scholarly journals Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices and Other Technologies on Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7259
Author(s):  
Estíbaliz Jiménez-Arberas ◽  
Emiliano Díez
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Assistive Devices ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Relevant Variable

Deaf and hard of hearing people use a variety of assistive devices and technologies as a strategy to mitigate, counter or compensate for life difficulties resulting from hearing loss. Although outcome measures are commonly used with hearing aids, few studies have explored the perceived psychosocial impact of other assistive devices and technologies or the factors leading to their abandonment or lack of use. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to assess the psychosocial impact of different assistive devices on deaf and hard of hearing people using the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale. The sample was made up of 291 individuals, 176 women and 115 men, with an average age of 56.12 years (standard deviation (SD) = 25.11), who were all users of different assistive devices. Overall, the results of the study showed that the use of assistive devices had a positive psychosocial impact, although this impact varied slightly depending on the specific type of device. Moreover, a relationship was identified between the psychosocial impact and the probability of future abandonment of a hearing aid or a cochlear implant. The results point to the importance of considering the psychosocial impact derived from the use of a device as a relevant variable in the adoption process of assistive technologies for deaf and hard of hearing people.

scholarly journals Speech Sound Production in 2-Year-Olds Who Are Hard of Hearing

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie E. Ambrose ◽  
Lauren M. Unflat Berry ◽  
Elizabeth A. Walker ◽  
Melody Harrison ◽  
Jacob Oleson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Speech Sound ◽  
Linguistic Variables ◽  
Vowel Production ◽  
Severe Hearing Loss ◽  
Children's Speech

Purpose The purpose of the study was to (a) compare the speech sound production abilities of 2-year-old children who are hard of hearing (HH) to children with normal hearing (NH), (b) identify sources of risk for individual children who are HH, and (c) determine whether speech sound production skills at age 2 were predictive of speech sound production skills at age 3. Method Seventy children with bilateral, mild-to-severe hearing loss who use hearing aids and 37 age- and socioeconomic status–matched children with NH participated. Children's speech sound production abilities were assessed at 2 and 3 years of age. Results At age 2, the HH group demonstrated vowel production abilities on par with their NH peers but weaker consonant production abilities. Within the HH group, better outcomes were associated with hearing aid fittings by 6 months of age, hearing loss of less than 45 dB HL, stronger vocabulary scores, and being female. Positive relationships existed between children's speech sound production abilities at 2 and 3 years of age. Conclusion Assessment of early speech sound production abilities in combination with demographic, audiologic, and linguistic variables may be useful in identifying HH children who are at risk for delays in speech sound production.

scholarly journals Music Participation Among School-Aged Children Who Are Hard of Hearing

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 908-926
Author(s):  
Erik J. Jorgensen ◽  
Elizabeth A. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Parent Participation ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Music Participation ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Live Music ◽  
5Th Grade

Purpose Music is an important part of life for many people. Furthermore, music training has been shown to improve a variety of cognitive functions among children and adults. However, little research exists on how children who are hard of hearing (HH) perceive or participate in music. In particular, it is unknown whether hearing loss limits participation in music activities among school-aged children with mild-to-severe hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to determine whether hearing loss limits participation among children who are HH compared to children with normal hearing (NH). Method Participants were parents of 2 cohorts of children finishing 5th grade (approximately 11 years old). Parents were asked to complete a survey (online or paper) regarding the role of music in their child's life. A total of 88 surveys were completed (67 from parents of children who are HH and 21 from parents of children with NH, with an overall response rate of 74%). Results Hearing loss did not limit music participation among children. Children who are HH listened to recorded music, attended live concerts, and practiced an instrument at the same rates as children with NH. Listening to recorded and live music, practicing an instrument, and playing in an ensemble were equally as important to children who are HH as children with NH. Children who are HH were significantly more likely to regularly play in an ensemble than children with NH. Parent participation in music significantly influenced music participation for children who are HH but not children with NH. Descriptive data about music genres, instruments, and ensembles are also presented. Conclusions Children who are HH participate in music at the same or greater rates as children with NH. Parent participation in music may be particularly important for children who are HH. In light of this, music listening should be a consideration when fitting children with hearing aids.

