scholarly journals Slow Cortical Potentials and Amplification—Part II: Acoustic Measures

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorienne M. Jenstad ◽  
Susan Marynewich ◽  
David R. Stapells
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Application ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Rise Time ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Slow Cortical Potentials ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Acoustic Measures ◽  
Tonal Stimuli ◽  
Reliable Increase

In a previous study, we investigated slow cortical potential (SCP) N1-P2 amplitudes and N1 latencies in aided and unaided conditions, with the finding that despite being set to provide 20 or 40 dB of gain, none of the hearing aids resulted in a reliable increase in SCP response amplitude relative to the unaided (Marynewich et al., in press). The current study investigates the effects of hearing-aid processing on acoustic measures for two 1000-Hz tonal stimuli: short (60 ms) and long (757 ms), presented at three intensities (30, 50, 70 dB SPL) in aided and unaided conditions using three hearing aids (Analog, DigitalA, DigitalB) with two gain settings (20, 40 dB). Acoustic results indicate that gain achieved by the hearing aids, measured at 30 ms after stimulus onset, for both the short and long stimuli, was less than real-ear insertion gain measured with standard hearing aid test signals. Additionally, the digital hearing aids altered the rise time of the stimuli such that maximum gain was reached well past 30 ms after stimulus onset; rise times differed between the digital aids. These results indicate that aided SCP results must be cautiously interpreted and that further research is required for clinical application.

scholarly journals Slow Cortical Potentials and Amplification—Part I: N1-P2 Measures

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Marynewich ◽  
Lorienne M. Jenstad ◽  
David R. Stapells
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Slow Cortical Potentials ◽  
Tonal Stimulus ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Conflicting Evidence ◽  
Reliable Increase ◽  
Cortical Potentials

Slow cortical potentials (SCPs) are currently of great interest in the hearing aid fitting process for infants; however, there is conflicting evidence in the literature concerning the use of SCPs for this purpose. The current study investigated SCP amplitudes and latencies in young normal-hearing listeners in response to a 60 ms duration tonal stimulus (1000 Hz) presented at three intensities (30, 50, and 70 dB SPL) in aided and unaided conditions using three hearing aids (Analog, DigitalA, and DigitalB) with two gain settings (20 and 40 dB). Results showed that SCP amplitudes were smaller for the digital hearing aids compared with the analog hearing aid, and none of the hearing aids resulted in a reliable increase in response amplitude relative to the unaided across conditions. SCP latencies in analog conditions were not significantly different from latencies in the unaided conditions; however, both digital hearing aids resulted in significantly delayed SCP latencies. The results of the current study (as well as several previous studies) indicate that the SCP may not accurately reflect the amplified stimulus expected from the prescribed hearing aids. Thus, “aided-SCP” results must be interpreted with caution, and more research is required concerning possible clinical use of this technique.

Performance Improvement of Digital Hearing Aid Systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Isiaka Ajewale Alimi
Keyword(s):  
Noise Reduction ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Digital Signal Processor ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Spectral Subtraction ◽  
Residual Spectrum ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Digital Hearing Aid

Digital hearing aids addresses the issues of noise and speech intelligibility that is associated with the analogue types. One of the main functions of the digital signal processor (DSP) of digital hearing aid systems is noise reduction which can be achieved by speech enhancement algorithms which in turn improve system performance and flexibility. However, studies have shown that the quality of experience (QoE) with some of the current hearing aids is not up to expectation in a noisy environment due to interfering sound, background noise and reverberation. It is also suggested that noise reduction features of the DSP can be further improved accordingly. Recently, we proposed an adaptive spectral subtraction algorithm to enhance the performance of communication systems and address the issue of associated musical noise generated by the conventional spectral subtraction algorithm. The effectiveness of the algorithm has been confirmed by different objective and subjective evaluations. In this study, an adaptive spectral subtraction algorithm is implemented using the noise-estimation algorithm for highly non-stationary noisy environments instead of the voice activity detection (VAD) employed in our previous work due to its effectiveness. Also, signal to residual spectrum ratio (SR) is implemented in order to control the amplification distortion for speech intelligibility improvement. The results show that the proposed scheme gives comparatively better performance and can be easily employed in digital hearing aid system for improving speech quality and intelligibility.

