scholarly journals Development of Sound Field Audiometry System for Small Audiometric Booths and Comparison of Its Equivalence With Traditional System

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-35
Author(s):  
Eun Kyung Jung ◽  
Young Mi Choi ◽  
Eun Jung Kim ◽  
Sungsu Lee ◽  
Hyong-Ho Cho
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Impaired Hearing ◽  
Hearing Results ◽  
Traditional System ◽  
Speech Reception ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
Head Height

Objectives. Sound field (SF) audiometry tests are usually conducted in audiometric booths measuring greater than 2×2 m in size. However, most private ENT clinics carry about 1×1-m-sized audiometric booths, making SF audiometry testing difficult to perform. The aims of this study were to develop an SF audiometry system for use in smaller audiometric booths and compare its performance with traditional system.Methods. The newly developed SF audiometry system can yield an SF signal at a distance of about 30 cm from the subject’s ears. Its height can be adjusted according to the subject’s head height. We compared SF hearing results between the new SF system and the traditional SF audiometry system in 20 adults with normal hearing (40 ears) and 24 adults with impaired hearing levels (38 ears) who wore hearing aids. Comparative parameters included warble tone audiometry threshold, a speech reception threshold (SRT), and a speech discrimination score (SDS). For statistical analysis, paired t-test was used. The equivalence of both SF systems was tested using two one-sided test (TOST) with a margin of 5 dB (normal hearing participants) and 10 dB (hearing aids wearing participants).Results. Among participants with normal hearing, warble tone hearing thresholds of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz, average values of these four frequencies, and SRT were similar between the two systems (all <i>P</i>>0.05). Participants with hearing aids showed similar warble tone threshold and SRT (<i>P</i>>0.05) in both systems except for threshold of 4 kHz (<i>P</i>=0.033). SDS was significantly higher in the newly developed system (<i>P</i><0.05). TOST results showed equivalent SF audiometry results using either system.Conclusion. Audiometric results of the newly developed SF audiometry system were equivalent to those of a traditional system. Therefore, the small SF audiometry system can be used at small audiometric booths present in most private ENT clinics.

scholarly journals The use of speech sentence audiometry in a free sound field

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-39
Author(s):  
Mariya Yu. Boboshko ◽  
Irina P. Berdnikova ◽  
Natalya V. Maltzeva
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Normative Data ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hearing Aid Benefit

Objectives -to determine the normative data of sentence speech intelligibility in a free sound field and to estimate the applicability of the Russian Matrix Sentence test (RuMatrix) for assessment of the hearing aid fitting benefit. Material and methods. 10 people with normal hearing and 28 users of hearing aids with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss were involved in the study. RuMatrix test both in quiet and in noise was performed in a free sound field. All patients filled in the COSI questionnaire. Results. The hearing impaired patients were divided into two subgroups: the 1st with high and the 2nd with low hearing aid benefit, according to the COSI questionnaire. In the 1st subgroup, the threshold for the sentence intelligibility in quiet was 34.9 ± 6.4 dB SPL, and in noise -3.3 ± 1.4 dB SNR, in the 2nd subgroup 41.7 ± 11.5 dB SPL and 0.15 ± 3.45 dB SNR, respectively. The significant difference between the data of both subgroups and the norm was registered (p

scholarly journals The effects of N95 mask and face shield on speech perception among healthcare workers in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic scenario

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (10) ◽  
pp. 895-898
Author(s):  
S V Bandaru ◽  
A M Augustine ◽  
A Lepcha ◽  
S Sebastian ◽  
M Gowri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Discrimination Score ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Speech Discrimination Score ◽  
Speech Reception

AbstractObjectiveThe current circumstances of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic necessitate the use of personal protective equipment in hospitals. N95 masks and face shields are being used as personal protective equipment to protect from aerosol-related spread of infection. Personal protective equipment, however, hampers communication. This study aimed to assess the effect of using an N95 mask and face shield on speech perception among healthcare workers with normal hearing.MethodsTwenty healthcare workers were recruited for the study. Pure tone audiometry was conducted to ensure normal hearing. Speech reception threshold and speech discrimination score were obtained, first without using personal protective equipment and then repeated with the audiologist wearing an N95 mask and face shield.ResultsA statistically significant increase in speech reception threshold (mean of 12.4 dB) and decrease in speech discrimination score (mean of 7 per cent) was found while using the personal protective equipment.ConclusionUse of personal protective equipment significantly impairs speech perception. Alternate communication strategies should be developed for effective communication.

