Amplification for Listeners with a Moderately Severe High-Frequency Hearing Loss

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (06) ◽  
pp. 562-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Chuen Lau ◽  
Francis Kuk ◽  
Denise Keenan ◽  
Jennifer Schumacher
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Moderate Degree ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Severe Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Limited Bandwidth ◽  
Repeated Measures Design

Background: Some evidence exists to support the use of an extended bandwidth (EBW) for those with a relatively mild to moderate degree of hearing loss. The use of frequency lowering is suggested for those with a severe/profound degree of hearing loss. The amplification option for those with a moderately severe hearing loss in the high frequencies is less clear. This study compared three amplification options for listeners with a moderately severe hearing loss in the high frequencies. Purpose: The efficacy of three amplification options—limited bandwidth to 4000 Hz, EBW, and frequency transposition—were evaluated for listeners with a moderately severe, high-frequency hearing loss. Research Design: The experiment used a factorial repeated-measures design. Study Sample: A total of 13 adults with bilateral hearing loss of 50–70 dB HL at 4000 Hz served as test participants. Data Collection and Analysis: The participants rated the sound quality of birdsongs and music when aided with the amplification options. Speech perception in quiet was measured at 50 dB SPL and 68 dB SPL input levels. The participants also completed a questionnaire on the best amplification option to use in different real-life environments during a 2 wk, take-home trial. The data were analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: The findings showed that more listeners preferred the EBW for home use but that the frequency transposition was the least preferred. In addition, the performance of the EBW was better than that of the limited bandwidth in speech recognition but similar to that of the frequency transposition. Conclusions: The results supported the fitting of an EBW as the better choice for this group of listeners.

Hearing Loss and Age-Induced Changes in the Central Auditory System Measured by the P3 Response to Small Changes in Frequency

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (05) ◽  
pp. 373-384
Author(s):  
Kathy R. Vander Werff ◽  
Kerrie L. Nesbitt
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Cortical Plasticity ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Oddball Paradigm ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Potential System ◽  
Frequency Changes

Background: Recent behavioral studies have suggested that individuals with sloping audiograms exhibit localized improvements in frequency discrimination in the frequency region near the drop in hearing. Auditory-evoked potentials may provide evidence of such cortical plasticity and reorganization of frequency maps. Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate electrophysiological evidence of cortical plasticity related to cortical frequency representation and discrimination abilities in older individuals with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). It was hypothesized that the P3 response in this group would show evidence of physiological reorganization of frequency maps and enhanced neural representation at the edge of their high-frequency loss due to their restricted SNHL. Research Design: The P3 auditory event-related potential in response to small frequency changes was recorded in a repeated measures design using an oddball paradigm that presented upward and downward frequency changes of 2%, 5%, and 20% to three groups of listeners. Study Sample: P3 recordings from a group of seven older individuals with a restricted sloping hearing loss >1000 or 2000 Hz was compared to two control groups of younger (n = 7) and older (n = 7) individuals with normal hearing/borderline normal hearing through 4000 Hz. Data Collection and Analysis: The auditory P3 was recorded using an oddball paradigm (80%/20%) with the standard tone at the highest frequency of normal hearing in the hearing-impaired participants, also known as the edge frequency (EF). EFs were either 1000 or 2000 Hz for all participants. The target tones represented upward and downward frequency changes of 2%, 5%, and 20% from the standard tones of either 1000 or 2000 Hz. Waveforms were recorded using a two-channel clinical-evoked potential system. Latency and amplitude of the P300 peak were analyzed across groups for the three frequency conditions using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The results of this study suggest that the P3 response can be elicited by frequency changes as small as 2–5%. P3 responses at the EF of hearing loss were present and larger in amplitude for more participants with a sloping hearing loss compared to age-matched normal-hearing peers tested at the same frequencies. As a result, the older participants with sloping hearing losses had P3 responses more similar to the younger normal-hearing participants than their age-matched peers with normal hearing. Conclusions: These preliminary results partially support the idea of enhanced cortical representation of frequency at the EF of localized SNHL in older adults that is not purely due to age.

