[Correction of hearing disorders with hearing aids; hearing aids and their adjustment].
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Adaptation, Psychological↗
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Results for “HEARING AIDS”
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Hearing aids & hearing deterioration.
The literature contains articles which report that the deterioration of hearing is increased by the use of hearing aids, and others which show that there is no increase. The results of our experience with 261 patients over a ten-year period show that there is no increase in hearing loss in the aided ear which can be attributed to the use of a hearing aid.
Adult↗
Follow up of people fitted with hearing aids. Hearing therapists should explore whole subject of emotional and social support.
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Adult↗
The effect of attitude on benefit obtained from hearing aids.
Hearing aids are obtained or provided with the primary objective of diminishing the handicapping effect of hearing impairment. The benefit obtained from amplification by an individual can be assessed in many different ways. The amount of use made of the hearing aid has the merits of reasonable accuracy, relevance and simplicity in determination. Poor use of hearing aids may be a result of many factors. Modern instruments are technically adequate to the needs of most candidates provided they are correctly fitted. The reasons for disuse and under-use nowadays appear to be more related to the attitude of the potential user. To investigate this aspect of hearing aid provision, questionnaires have been sent to hearing aid candidates prior to the supply of the instrument. These questionnaires have been designed to assess such factors as failure to come to terms with the hearing loss, perceptions of stigma associated with hearing aids, lack of support or even overt hostility from close relatives, and withdrawal from social contacts. The relationships between these attitude measurements and outcome in terms of daily use of the aid 4 months later have been investigated. The findings of this study support the concept that attitude is a significant determinant of hearing aid use, and also suggest that aberrant attitudes can, in many individuals, be modified by counselling such that a better outcome can be achieved.
Aged↗
Hearing aids and hearing aid dealers.
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Advertising↗
Assessing speech recognition in noise for listeners with a signal processor hearing aid.
Hearing aids with signal processors use advanced circuitry to enhance speech recognition in noise. The effectiveness of these processors has not been well established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate performance on a speech recognition in noise task for listeners wearing a Zeta signal processor aid with the processor turned on and with the processor turned off. In addition, comparisons were made to performance while unaided and aided with a conventional hearing aid. A simple adaptive procedure and a psychometric function were the procedures used. Results for normal-hearing subjects indicate performance was usually better without a hearing aid. Performance when aided was similar for the processor on and the conventional aid. Performance in both of these conditions was clearly better than with the signal processor off. Although results for the hearing-impaired subjects varied widely, there was a trend for better performance with the conventional aid and with the signal processor on than for the signal processor off condition.
Adaptation, Physiological↗
Special educators' knowledge of, exposure to, and attitudes toward hearing aids and hearing aid wearers.
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Attitude↗
The neural representation of consonant-vowel transitions in adults who wear hearing AIDS.
Hearing aids help compensate for disorders of the ear by amplifying sound; however, their effectiveness also depends on the central auditory system's ability to represent and integrate spectral and temporal information delivered by the hearing aid. The authors report that the neural detection of time-varying acoustic cues contained in speech can be recorded in adult hearing aid users using the acoustic change complex (ACC). Seven adults (50-76 years) with mild to severe sensorineural hearing participated in the study. When presented with 2 identifiable consonant-vowel (CV) syllables ("shee" and "see"), the neural detection of CV transitions (as indicated by the presence of a P1-N1-P2 response) was different for each speech sound. More specifically, the latency of the evoked neural response coincided in time with the onset of the vowel, similar to the latency patterns the authors previously reported in normal-hearing listeners.
Aged↗
Low-frequency gain compensation in directional hearing aids.
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.
Adult↗
Development and evaluation of a procedure for fitting multi-channel compression hearing aids.
Hearing aids with multi-channel compression are often fitted on the basis of loudness scaling data obtained using narrow bands of noise or tones. Here, we report the development and evaluation of an alternative fitting procedure based on the use of speech signals. The parameters of the hearing aid (the gains in each channel for high and low input levels) are adjusted adaptively under computer control on the basis of the listener's responses. The goal is that speech at 85 dB SPL should be judged as 'loud', speech at 60 dB SPL should be judged as 'quiet', and speech at both levels should be judged as 'neither tinny nor boomy'. The procedure was evaluated using a two-channel compression hearing aid, the remote control of which allowed two programs to be stored. One program was based on our fitting procedure. The other was either based on the manufacturer's recommended full fitting procedure (which included loudness scaling with bands of noise), or was based on the audiogram alone, using the manufacturer's algorithm. After an acclimatization period of at least two weeks, subjects were then asked to fill in a questionnaire about their experiences with the two programs in different listening situations. The results generally indicated a preference for the program based on our adaptive fitting procedure. We also conducted laboratory measurements of speech intelligibility, in quiet and in a background of a single competing talker. These showed no clear difference between programs, although scores overall were very high. We conclude that our adaptive procedure gives very satisfactory results in everyday life. Parameter values giving good comfort also give good intelligibility. The procedure typically takes between five and 10 minutes per ear, which is quicker than most loudness scaling procedures.