Peaks in the Frequency Response of Hearing Aids: Evaluation of the Effects on Speech Intelligibility and Sound Quality

1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald A. van Buuren ◽  
Joost M. Festen ◽  
Tammo Houtgast
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Response ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Reference Frequency ◽  
Impaired Hearing ◽  
Speech Spectrum ◽  
Series Of Experiments

In a series of experiments, we introduced peaks of 10, 20, and 30 dB, in various combinations, onto a smooth reference frequency response. For each of the conditions, we evaluated speech intelligibility in noise, using a test as developed by Plomp and Mimpen (1979), and sound quality (for both speech and music), using a rating-scale procedure. We performed the experiments with 26 listeners with sensorineurally impaired hearing and 10 listeners with normal hearing. Signal processing was accomplished digitally; for each listener, the stimuli were filtered and subsequently amplified so that the average speech spectrum was well above the threshold of hearing at all frequencies. The results show that, as a result of the introduction of peaks onto the frequency response, speech intelligibility is affected more for the listeners with impaired hearing than for those with normal hearing. Sound-quality judgments tend to be less different between the listener groups. Conditions with 30-dB peaks especially show serious effects on both speech intelligibility and sound quality.

A Comparison of the Auditec of St. Louis Cassette Recordings of NU-6 and CID W-22 on a Normal-Hearing Population

1977 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall C. Beattie ◽  
Brad J. Edgerton ◽  
Dion V. Svihovec
Keyword(s):  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Discrimination Score ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Speech Discrimination Tests ◽  
Speech Discrimination Score ◽  
Speech Reception ◽  
Speech Reception Thresholds ◽  
Better Than

Articulation functions were generated on a normal-hearing population with the Auditec of St. Louis cassette recordings of the NU-6 and CID W-22 speech discrimination tests. Both tests were similar and yielded slopes of about 4.4%/dB. Each gave a speech discrimination score of approximately 95% at 32 dB SL. Speech reception thresholds were obtained with monitored live voice and yielded good testretest consistency. Speech thresholds were about 9 dB better than the ANSI (1969) specifications.

Prediction of IOI-HA Scores Using Speech Reception Thresholds and Speech Discrimination Scores in Quiet

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (02) ◽  
pp. 154-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Jonas Brännström ◽  
Johannes Lantz ◽  
Lars Holme Nielsen ◽  
Steen Østergaard Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Global Score ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Speech Reception ◽  
Speech Reception Thresholds ◽  
First Time

Background: Outcome measures can be used to improve the quality of the rehabilitation by identifying and understanding which variables influence the outcome. This information can be used to improve outcomes for clients. In clinical practice, pure-tone audiometry, speech reception thresholds (SRTs), and speech discrimination scores (SDSs) in quiet or in noise are common assessments made prior to hearing aid (HA) fittings. It is not known whether SRT and SDS in quiet relate to HA outcome measured with the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA). Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between pure-tone average (PTA), SRT, and SDS in quiet and IOI-HA in both first-time and experienced HA users. Research Design: SRT and SDS were measured in a sample of HA users who also responded to the IOI-HA. Study Sample: Fifty-eight Danish-speaking adult HA users. Data Collection and Analysis: The psychometric properties were evaluated and compared to previous studies using the IOI-HA. The associations and differences between the outcome scores and a number of descriptive variables (age, gender, fitted monaurally/binaurally with HA, first-time/experienced HA users, years of HA use, time since last HA fitting, best ear PTA, best ear SRT, or best ear SDS) were examined. A multiple forward stepwise regression analysis was conducted using scores on the separate IOI-HA items, the global score, and scores on the introspection and interaction subscales as dependent variables to examine whether the descriptive variables could predict these outcome measures. Results: Scores on single IOI-HA items, the global score, and scores on the introspection (items 1, 2, 4, and 7) and interaction (items 3, 5, and 6) subscales closely resemble those previously reported. Multiple regression analysis showed that the best ear SDS predicts about 18–19% of the outcome on items 3 and 5 separately, and about 16% on the interaction subscale (sum of items 3, 5, and 6) Conclusions: The best ears SDS explains some of the variance displayed in the IOI-HA global score and the interaction subscale. The relation between SDS and IOI-HA suggests that a poor unaided SDS might in itself be a limiting factor for the HA rehabilitation efficacy and hence the IOI-HA outcome. The clinician could use this information to align the user’s HA expectations to what is within possible reach.

