The Reliability of Functional Gain

1990 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry E. Humes ◽  
Elizabeth U. Kirn
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Standard Deviations ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Functional Gain

This study examined the test-retest reliability of unaided and aided sound-field thresholds and the functional gain values derived from these measurements. Sound-field warble-tone thresholds were obtained at 250, 1000, and 4000 Hz from 24 hearing-impaired listeners with and without their hearing aids. Test-retest standard deviations were significantly larger for functional gain than for unaided thresholds, but only slightly and nonsignificantly larger than for aided thresholds. The variability of functional-gain measures is discussed in relation to measures of insertion gain obtained with probe-tube microphones.

Comparison of Hearing-Aid Gain Using Functional, Coupler, and Probe-Tube Measurements

1986 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Mason ◽  
Gerald R. Popelka
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Average Difference ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Tube System ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
Standard Deviations ◽  
Functional Gain

Measurements of functional gain were compared first to coupler gain for 57 subjects using one of three hearing aid—earmold combinations and second to probe-tube gain for 12 subjects using in-the-ear hearing aids. The average difference between functional and coupler gain plotted as a function of frequency yielded results that were similar to previous reports, with the greatest effects occurring at 3000 and 4000 Hz. Significant differences were seen among hearing aid—earmold combinations at 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz. Standard deviations for measurements between 750 and 2000 Hz were less than 5 dB and could be explained by variability of functional gain measures associated with test—retest variability of thresholds measured in a sound field. Below 750 Hz and above 2000 Hz, standard deviations exceeded 5 dB. The greater variability may be explained by differences in earmold venting, acoustic characteristics of the ear canal, and stimuli used to measure functional and coupler gain. Neither room nor hearing-aid noise appeared to affect the results significantly. When functional gain was compared to insertion gain measured with a probe-tube system, the average difference across frequencies was less than 1 dB. The variability of the differences at all frequencies, with the exception of 6000 Hz, was within the range reported for functional gain measurements. It was concluded that functional gain can be accurately estimated using probe-tube measurements.

scholarly journals Measuring the Influence of Noise Reduction on Listening Effort in Hearing-Impaired Listeners Using Response Times to an Arithmetic Task in Noise

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 233121652110144
Author(s):  
Ilja Reinten ◽  
Inge De Ronde-Brons ◽  
Rolph Houben ◽  
Wouter Dreschler
Keyword(s):  
Noise Reduction ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Arithmetic Task ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Influence Of Noise ◽  
Measured Response

Single microphone noise reduction (NR) in hearing aids can provide a subjective benefit even when there is no objective improvement in speech intelligibility. A possible explanation lies in a reduction of listening effort. Previously, we showed that response times (a proxy for listening effort) to an auditory-only dual-task were reduced by NR in normal-hearing (NH) listeners. In this study, we investigate if the results from NH listeners extend to the hearing-impaired (HI), the target group for hearing aids. In addition, we assess the relevance of the outcome measure for studying and understanding listening effort. Twelve HI subjects were asked to sum two digits of a digit triplet in noise. We measured response times to this task, as well as subjective listening effort and speech intelligibility. Stimuli were presented at three signal-to-noise ratios (SNR; –5, 0, +5 dB) and in quiet. Stimuli were processed with ideal or nonideal NR, or unprocessed. The effect of NR on response times in HI listeners was significant only in conditions where speech intelligibility was also affected (–5 dB SNR). This is in contrast to the previous results with NH listeners. There was a significant effect of SNR on response times for HI listeners. The response time measure was reasonably correlated ( R142 = 0.54) to subjective listening effort and showed a sufficient test–retest reliability. This study thus presents an objective, valid, and reliable measure for evaluating an aspect of listening effort of HI listeners.

scholarly journals Persian version of attitudes towards loss of hearing questionnaire

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Heidari ◽  
Jamileh Fatahi ◽  
Reza Hoseinabadi ◽  
Nematollah Rouhbakhsh ◽  
Sasan Dabiri Satri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Persian Version ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Loss Of Hearing