Hearing Aids↗
A "virtual hearing aid" for comparing hearing aids in children: a double-blind crossover study.
In this study, a "virtual hearing aid" was used to compare different types of hearing aids. A digital hearing aid (Oticon DigiFocus Compact) and an analogue, automatic reference hearing aid were compared in a group of 17 schoolchildren (median age: 10 years) with moderate to severe, symmetrical, sensorineural hearing loss. Differences in performance were assessed using routine diagnostic methods (speech recognition performance tests, loudness scaling), subjective assessments (questionnaires) and the "virtual hearing aid". Guaranteeing double-blind testing conditions, the "virtual hearing aid" offers the possibility to directly compare individual in-situ recordings of different hearing aids. In contrast to the clear subjective preferences for the digital hearing aid, we could not obtain any significant results with routine diagnostic methods. Using the "virtual hearing aid", the subjective comparison and speech recognition performance tasks yielded significant differences. The "virtual hearing aid" proved to be suitable for directly comparing different hearing aids under double-blind testing conditions.
Child↗
Auditory brainstem responses and usefulness of hearing aids in hearing impaired children with Cornelia de Lange syndrome.
OBJECTIVE: To examine auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABRs) of children with Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CDLS) to evaluate hearing and the utility of hearing aids in hearing impaired cases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirteen Japanese infants and children with CDLS were studied. Behavioral observation audiometry and ABR were used to evaluate hearing. RESULT: Four different ABR patterns at 85 dB clicks were observed: no response in either ear (6 patients); clear ABRs in both ears (2 patients); no response in one ear but ABRs recorded in the other ear (3 patients); and no peaks after wave III in one ear and ABRs recorded in the other ear (2 patients). However, in 2 patients with no response in either ear at the first measurement, ABRs were recorded in one ear within 2 years. Three out of 13 patients exhibited better responses to sound through the use of hearing aids and auditory training. CONCLUSIONS: The fitting of hearing aids and early consistent training have a significant effect on auditory development in CDLS children in terms of making them aware of sound localization and the different types of environmental sound.
Audiometry↗
[Temporal resolution with a hearing aid in hearing impaired persons].
The purpose of hearing aid fitting is to improve the communication of the hearing impaired. Despite rigorous efforts to optimize hearing aid fitting there are still some patients who remain unsatisfied. The subject of research was to find improved methods of measuring, to increase the correlation between subjective information from the patient and objectively measurable data. With this goal in mind the variation of temporal resolution in hearing aid fitting was investigated in 88 patients comparing unaided and aided hearing basing on the method of determining the temporal resolution factor TRF at 500 Hz, 1500 Hz and 4000 Hz under free sound field conditions, as previously described by Schorn and Zwicker. The method is based on masking period patterns but measures only their maximum and minimum using continuous and 30-Hz square-wave amplitude modulated masking noise. The following three values of interest are measured: Threshold in quiet using interrupted continuous tones (500 ms on, 500 ms off) with the masker off; threshold masked by a continuous masker (octave-wide continuous noise) and threshold masked by a rectangulary modulated masker using 14 Hz, so that periods of 72 ms and pauses of 36 ms occur. TRF was defined as the ratio between the level differences derived from the three measured values. For normal hearing subjects this factor is about 1. The results show significant variation of the TRF comparing the data of the patients with and without hearing aids. The values for TRF unaided were 0.5 and 0.6 as well as under hearing aid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Audiometry, Pure-Tone↗
Effect of hearing aids on hearing disability and quality of life in the elderly.
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of fitting a hearing aid by measuring the benefits derived from hearing aid use. Besides audiologic tests, a short version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly, and the EuroQol questionnaire were used in a prospective study. Ninety-eight first-time hearing aid users were interviewed prior to, and six months after, the fitting of their first hearing aids. The total HHIE-S score changed from 28.7 before, to 12.7 six months after, hearing aid fitting. Altogether 40%-60% of the users reported fewer social or emotional problems. There was a statistically significant positive change in the EQ-VAS score. According to the HHIE-S, hearing aids clearly alleviated hearing disability. The EQ-5D questionnaire was not sensitive enough for measuring the health-related quality of life of subjects with hearing impairment.