Connected Speech Intelligibility of Children With Cochlear Implants and Children With Normal Hearing

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven B. Chin ◽  
Patrick L. Tsai ◽  
Sujuan Gao
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implants ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Connected Speech ◽  
Hearing Results ◽  
Educational Environments ◽  
Auditory Experience ◽  
Similar Peak

The objective of this study was to compare the connected speech intelligibility of children who use cochlear implants with that of children who have normal hearing. Previous research has shown that speech intelligibility improves from before cochlear implantation to after implantation and that the speech intelligibility of children who use cochlear implants compares favorably with that of children who use conventional hearing aids. However, no research has yet addressed the question of how the speech intelligibility of children who use cochlear implants compares to that of children with normal hearing. In the current study, archival data on connected speech intelligibility from 51 children with cochlear implants were compared with newly collected data from 47 children with normal hearing. Results showed that for children with cochlear implants, greater intelligibility was associated with both increased chronological age and increased duration of cochlear implant use. Consistent with previous studies, children with normal hearing achieved adult-like or near-adult-like intelligibility around the age of 4 years, but a similar peak in intelligibility was not observed for the children who used cochlear implants. On the whole, children with cochlear implants were significantly less intelligible than children with normal hearing, when controlling both for chronological age and for length of auditory experience. These results have implications for the socialization and education of children with cochlear implants, particularly with respect to on-time placement in mainstream educational environments with age peers.

scholarly journals Development of ukrainian speech discrimination tests for children (phase of formation of tables with words)

2020 ◽  
pp. 50-54
Author(s):  
Dmitry I. Zabolotny ◽  
Viktor I. Lutsenko ◽  
Irina A. Belyakova ◽  
Yeugenia I. Svitlychna ◽  
Alla A. Berestova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Speech Audiometry ◽  
Central Auditory Processing ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Impaired Hearing ◽  
Discrimination Test ◽  
Speech Discrimination Tests ◽  
Speech Discrimination Test

Topicality: The speech audiometry is an essential diagnostic method which allows to fully assess the effectiveness of the cochlear implantation and hearing aids, to identify the central auditory processing disorders among the patients. Ukrainian audiologists have all necessary tools to perform classical speech audiometry and determine speech discrimination in the difficult acoustic conditions in adults. But it should be said that Ukrainian speech tests for children haven’t been developed yet. Aim: to develop and implement the Ukrainian speech discrimination tests for children. To solve the problem of speech audiometry in Ukraine it was decided to develop several speech discrimination tests for children of different ages and needs. At the first stage the authors have formed the groups with Ukrainian words for speech audiometry in children (starting from preschool age) and made a studio recording of the test that should be tested and validated futher. The formed word groups meet with all the requirements for phonetically balanced speech discrimination tests taking into consideration the peculiarities of children’s audiometry. The following principles were adhered in each group: the presence of all Ukrainian vowel phonemes in the stressed syllable and consonants with different frequency; the presence of words with different numbers of syllables; taking into consideration the rhythmic structure of the word (stress place); keeping a constant ratio of vowels and consonants. The article presents the primary (not yet valid) version of the Ukrainian speech discrimination test for children’s audiometry. Studio recording of this test will be tested in children with normal and impaired hearing as well as in users of hearing aids and cochlear implants. Conclusions: For the first time in Ukraine the tables with words have been formed in the native language for the audiometry in children (starting from the preschool age). The studio recording of the speech discrimination test was done with the female voice. Hence the next phase of development of the Ukrainian speech tests for children is planned the sence of which will be to approbate and validate.