The Sensitivity of Adolescent School-Based Hearing Screens Is Significantly Improved by Adding High Frequencies

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 416-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepa L. Sekhar ◽  
Thomas R. Zalewski ◽  
Jessica S. Beiler ◽  
Beth Czarnecki ◽  
Ashley L. Barr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
State School ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
School Based ◽  
Hazardous Noise ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

High frequency hearing loss (HFHL), often related to hazardous noise, affects one in six U.S. adolescents. Yet, only 20 states include school-based hearing screens for adolescents. Only six states test multiple high frequencies. Study objectives were to (1) compare the sensitivity of state school-based hearing screens for adolescents to gold standard sound-treated booth testing and (2) consider the effect of adding multiple high frequencies and two-step screening on sensitivity/specificity. Of 134 eleventh-grade participants (2013–2014), 43 of the 134 (32%) did not pass sound-treated booth testing, and 27 of the 43 (63%) had HFHL. Sensitivity/specificity of the most common protocol (1,000, 2,000, 4,000 Hz at 20 dB HL) for these hearing losses was 25.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = [13.5, 41.2]) and 85.7% (95% CI [76.8, 92.2]), respectively. A protocol including 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, 6,000 Hz at 20 dB HL significantly improved sensitivity to 76.7% (95% CI [61.4, 88.2]), p < .001. Two-step screening maintained specificity (84.6%, 95% CI [75.5, 91.3]). Adolescent school-based hearing screen sensitivity improves with high frequencies.

scholarly journals Absence of Relationship between Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroups and Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Graterol ◽  
C. Mir ◽  
C. Garcia-Vaquero ◽  
I. Braña ◽  
A. N. Pardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Treatment ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
Determining Factor

Background. Many drugs used for cancer chemotherapy produce reactive oxygen species, thus leading to various complications including nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and ototoxicity. Objective. We have provided a haplogroup analysis of a cohort of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and compared factors associated with associated hearing loss. Study Design and Methods. This observational cohort study includes a pure-tone audiometry of the patients who underwent chemotherapeutic treatment. Medical history, presence of risk factors for hearing loss, toxic habits, and association with haplogroups have been determined. Results. 40% of patients developed hearing loss after administration of cisplatin, which was bilateral and symmetrical and of high frequencies. The most frequent haplogroup was H with a slight overexpression of groups V and K and a low frequency of groups J and T. No association of the haplogroup types with the hearing loss has been found; however age was revealed as an important determining factor. Conclusions. Ototoxicity caused by cisplatin is manifested as bilateral, symmetrical, and predominantly high frequency hearing loss. Although we did not find a strong correlation of haplogroups with ototoxicity, our results revealed the existence of a risk group of elderly patients over 60, which are more susceptible to hearing loss induced by cisplatin, than young adults, regardless of preexisting hearing loss.

Modified Earpieces and CROS for High Frequency Hearing Losses

1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Dodds ◽  
Earl Harford
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Test Results ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Difficult Cases

Persons with a high frequency hearing loss are difficult cases for whom to find suitable amplification. We have experienced some success with this problem in our Hearing Clinics using a specially designed earmold with a hearing aid. Thirty-five cases with high frequency hearing losses were selected from our clinical files for analysis of test results using standard, vented, and open earpieces. A statistical analysis of test results revealed that PB scores in sound field, using an average conversational intensity level (70 dB SPL), were enhanced when utilizing any one of the three earmolds. This result was due undoubtedly to increased sensitivity provided by the hearing aid. Only the open earmold used with a CROS hearing aid resulted in a significant improvement in discrimination when compared with the group’s unaided PB score under earphones or when comparing inter-earmold scores. These findings suggest that the inclusion of the open earmold with a CROS aid in the audiologist’s armamentarium should increase his flexibility in selecting hearing aids for persons with a high frequency hearing loss.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Effectiveness of Earplugs in Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in an Auto Parts Factory in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7190
Author(s):  
Wei Gong ◽  
Liangliang Zhao ◽  
Ling Li ◽  
Thais C. Morata ◽  
Wei Qiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Mandatory Requirement ◽  
Exposed Workers ◽  
Fit Testing ◽  
Auto Parts

