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Improvements in speech perception with an experimental nonlinear frequency compression hearing device.

Andrea Simpson·Adam A Hersbach·Hugh J McDermott
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Abstract

The performance of an experimental frequency compression hearing device was evaluated using tests of speech understanding in quiet. The device compressed frequencies above a programmable cut-off, resulting in those parts of the input signal being shifted to lower frequencies. Below the cut-off, signals were amplified without frequency shifting. Subjects were experienced hearing aid users with moderate-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss and sloping audiograms. Their recognition of monosyllabic words was tested using the experimental device in comparison with conventional hearing aids. Of the 17 subjects, eight showed a significant score improvement (p < 0.05), whereas one subject showed a significant score decrease. Some of the improvements may have resulted from the better audibility provided in the high frequencies by the experimental device in comparison with the conventional aids. However, a subsequent study found that increasing the high-frequency gain in the conventional aids did not produce equivalent perceptual benefits.

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Acoustic StimulationAgedAged, 80 and overDichotic Listening TestsFemaleHearing AidsHearing Loss, SensorineuralHumansMaleMiddle AgedSpeech PerceptionTreatment OutcomeJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Andrea Simpson, Adam A Hersbach, Hugh J McDermott. 2005. Improvements in speech perception with an experimental nonlinear frequency compression hearing device.. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992020500060636

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