scholarly journals Η αντιληπτική λειτουργία παιδιών 8-13 ετών με προγλωσσική απώλεια ακοής

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
Χρήστος Γεωργοκωστόπουλος ◽  
Μαρία Τζουριάδου
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Sign Language ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Oral Communication ◽  
Main Method ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Language Communication ◽  
Hearing Children ◽  
Perceptual Function

In this study, we investigated the perceptual function of deaf/hard of hearing children. The sample of the study consisted of 58 pupils aged 8-13 years old (3rd-6th graders) with severe (60-90 db) or profound (90 db and above) neurosensory hearing loss – pre-lingual with or without cochlear implants. Children with co-morbidity (intellectual disabilities, syndromes, autism, motor disorders, etc.) and children with post-lingual deafness/hearing impairment were excluded. In order to investigate their perceptual function, the Perceptual Functionality Criterion was used. The results of the study show that deaf/hard of hearing participants exhibit a “sporadic” profile regarding the general perceptual functionality. In particular, the participants were found to perform similarly in terms of visual-perceptive skills, while there was one exception, i.e. their visual-motor skills were worse. Higher scores have been shown in the domain of kinesthetic and tactile perception and lower ones regarding vestigial perception, especially in terms of the sense of balance. In addition, the perceptual function was investigated among the cochlear implant participants and those with conventional hearing aids. The results showed no significant differences between the two groups regarding the perceptual function, although the visual perception was found to be significantly better among the users of conventional hearing aids relative to cochlear implant users. Finally, the perceptual function was investigated in terms of the main method of language/communication used. The data indicated that participants, regardless of whether they use sign language, total/bilingual or oral communication, performed roughly similarly on the test variables. Among the different types of main method of language/communication, statistically significant differences were absent, though regarding the visual and kinesthetic perception sign language users outperformed the users of oral communication.

Hearing-Aid Performance and Hearing-Aid Selection

1966 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Jerger ◽  
Charles Speaks ◽  
Carolyn Malmquist
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Rank Ordering ◽  
Intelligibility Test ◽  
Sentence Intelligibility

A sentence intelligibility test was used to evaluate listener performance with three hearing aids differing substantially in physical characteristics. Thirty six hard-of-hearing listeners, representing various types and degrees of hearing loss, were tested. Results showed that, although the sentence intelligibility test reflected meaningful average differences among the aids, the rank ordering of aids was essentially equivalent for all listeners.

This Journey of Mine

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-55
Author(s):  
Cathy Kooser
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Progressive Hearing Loss

For most of my life, I have lived with a progressive hearing loss that has recently resulted in my receiving a cochlear implant (CI). I have decided to share this story because patients' stories/narratives are a valuable way to increase clinicians' awareness of patients' needs and perspectives. This article speaks to my journey living with hearing loss and focuses on my personal reactions to the diagnosis of progressive hearing loss, the recommendation to wear hearing aids, and, finally, the realization that I was a cochlear implant candidate. Comments and suggestions are offered as to how professionals can best assist patients who may be traveling similar paths.

Digital Hearing Aids Using Automated Varying Bandwidth Finite Impulse Response Filter Banks

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2005-2009
Author(s):  
Hu Jun ◽  
Zeng Jian ◽  
Yi Hong ◽  
R. Jayabharathy ◽  
V. Gomathi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Auditory System ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Filter Bank ◽  
Filter Banks ◽  
Finite Impulse Response ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Variable Bandwidth

A human auditory system is a highly complex sensitive system which transfers the acoustic sound into neuroelectrical signals toward the brain. Hearing difficulties or deafness are the outcomes of the problems occurred at any part of the auditory system. Assistive technologies such as hearing aids are developed to improve the quality of life of the hearing impaired people. Current digital hearing aids have fixed bandwidth filter banks which cannot provide enough flexibility to match with audiogram of different hearing loss. Recently, variable bandwidth filter banks have been introduced with different technologies to match more closely with the audiogram of a particular hearing loss. This research work proposes and implements a software controlled variable bandwidth FIR filter bank using Matlab GUI. In the Matlab GUI, in the filter bank, the bandwidth of every filter is adjusted dynamically in the Matlab GUI such that it fits more closely to the audiogram of a particular hearing loss. An experiment has been conducted in the developed Matlab GUI with various hearing loss, and the results show that the proposed system matches the filter bank magnitude response very closely to the audiogram of a particular hearing loss and reduces the matching error.