Expectations, Prefitting Counseling, and Hearing Aid Outcome

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (05) ◽  
pp. 320-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle H. Saunders ◽  
M Samantha Lewis ◽  
Anna Forsline
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Initial Contact ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Unrealistic Expectations

Background: Data suggest that having high expectations about hearing aids results in better overall outcome. However, some have postulated that excessively high expectations will result in disappointment and thus poor outcome. It has been suggested that counseling patients with unrealistic expectations about hearing aids prior to fitting may be beneficial. Data, however, are mixed as to the effectiveness of such counseling, in terms of both changes in expectations and final outcome. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether supplementing prefitting counseling with demonstration of real-world listening can (1) alter expectations of new hearing aid users and (2) increase satisfaction over verbal-only counseling. Secondary goals of the study were to examine (1) the relationship between prefitting expectations and postfitting outcome, and (2) the effect of hearing aid fine-tuning on hearing aid outcome. Research Design: Sixty new hearing aid users were fitted binaurally with Beltone Oria behind-the-ear digital hearing aids. Forty participants received prefitting counseling and demonstration of listening situations with the Beltone AVE™ (Audio Verification Environment) system; 20 received prefitting counseling without a demonstration of listening situations. Hearing aid expectations were measured at initial contact and following prefitting counseling. Reported hearing aid outcome was measured after eight to ten weeks of hearing aid use. Study Sample: Sixty new hearing aid users aged between 55 and 81 years with symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups, between which the prefitting counseling and follow-up differed: Group 1 received prefitting counseling in combination with demonstration of listening situations. Additionally, if the participant had complaints about sound quality at the follow-up visit, the hearing aids were fine-tuned using the Beltone AVE system. Group 2 received prefitting counseling in combination with demonstration of listening situations with the Beltone AVE system, but no fine-tuning was provided at follow-up. Group 3 received prefitting hearing aid counseling that did not include demonstration of listening, and the hearing aids were not fine-tuned at the follow-up appointment. Results: The results showed that prefitting hearing aid counseling had small but significant effects on expectations. The two forms of counseling did not differ in their effectiveness at changing expectations; however, anecdotally, we learned from many participants that that they enjoyed listening to the auditory demonstrations and that they found them to be an interesting listening exercise. The data also show that positive expectations result in more positive outcome and that hearing aid fine-tuning is beneficial to the user. Conclusions: We conclude that prefitting counseling can be advantageous to hearing aid outcome and recommend the addition of prefitting counseling to address expectations associated with quality of life and self-image. The data emphasize the need to address unrealistic expectations prior to fitting hearing aids cautiously, so as not to decrease expectations to the extent of discouraging and demotivating the patient. Data also show that positive expectations regarding the impact hearing aids will have on psychosocial well-being are important for successful hearing aid outcome.

Hearing Aid Outcomes: Effects of Gender and Experience on Patients' Use and Satisfaction

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (07) ◽  
pp. 422-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria A. Williams ◽  
Carole E. Johnson ◽  
Jeffrey L. Danhauer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Normative Study ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Specific Questionnaire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experience Effects

Purpose: To use the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) with patients having advanced hearing aid technology to assess their satisfaction and benefit focusing on gender and experience effects, compare to norms, and use the IOI-HA and a practice-specific questionnaire to monitor the quality of the services provided by a dispensing practice. Research Design: A study of 160 potential participants who had worn their newly purchased multichannel digital hearing aids having directional microphones for at least three months, completed a trial period, and should have had time to acclimatize to them. English-speaking, private or insurance paying, competent, adult patients from a private practice were mailed a 12-item practice-specific questionnaire and the seven-item IOI-HA. Results: Of the160 questionnaires mailed, 73 were returned for a 46% return rate. Of those, 64 were useable. Participants included male (34) and female (30), new (30) and previous (34) hearing aid users, who self-selected their participation by returning the questionnaires. The practice-specific questionnaire assessed patients' demographics and the quality of services received. The IOI-HA was analyzed according to an overall score and on two different factor scores. A power analysis revealed that 19 respondents per group were needed for the IOI-HA results to have a statistical power of .80 and probability of a Type II error of .20 for detecting a significant difference at the p < 0.05 level. Similar to earlier studies, no significant differences were observed either for any of the main effects or interactions for gender or user experience for the two IOI-HA factors and overall scores. A significant, but weak, positive correlation (r = .34; df = 63; p < .05) was observed between patients' overall satisfaction as indicated from the IOI-HA and the practice-specific quality assurance satisfaction question. T-tests on IOI-HA items 4 (satisfaction) and 7 (quality of life) revealed that the present participants' responses were significantly higher than for those in the normative study. Conclusions: Gender and hearing aid experience did not influence these patients' responses on the IOI-HA, and all respondents were satisfied with their hearing aids and the practice that dispensed them. No major differences were found between these patients' IOI-HA results and normative data suggesting that both sets of respondents were satisfied with their hearing aids. However, limited statistical comparisons for the satisfaction and quality of life items revealed significant differences in favor of these participants' scores over those in the normative study. This suggested that the advanced hearing aid technology used here had a positive effect on patients' ratings and that the IOI-HA norms should be updated periodically to reflect changes in technology.

