Biomedical subjects

L Hickson

Publications and source records attributed to L Hickson.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Hearing impairment, disability and handicap in elderly people living in residential care and in the community.

This study aimed to compare the prevalence of hearing impairment, disability and handicap in the elderly living in residential care with those living in the community, and to examine the relationship between impairment, disability and handicap in both groups. Fifty community-based and 129 residential subjects were assessed using pure-tone audiometry as a measure of impairment, and a self-assessment questionnaire as a measure of disability and handicap. Community-based subjects were also assessed using a test of speech discrimination as an objective measure of disability. Results indicated 95% of residential subjects and 70% of community-based subjects were hearing-impaired, while 27% of residential subjects and 42% of community-based subjects demonstrated significant disability/handicap. Significant correlations were obtained between impairment, disability and handicap in both subject groups. The implications of the findings for the aural rehabilitation of the elderly are discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Communication difficulties of nursing home residents. How can staff help?

Recent studies have found a high prevalence of communication disorders in elderly residents of nursing homes. This study was undertaken to investigate staff attitudes to the communication problems and communicative needs of residents in their care. A questionnaire was administered to 32 staff members from one nursing home. Responses indicate little evidence of the negative staff attitudes previously reported in the literature. Staff wanted more time to spend communicating with residents and wanted to learn more about the residents' communication problems. Implications of the questionnaire responses for staff training are presented.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Consonant perception with linear and compression amplification.

The consonant perception of 15 subjects with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss was evaluated using linear amplification and two different types of compression amplification. A specially modified hearing aid was used which allowed for variation of the amplifier input/output function in three steps, such that the compression ratio could be set to 1 (linear), 1.3 or 1.8. The Nonsense Syllable Test (NST) was recorded through the aid in quiet and in two different noise conditions (four-talker babble and a background noise with sharp intermittent sounds), and replayed to the listeners through headphones. No differences in consonant perception were found between the different types of amplification in the quiet condition. In the babble condition, consonant perception was significantly better with linear amplification than with either form of compression. In the sharp noise condition, there was no difference in performance between linear amplification and compression amplification with the ratio of 1.8. Consonant perception was adversely affected, however, by the compression and amplification with the ratio of 1.3 in this condition. Overall NST results and results for particular classes of consonants are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Performance of assistive listening devices using insertion gain measures.

The electroacoustic performance characteristics of seven assistive listening devices (ALDs), that did not need to be coupled with a hearing aid, were measured using real ear insertion gain. The ALDs, which included TV listening systems and personal amplification systems, were measured on ten subjects. Electroacoustic performance of the ALDs varied although there were similarities for different types of devices. Frequency responses were either basically flat or had an emphasis in the low or mid-frequency region. The majority of devices provided negligible amplification when set at or below half volume. Total harmonic distortion was 10% or less for most ALDs. Overall, insertion gain measures were found to be of value in evaluating the effectiveness of this type of amplification device.

Amplifiers, Electronic↗

PubMed1992

Clinical reliability of insertion gain measurements with assistive listening devices.

Real ear insertion gain was measured in 14 persons fitted with a variety of common assistive listening devices. Measurements were made in a quiet, but not soundproofed, clinical environment. The reliability of such insertion gain measures was studied, both for short-term and long-term test-retest conditions. The results indicated that insertion gain measurement of assistive listening devices can be performed as a routine clinical procedure. Intrasubject standard deviations were comparable in most cases to those clinically obtained using hearing aids with custom ear moulds.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship between attitudinal and behavioral change in pediatric residents in a psychiatric liaison teaching program: a pilot study.

Two behavioral measures--chart audits and requests for psychiatric consultations--and two attitudinal measures--case conference comments and a case management questionnaire--were used to assess changes in pediatric residents' approaches to psychosocial issues over the course of liaison training. Both attitudinal measures showed changes in the residents' approaches, including an increased attention to patients' and families' feelings and an expanded awareness of the options available in dealing with psychosocial problems. These changes in attitude, however, did not result in increases in the amount of psychosocial data recorded in the charts or increases in resident-initiated consultation requests. The authors use their observations on the wards and in case conferences and interviews with pediatric residents to explain why chart contents and psychiatric consultation practices are resistant to change. Their findings indicate a gap between attitudinal and behavioral change that requires further research on how pediatric residents identify psychosocial problems, and how liaison training is integrated with the needs and expectations of nonpsychiatric physicians.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