Quality Ratings for Frequency-Shaped Peak-Clipped Speech

1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1115-1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Kozma-Spytek ◽  
James M. Kates ◽  
Sally G. Revoile
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Response ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Speech Processing ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Speech Quality ◽  
Impaired Hearing ◽  
Quality Ratings ◽  
Noise Input ◽  
Distortion Index

Peak clipping is a common form of distortion in hearing aids and can reduce the subjective quality of the amplified speech. In a previous study involving listeners with normal hearing Kates & Kozma-Spytek, 1994), the effect of peak clipping on speech quality ratings was studied using sentence test materials that were filtered using three different frequency response contours and then clipped at four different clipping levels. The present study extends the quality ratings to include those from a group of listeners having moderate to profound hearing impairments. The experimental results indicate that the clipping level, and the interaction of the frequency-response shaping with the clipping level, significantly affects speech quality. It is also shown that the distortion effects on speech quality for the listeners with impaired hearing can be modeled by a distortion index computed from the magnitude-squared coherence of the speech-processing system in response to a shaped-noise input signal. The distortion-index weights derived for the group of listeners with impaired hearing, however, differ substantially from those derived for listeners with normal hearing, and substantial inter-listener variation was also observed.

scholarly journals Speech-evoked cortical auditory responses in children with normal hearing

2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aseel Almeqbel
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Auditory Evoked Potentials ◽  
Speech Sound ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Response Patterns ◽  
Speech Sounds ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Cortical Level ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective: Cortical auditory-evoked potentials (CAEPs), an objective measure of human speech encoding in individuals with normal or impaired auditory systems, can be used to assess the outcomes of hearing aids and cochlear implants in infants, or in young children who cannot co-operate for behavioural speech discrimination testing. The current study aimed to determine whether naturally produced speech stimuli /m/, /g/ and /t/ evoke distinct CAEP response patterns that can be reliably recorded and differentiated, based on their spectral information and whether the CAEP could be an electrophysiological measure to differentiate between these speech sounds.Method: CAEPs were recorded from 18 school-aged children with normal hearing, tested in two groups: younger (5 - 7 years) and older children (8 - 12 years). Cortical responses differed in their P1 and N2 latencies and amplitudes in response to /m/, /g/ and /t/ sounds (from low-, mid- and high-frequency regions, respectively). The largest amplitude of the P1 and N2 component was for /g/ and the smallest was for /t/. The P1 latency in both age groups did not show any significant difference between these speech sounds. The N2 latency showed a significant change in the younger group but not in the older group. The N2 latency of the speech sound /g/ was always noted earlier in both groups.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that spectrally different speech sounds are encoded differentially at the cortical level, and evoke distinct CAEP response patterns. CAEP latencies and amplitudes may provide an objective indication that spectrally different speech sounds are encoded differently at the cortical level.

Evaluation of Modified Rhyme Test Results from Impaired- and Normal-Hearing Listeners

1971 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 589-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Earleen F. Elkins
Keyword(s):  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Impaired Hearing ◽  
Discrimination Ability ◽  
Normal Limits ◽  
Difficult Condition ◽  
Male Speaker ◽  
Speech Reception Thresholds ◽  
Modified Rhyme Test

Four lists of the Modified Rhyme Test (MRT) were administered to 9 normal-hearing and 50 impaired-hearing subjects. The stimuli were spoken by a male speaker with test conditions designed to yield 96, 83, 75, and 96% correct responses by normal listeners. Normal subjects performed within the expected normal limits. Impaired-hearing subjects had significantly lower scores and did not show the proportional decrease for the most difficult condition. The performance of subjects grouped by degree of hearing loss showed that increasing noise did not affect MRT scores differentially, nor did MRT scores decrease significantly with increasing speech reception thresholds (SRTs). When a slight amount of noise accompanied the MRT, a significant relationship was shown with clinically obtained W-22 scores. Correlational analysis among five measures of speech-discrimination ability and six measures of threshold sensitivity supported other studies with regard to the frequency region important for the perception of monosyllabic stimuli at suprathreshold levels.

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