The Influence of Explicit and Implicit Memory Processes on the Spoken–Written Language Learning of Children with Cochlear Implants

2020 ◽  
pp. 319-331
Author(s):  
Barbara Arfé ◽  
Ambra Fastelli
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Implicit Memory ◽  
Cochlear Implants ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Memory Processes ◽  
Verbal Language ◽  
Verbal Rehearsal

Recent improvements in cochlear implants (CIs) and hearing aid technology are providing deaf children better access to sounds, yet many children with CIs and digital hearing aids continue to experience significant difficulties in verbal language learning, reading, and writing. It has been shown that explicit and intentional memory processes, like verbal rehearsal or semantic organizational strategies, can explain the language and literacy outcomes of CI and hearing aid users. More recently, however, researchers have suggested also an involvement of implicit memory, and particularly implicit sequence learning (SL), in the language and literacy delay of these children. This chapter reviews and discusses studies bringing evidence of the involvement of inefficient explicit memory processes and implicit SL in the language and literacy development of children with CIs. It is argued that the interaction between explicit and implicit memory processes (verbal rehearsal and implicit SL) can better account for CI users’ problems with language and literacy acquisition.

Hearing aids and tinnitus therapy: a 25-year experience

2008 ◽  
Vol 122 (10) ◽  
pp. 1052-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
M I Trotter ◽  
I Donaldson
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Subjective Tinnitus ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Digital Hearing Aid ◽  
Tinnitus Therapy ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectives:(1) To assess the subjective tinnitus perception of patients with audiologically proven hearing loss presenting to a tinnitus clinic, both before and after hearing aid provision; (2) to investigate subjective tinnitus perception in patients with unilateral and bilateral hearing loss; and (3) to assess the impact on tinnitus perception, if any, of a digital hearing aid programme in patients provided with hearing aids.Design:Prospective data collection for patients attending a tinnitus clinic over a 25-year period (1980–2004).Setting:University teaching hospital otolaryngology department.Participants:A total of 2153 consecutive patients attending a consultant-delivered specialist tinnitus clinic.Main outcomes measures:A visual analogue scale was used to assess the degree of tinnitus perception improvement, if any, comparing before versus after unilateral or bilateral aiding (in those with audiometrically proven hearing loss). A further assessment compared the effect of digital hearing aid programme introduction on symptomatic tinnitus perception in patients provided with unilateral or bilateral aids.Results:A total of 1440 patients were given hearing aids (826 unilateral and 614 bilateral). There was little difference in tinnitus perception, comparing overall aiding results in unilaterally or bilaterally aided patients. Overall, 554 (67 per cent) of unilaterally aided patients and 424 (69 per cent) of bilaterally aided patients reported some improvement in their tinnitus perception following aiding. There was a statistically significant improvement in tinnitus perception, comparing analogue aids with digital hearing aids, following introduction of a digital hearing aid programme in 2000, in both unilaterally (p < 0.001) and bilaterally (p < 0.001) aided patients.Conclusions:Provision of hearing aids in patients with audiometrically demonstrable hearing loss can play a very important part in tinnitus control. The additional improvement in tinnitus control observed following introduction of programmable digital aids had a summative effect in the management of these patients.

scholarly journals A Survey on Application Specific Processor Architectures for Digital Hearing Aids

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Gerlach ◽  
Guillermo Payá-Vayá ◽  
Holger Blume
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Silicon Area ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
The One ◽  
Common Application ◽  
Instruction Set Processors ◽  
Application Specific

AbstractOn the one hand, processors for hearing aids are highly specialized for audio processing, on the other hand they have to meet challenging hardware restrictions. This paper aims to provide an overview of the requirements, architectures, and implementations of these processors. Special attention is given to the increasingly common application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs). The main focus of this paper lies on hardware-related aspects such as the processor architecture, the interfaces, the application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology, and the operating conditions. The different hearing aid implementations are compared in terms of power consumption, silicon area, and computing performance for the algorithms used. Challenges for the design of future hearing aid processors are discussed based on current trends and developments.