Aged↗
Comparison of performance with frequency transposition hearing aids and conventional hearing aids.
Four experienced hearing aid users were evaluated using a frequency transposition (TranSonic) hearing system. Following a trial period, the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Performance (APHAB) and a variety of speech audiometric measures were used to compare the frequency transposition fitting with each subject's conventional hearing aids. A single-subject study design with a series of repeated measures permitted statistical analysis of differences in performance with the various amplification strategies. Two of the four subjects demonstrated statistically significant benefit with the frequency transposition device. Results show the efficacy of frequency transposition in improving speech understanding and quality of life in some individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Overall, results suggest the need for evaluating the benefit of frequency transposition on an individual basis.
Adult↗
Comparison of performance with frequency transposition hearing aids and conventional hearing aids.
Four experienced hearing aid users were evaluated using a frequency transposition (TranSonic) hearing system. Following a trial period, the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Performance (APHAB) and a variety of speech audiometric measures were used to compare the frequency transposition fitting with each subject's conventional hearing aids. A single-subject study design with a series of repeated measures permitted statistical analysis of differences in performance with the various amplification strategies. Two of the four subjects demonstrated statistically significant benefit with the frequency transposition device. Results show the efficacy of frequency transposition in improving speech understanding and quality of life in some individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Overall, results suggest the need for evaluating the benefit of frequency transposition on an individual basis.
Acoustic Stimulation↗
On the evaluation of a new generation of hearing aids.
Hearing aids with new technological features offer the promise of novel speech-processing and loudness-control capabilities. Full exploitation and assessment of these capabilities will call for the acceptance of fitting and evaluation strategies different from those currently used for traditional linear hearing aids. Until an appropriate set of procedures comes into relatively widespread use, it will be difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the desirability and effectiveness of the new options in amplification systems. This paper reviews some of the issues that should be considered as new evaluation procedures are explored.
Amplifiers, Electronic↗
Comparison of the bone anchored hearing aid implantable hearing device with contralateral routing of offside signal amplification in the rehabilitation of unilateral deafness.
OBJECTIVE: Monaural hearing imposes constraints under many listening conditions. The authors compared the effects of a semi-implantable bone conductor, the Entific bone anchored hearing aid, with conventional contralateral routing of offside signal amplification to assess rehabilitative benefit in adults with unilateral deafness. DESIGN: Prospective trials of subjects with unilateral deafness using benefit surveys, source identification testing, and hearing in noise testing. SETTING: Tertiary referral center, outpatient surgical and audiologic services. PATIENTS: Adults with unilateral deafness (pure tone average >90 dB, SD <20%) after acoustic neuroma excision (n = 7), meningitis (n = 1), sudden sensorineural hearing loss (n = 1), and sudden sensorineural hearing loss with chronic suppurative otitis media (n = 1). Entry criteria included normal hearing in the contralateral ear (pure tone average <25 dB, SD >80%). INTERVENTION: Subjects were fitted with contralateral routing of offside signal amplification devices for 1 month and tested with contralateral routing of offside signal before mastoid implantation of the deaf ear, fitting, and testing for bone anchored hearing aid. OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects' assessment of experience with their devices and patterns of use, 2) source azimuth identification in noise test, and 3) speech discrimination in quiet and in noise under conditions of noise-front, noise-to-normal-ear, and noise-to-deaf-ear. RESULTS: There was consistent satisfaction with bone anchored hearing aid implantation and amplification, and poor acceptance of contralateral routing of offside signal amplification. Sound localization was poor at baseline and with both bone anchored hearing aid and contralateral routing of offside signal. Relative to baseline, contralateral routing of offside signal and bone anchored hearing aid produced significantly better speech recognition in noise under most conditions. The bone anchored hearing aid enabled significantly better speech recognition than contralateral routing of offside signal in quiet and in a composite of noise conditions. The advantages may relate to averting the interference of speech signals delivered to the better ear, as occurs with conventional contralateral routing of offside signal amplification. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data in subjects with normal monaural hearing indicate that vibromechanical stimulation with the bone anchored hearing aid overcomes some of the negative head shadow effects in unilateral deafness. The bone anchored hearing aid system, when placed on the side of a deaf ear, yields greater benefit in subjects with normal monaural hearing than does contralateral routing of offside signal amplification. It seems that this rehabilitative approach can expand the sound field of monaural listeners in further enhancing speech understanding. Observations suggest that further understanding of bone conduction as implemented in transcranial stimulation will guide further options for patients with monaural hearing. Longer follow-up will help to determine whether communicative skill improvements with the bone anchored hearing aid outweigh the disadvantages of implantation surgery, costs, and device maintenance.
Adult↗