an improved frequency shifting compression method based on Auto Energy Gain Compensation (AEGC) which is used for hearing aids. Fully investigating the relationship of speech frequency with energy and recognition, the scheme selectively keeps the information of vital frequency band. Meanwhile, it compensates the speech loudness with AEGC module. With the proposed scheme, it has obviously improved the speech perception and recognition. Both the theoretical simulation result and subjective test in APP on android platform show the energy is compensated and the speech recognition ratios are enhanced 20%-30% in different environments, especially efficient in quiet, noisy and normal environment.

Frequency-Discrimination Ability of Hearing-Impaired Listeners

1981 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Zurek ◽  
C. Formby
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Frequency Modulation ◽  
Hearing Threshold ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Frequency Discrimination ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Discrimination Ability ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity

Thresholds for frequency modulation were measured by an adaptive, two-alternative, forced-choice method with ten listeners: eight who showed varying degrees of sensorineural hearing impairment, and two with normal-hearing sensitivity. Results for test frequencies spaced at octave intervals between 125 and 4000 Hz showed that, relative to normal-hearing listeners, the ability of the hearing-impaired listeners to detect a sinusoidal frequency modulation: (1) is diminished above a certain level of hearing loss; and (2) is more disrupted for low-frequency tones than for high-frequency tones, given the same degree of hearing loss at the test frequency. The first finding is consistent with that of previous studies which show a general deterioration of frequency-discrimination ability associated with moderate, or worse, hearing loss. It is proposed that the second finding may be explained: 1) by differential impairment of the temporal and place mechanisms presumed to, encode pitch at the lower and higher frequencies, respectively; and/or, 2) for certain configurations of hearing loss, by the asymmetrical pattern of cochlear excitation that may lead to the underestimation, from measurements of threshold sensitivity, of hearing impairment for low-frequency tones and consequently to relatively large changes in frequency discrimination for small shifts in hearing threshold.

Presbycusis, Part 1: Can You Hear the Music Of Life?

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Hutchison ◽  
Eleanor K. Covan ◽  
Janet C. Bogus
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Short Period

We used a novel approach allowing participants in this study to self-monitor their hearing sensitivity to familiar sounds in the environment. The objective of this approach was to establish whether participants in the 80–89 and 90–99 age groups would recognize the degree of their hearing impairment. It was our hope that participants would value audiology treatment and that it would improve their quality of life over a short period. The pilot study took place in a clinical environment where participants answered survey questions before and after audiology treatment, which pertained to their hearing impairment, morale, social support, and life satisfaction. Caregivers were included in the research to rate and record participants’ problem behaviors (e.g., shouting, anger, agitation, repetitive speech dialog, and depression) before, during, and after treatment. This research validates other scientists’ findings that annoying problem behaviors may actually be the result of hearing loss because of a person’s inability to recognize speech. The pilot study shows that participants with mild dementia adapted well to speech and sounds in the natural environment without agitation as well as to management of hearing aids within a 30-day period. The participants with moderate dementia were slower to adapt. All participants with dementia required the cooperation of their caregivers to maintain hygiene of ear canals and hearing aids and insertion. This study suggests that the sooner people receive treatment for hearing loss, the quicker they are to recognize speech and to master hearing aid technology.

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