Bilateral Digital Hearing Aids for Binaural Hearing

1994 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry P. Kimberley ◽  
Rob Dymond ◽  
Abram Gamer
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Digital Signal ◽  
Binaural Hearing ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Speech Understanding In Noise ◽  
Psychophysical Testing ◽  
Localization Performance ◽  
Localization Ability

The rehabilitation of binaural hearing performance in hearing impaired listeners has received relatively little attention to date. Both localization ability and speech-understanding-in noise are affected in the impaired listener. When localization performance is tested in impaired ears with conventional hearing aid fittings it is found to be worse than the unaided condition. Advances in electronic design now permit speculation about the implementation of complex digital filters within the confines of an in-the-ear hearing aid. We have begun exploring strategies to enhance the localization performance of impaired listeners with bilateral digital signal processing. We are examining three strategies in bilateral hearing aid design to improve localization performance in hearing impaired listeners, namely 1) more accurate fitting of individual ear losses, 2) equalization of the effect of the hearing aid itself on the acoustics within the ear canal, and 3) binaural fitting strategies which in effect modify individual ear fittings to enhance localization performance. The results of early psychophysical testing suggests that localization performance can be improved with these strategies.

Hearing Aid Fitting Outcome: Clinical Application and Psychometric Properties of a Swedish Translation of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA)

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (08) ◽  
pp. 512-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Jonas Brännström ◽  
Ingegerd Wennerström
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Binaural Hearing ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Conductive Hearing

Background: The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) is a seven-item hearing-specific questionnaire. It was developed with the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of hearing aid rehabilitation. Few psychometric properties have been presented for a Swedish translation of the IOI-HA. Furthermore, previous studies have examined the IOI-HA in mainly sensorineural hearing losses, and we do not know how the type of hearing loss affects the outcome. Purpose: To evaluate the hearing aid fitting outcome measured in a clinical setting using a Swedish translation of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), to determine the psychometric properties of the translation, and to examine how a number of demographic variables such as type of hearing loss affect the outcome. Research Design: A descriptive and correlational study in a retrospective sample. Study Sample: Two hundred and twenty-four (107 females and 117 males; ages 27–94 yr with an average of 66.1 yr) first-time hearing aid users. Intervention: Mostly digital hearing aids (97.8%) were fitted monaurally (60%) or binaurally (40%) between 2007 and 2009. Data Collection and Analysis: The subjects were mailed the IOI-HA questionnaire six months after their final appointment, and the completed questionnaire was returned by mail to the clinic. The psychometric properties were evaluated and compared to previous studies using the IOI-HA. The associations between the outcome scores and a number of demographic variables (age, gender, degree of hearing loss, type of hearing loss, number of hearing aids, and type of hearing aids) were examined. Based on the pure tone audiograms, the subjects were divided into three groups; those with conductive hearing losses, sensorineural hearing losses, and mixed hearing losses. For these groups, the differences in outcome measured as IOI-HA were examined. Results: The psychometric properties of the present translation of the IOI-HA showed resemblance in many aspects to previous reports. Furthermore, the type of hearing loss seems to affect the IOI-HA outcome. Hearing loss increases with increasing age, and hearing aid use increases with increasing degree of hearing loss. Subjects with sensorineural hearing losses show significantly poorer scores on items concerning introspective aspects of the outcome in comparison to subjects with mixed hearing losses and subjects with conductive hearing losses. Monaurally fitted subjects tend to report lower scores on average, but monaural or binaural hearing aid fitting do not significantly affect the subjective outcome. Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the present Swedish translation of the IOI-HA show resemblance in many aspects to previous reports, but the differences observed could be due to differences in the study populations. Overall, the demographic variables examined could not be used as predictors for the hearing aid fitting outcome, and more reliable predictors need to be identified.

scholarly journals The Future of ORL-HNS and Associated Specialties Series: The future of audiological rehabilitation

2000 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Baguley ◽  
Linda Luxon
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Clinical Interventions ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
The Future ◽  
Multidisciplinary Working

The field of audiological rehabilitation in adults faces an array of opportunities. Some of these are technological, as with the advent of fully digital hearing-aids, and some involve clinical practice, such as opportunities for true multidisciplinary working, and for changes in hearing-aid prescription and provision. The development of well-validated questionnaire instruments should facilitate robust research into the effectiveness of clinical interventions in adult audiological rehabilitation, for such evidence is urgently needed if the field is to thrive.

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