Background and Aim: Investigations have shown that the patient’s attitudes toward hearing loss and hearing aids impact hearing aid benefits and its use. In this regard, Saunders and Cien­kowski (1996) developed the “attitudes towards loss of hearing questionnaire” to examine some of the psychosocial factors underlying the use of hearing aids. This study has focused on pre­paring a Persian version of this questionnaire and analyzing its validity and reliability. Methods: The original English version of the questionnaire was translated into Persian, and its content and face validities were determined by related experts. The final questionnaire was administered to 100 hearing impaired people (52 males and 48 females) aged 30 to 65 years with the mean (SD) age of 54.54 (12.05) years. The test-retest reliability was assessed in 20 pat­ients. Results: The results of face validity assessment revealed that our questionnaire has a high quality in translation, intelligibility, and cultural compatibility. The mean scores of the content validity ratio and content validity index of this questionnaire was 0.71 and 0.98, respectively. The mean (SD) total score of this questionnaire was 60.46 (10.02) and the mean scores of denial of hearing loss, negative associations, negative coping strategies, manual dexterity and vision and hearing-related esteem were 15.58, 12.10, 20.40, 5.30, and 7.08, respectively. The overall Cronbach α value was 0.798. The test-retest reliability showed good results for the global score (Intraclass correlation = 0.989). Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the Persian version of the questionnaire possesses satisfactory validity and reliability.

Suinn Test Anxiety Behavior Scale: Normative Data for Graduate Students in Education

1982 ◽  
Vol 50 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1116-1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Earl J. Ginter ◽  
Joseph J. Scalise ◽  
Richard R. McKnight ◽  
Francis G. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Normative Data ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Anxiety Test ◽  
Anxiety Behavior ◽  
Behavior Scale ◽  
Standard Deviations ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

The Suinn Test Anxiety Behavior Scale was administered to both graduate and undergraduate students to reassess earlier findings (Suinn, 1969). The primary purpose of this study was to provide normative data for graduate students ( N = 153). Such information does not appear in Suinn's 1969 article. Means, standard deviations, and percentiles are reported for each sex, as well as for the total graduate sample. Females reported significantly higher test anxiety. Test-retest reliability over a 6-wk. interval was .73. In general, the findings for the graduate students were similar to Suinn's findings for undergraduates.

Frequency Responses of Hearing Aids and Their Effects on the Speech Perception of Hearing-Impaired Subjects

1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Pedeo Pascoe
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Word List ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Hearing Level ◽  
Closed Set ◽  
Frequency Responses ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Monosyllabic Words ◽  
Functional Gain

Eight hearing-impaired subjects were tested with a binaural master hearing aid. This aid has “on-the-head” miniature transducers and has an adjustable frequency response. Five frequency responses were used, two of them were defined by their response in a 2-cm3 coupler: 1) uniform coupler gain (UCG), and 2) 6 dB per octave rise (6 dB). The other responses were defined in terms of functional gain (difference between unaided and aided thresholds): 3) uniform functional gain (UFG); 4) uniform hearing level (UHL); and 5) a simulation of a commercial hearing aid (AS). A significant difference between coupler and functional gain was seen. Discrimination was tested with a special closed-set word list which includes fifty monosyllabic words with a high percentage of voiceless phonemes. Discrimination scores were consistently better with the UHL response. The lowest scores were obtained with the AS response. The average difference in scores between these two responses was 18.4%. Further testing replicated these results and also compared the effects of a different type of word list phonetically balanced (PB); with these lists, the above-mentioned difference in scores was smaller in quiet (5.9%) but larger in noise (20.9%).

Style Preference Survey: A Report on the Psychometric Properties and a Cross-Validation Experiment