Hearing Specific and Generic Measures of the Psychosocial Impact of Hearing Aids

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (03) ◽  
pp. 238-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle H. Saunders ◽  
Jeffrey W. Jutai
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Relative Sensitivity ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Assistive Devices ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
One Year ◽  
Generic Measures ◽  
Hearing Aid Benefit ◽  
The Relationship

Hearing-specific and generic measures of hearing aid outcome were examined in order (a) to determine their relative sensitivity to hearing aid use and (b) to examine the relationship between pre–hearing aid use expectations and post-use outcomes. Ninety-two hearing-impaired individuals completed some combination of the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit, Expected Consequences of Hearing Aid Ownership (ECHO), Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL), and Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale, and provided reports of their daily and lifetime hearing aid use. In general, (a) the longer individuals wear hearing aids, the more positive the reported outcome, and (b) ECHO scores of non–hearing aid users are higher than SADL scores of new hearing aid users (six weeks to one year of use) but are similar to those obtained from experienced users (greater than one year of use). Between-questionnaire comparisons showed the generic measure to be as sensitive as the hearing aid specific measures. We suggest that generic measures have some advantages over hearing specific measures but that each has a place in the clinic.

Pediatric Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Minimum Test Battery and Referral Criteria for Cochlear Implant Candidacy Evaluation

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982110273
Author(s):  
Samantha Anne ◽  
Kevin D. Brown ◽  
Donald M. Goldberg ◽  
Oliver F. Adunka ◽  
Margaret Kenna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Language Development ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Speech And Language ◽  
Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech And Language Development

Among the various cochlear implant systems approved by the Food and Drug Administration, current labeling for pediatric usage encompasses (1) bilateral profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in children aged 9 to 24 months and bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in children older than 2 years; (2) use of appropriately fitted hearing aids for 3 months (this can be waived if there is evidence of ossification); and (3) demonstration of limited progress with auditory, speech, and language development. Pediatric guidelines require children to have significantly worse speech understanding before qualifying for cochlear implantation. The early years of life have been shown to be critical for speech and language development, and auditory deprivation is especially detrimental during this crucial time. Level of evidence: 2.

scholarly journals The Function of Cochlear Implant After Cardioversion in a Patient With Atrial Flutter: A Case Report

2021 ◽  
pp. 014556132110019
Author(s):  
Hong Chan Kim ◽  
Chung Man Sung ◽  
Hyung Chae Yang ◽  
Hyong-Ho Cho
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Older People ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Heart Rhythm ◽  
Electrical Shock ◽  
Implant Surgery ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cochlear Implant Surgery ◽  
Before And After

Hearing loss in older people can cause communication impairments, decreased quality of life, social isolation, depression, and dementia. Cochlear implant surgery is an effective treatment for older patients with hearing loss who cannot achieve satisfactory audiologic outcomes with hearing aids. However, older people have an increased risk of heart disease and often take medications that affect heart rhythm. Herein, we report a case of an 80-year-old woman who underwent cardioversion at 50J after cochlear implant surgery. Electrical impedance before and after cardioversion showed only minor changes without abnormality, and the cochlear implant functioned well. We believe that the electronic circuits of the cochlear implant may have been relatively tolerant to the electrical shock from the external defibrillator. Typically, cardioversion should be avoided in cochlear implant recipients because it may damage the implant. If cardioversion cannot be avoided, we strongly recommend starting cardioversion at the lowest energy level (50 J) and removing the sound processor of the implant during the procedure.

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