A survey was administered to 385 noise-exposed workers from an auto parts factory and 1268 non-noise-exposed health department employees in China. Individual 8 h A-weighted equivalent sound levels (LAeq,8h), earplug personal attenuation ratings (PARs), and pure-tone audiometric tests were performed. The average LAeq,8h of noise-exposed workers was 87 dB (A) with a mean PAR of 7 dB. The prevalence of high-frequency hearing loss was 65% for noise-exposed workers and 33% for the non-noise-exposed employees. The use of earplugs had no observable effect on the prevalence of high-frequency hearing loss of the study participants (OR 0.964, 95% CI 0.925–1.005, p = 0.085). No significant relationship between the effectiveness offered by earplug use and high-frequency hearing thresholds at 3, 4, and 6 kHz was found (t = −1.54, p = 0.125). The mandatory requirement of earplug use without individualized training on how to wear HPDs correctly had no detectable effect on the prevention of hearing loss at the auto parts factory. The hearing conservation program at the surveyed factory was not effective. Periodic hearing tests, earplug fit testing, expanding the offer of different types of hearing protection, and employee education about the importance of protecting their hearing were recommended to the occupational health and safety program.

Effect of mastoid drilling on hearing of the contralateral ear

2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (10) ◽  
pp. 952-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Goyal ◽  
P P Singh ◽  
A Vashishth
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Otoacoustic Emissions ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Prospective Clinical Study ◽  
Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Contralateral Ear

AbstractObjectives:This study aimed to: understand the effect that high intensity noise associated with drilling (during otological surgery) has on hearing in the contralateral ear; determine the nature of hearing loss, if any, by establishing whether it is temporary or persistent; and examine the association between hearing loss and various drill parameters.Methods:A prospective clinical study was carried out at a tertiary centre. Thirty patients with unilateral cholesteatoma and normal contralateral hearing were included. Patients were evaluated pre-operatively and for five days following surgery using high frequency pure tone audiometry, and low and high frequency transient evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emission testing.Results:The findings revealed statistically significant changes in distortion product otoacoustic emissions at high frequencies (p = 0.016), and in transient evoked otoacoustic emissions at both low and high frequencies (p = 0.035 and 0.021, respectively). There was a higher statistical association between otoacoustic emission changes and cutting burrs compared with diamond burrs.Conclusion:Drilling during mastoid surgery poses a threat to hearing in the contralateral ear due to noise and vibration conducted transcranially.

Caudal Pontine Reticular Formation of C57BL/6J Mice: Responses to Startle Stimuli, Inhibition by Tones, and Plasticity

1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 2603-2614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Carlson ◽  
James F. Willott
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Reticular Formation ◽  
Auditory System ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Acoustic Startle ◽  
Acoustic Startle Response ◽  
Pontine Reticular Formation ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Old Mice

Carlson, Stephanie and James F. Willott. Caudal pontine reticular formation of C57BL/6J mice: responses to startle stimuli, inhibition by tones, and plasticity. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 2603–2614, 1998. C57BL/6J (C57) mice were used to examine relationships between the behavioral acoustic startle response (ASR) and the responses of neurons in the caudal pontine reticular formation (PnC) in three contexts: 1) responses evoked by basic startle stimuli; 2) the prepulse inhibition (PPI) paradigm; and 3) the effects of high-frequency hearing loss and concomitant neural plasticity that occurs in middle-aged C57 mice. 1) Responses (evoked action potentials) of PnC neurons closely paralleled the ASR with respect to latency, threshold, and responses to rapidly presented stimuli. 2) “Neural PPI” (inhibition of responses evoked by a startle stimulus when preceded by a tone prepulse) was observed in all PnC neurons studied. 3) In PnC neurons of 6-mo-old mice with high-frequency (>20 kHz) hearing loss, neural PPI was enhanced with 12- and 4-kHz prepulses, as it is behaviorally. These are frequencies that have become “overrepresented” in the central auditory system of 6-mo-old C57 mice. Thus neural plasticity in the auditory system, induced by high-frequency hearing loss, is correlated with increased salience of the inhibiting tones in both behavioral and neural PPI paradigms.

scholarly journals High Frequency Hearing Loss and Hyperactivity in DUX4 Transgenic Mice

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e0151467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhijit Dandapat ◽  
Benjamin J. Perrin ◽  
Christine Cabelka ◽  
Maria Razzoli ◽  
James M. Ervasti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss
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