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (02) ◽  
pp. 089-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherri L. Smith ◽  
Todd Ricketts ◽  
Rachel A. McArdle ◽  
Theresa H. Chisolm ◽  
Genevieve Alexander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Initial Experiment ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Validation Experiment ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Background: Several self-report measures exist that target different aspects of outcomes for hearing aid use. Currently, no comprehensive questionnaire specifically assesses factors that may be important for differentiating outcomes pertaining to hearing aid style. Purpose: The goal of this work was to develop the Style Preference Survey (SPS), a questionnaire aimed at outcomes associated with hearing aid style differences. Two experiments were conducted. After initial item development, Experiment 1 was conducted to refine the items and to determine its psychometric properties. Experiment 2 was designed to cross-validate the findings from the initial experiment. Research Design: An observational design was used in both experiments. Study Sample: Participants who wore traditional, custom-fitted (TC) or open-canal (OC) style hearing aids from 3 mo to 3 yr completed the initial experiment. One-hundred and eighty-four binaural hearing aid users (120 of whom wore TC hearing aids and 64 of whom wore OC hearing aids) participated. A new sample of TC and OC users (n = 185) participated in the cross-validation experiment. Data Collection and Analysis: Currently available self-report measures were reviewed to identify items that might differentiate between hearing aid styles, particularly preference for OC versus TC hearing aid styles. A total of 15 items were selected and modified from available self-report measures. An additional 55 items were developed through consensus of six audiologists for the initial version of the SPS. In the first experiment, the initial SPS version was mailed to 550 veterans who met the inclusion criteria. A total of 184 completed the SPS. Approximately three weeks later, a subset of participants (n = 83) completed the SPS a second time. Basic analyses were conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SPS including subscale structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and responsiveness. Based on the results of Experiment 1, the SPS was revised. A cross-validation experiment was then conducted using the revised version of the SPS to confirm the subscale structure, internal consistency, and responsiveness of the questionnaire in a new sample of participants. Results: The final factor analysis led to the ultimate version of the SPS, which had a total of 35 items encompassing five subscales: (1) Feedback, (2) Occlusion/Own Voice Effects, (3) Localization, (4) Fit, Comfort, and Cosmetics, and (5) Ease of Use. The internal consistency of the total SPS (Cronbach's α = .92) and of the subscales (each Cronbach's α > .75) was high. Intraclass correlations (ICCs) showed that the test-retest reliability of the total SPS (ICC = .93) and of the subscales (each ICC > .80) also was high. TC hearing aid users had significantly poorer outcomes than OC hearing aid users on 4 of the 5 subscales, suggesting that the SPS largely is responsive to factors related to style-specific differences. Conclusions: The results suggest that the SPS has good psychometric properties and is a valid and reliable measure of outcomes related to style-specific, hearing aid preference.

Maximum Real-Ear Gain of In-the-Ear Hearing Aids

1991 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faye N. Erickson ◽  
Dianne J. Van Tasell
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Volume Control ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Shell Size ◽  
Maximum Gain ◽  
Functional Gain

Three hearing aid manufacturers provided custom full-shell in-the-ear hearing aids for each of 3 hearing-impaired subjects. Each manufacturer was instructed that the hearing aids should provide the maximum possible acoustic gain within the limits of hearing aid shell size and available components. Coupler gain, insertion gain, and functional gain were measured for each hearing aid. Gain measures were made with the volume control at either the full-on setting or the highest setting possible before the onset of acoustical feedback. Full-on coupler gain curves were similar across all nine hearing aids. Individual differences in concha/ear canal size and in the fit of the hearing aids produced substantial variance in insertion gain across hearing aids. Peak insertion gain varied from 41 to 58 dB. If 10 dB reserve gain is allowed, the range of estimated peak use gain from these maximum-gain in-the-ear hearing aids is 31–48 dB.

The Auditory Perception Test for the Hearing Impaired-Revised: Test-Retest Reliability, Intra-rater Reliability, and Inter-rater Reliability

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-51
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Cordingley ◽  
Karen F. Muñoz ◽  
K. Todd Houston
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Auditory Perception ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Purpose: The aims of this study were to assess the test-retest, intra-rater, and inter-rater reliability of the Auditory Perception Test for the Hearing Impaired-Revised (APT/HI-R) for children with hearing loss. Method: This study used a cross-sectional design. Sixteen children between the ages of 3 and 10 years with bilateral hearing loss who wear amplification and use spoken language to communicate were included in this study. Results: Test-retest reliability was high (r = 0.98) for the complete test, and for all subsections of the test with the exception of the Linguistic Perception subsection. Reliability was also high for intra-rater (r = 0.99) and inter-rater (84%–92% rater agreement) reliability. Conclusion: The APT-HI/R showed high reliability in this study, comparable to results from the original pilot study.

Threshold Measurement Procedures in Brief-Tone Audiometry

1974 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan M. Richards ◽  
Jan Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Application ◽  
Temporal Integration ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Reliability Data ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Method Of Adjustment ◽  
Threshold Measurement

Two methods for determining brief-tone audiometric thresholds (at 1000 Hz) were investigated to assess the test-retest reliability and variability of each method. The results indicated that both methods (Bekesy-type tracking with either 1 or 2 dB/sec attenuation rates or the method of adjustment) yielded equivalent thresholds, variability, and reliability data. However, practical considerations dictated that the 2 dB/sec rate was best suited for future clinical application. Individual temporal integration functions for 20 normal-hearing subjects were presented and discussed in relation to their variability and to functions produced by hearing-impaired listeners.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document