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Perry TT, Nelson PB, Van Tasell DJ. Listener Factors Explain Little Variability in Self-Adjusted Hearing Aid Gain. Trends Hear 2019; 23:2331216519837124. [PMID: 30880645 PMCID: PMC6423677 DOI: 10.1177/2331216519837124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-adjustment of hearing aid gain can provide valuable information about the
gain preferences of individual listeners, but these preferences are not well
understood. Listeners with mild-to-moderate hearing loss used self-adjustment to
select amplification gain and compression parameters in real time on a portable
touch screen device while listening in quiet and noisy backgrounds. Adjustments
to gain prescribed by the National Acoustics Laboratories' non-linear fitting
procedure (NAL-NL2) showed large between-subject variability. Known listener
characteristics (age, gender, hearing thresholds, hearing aid experience,
acceptable noise level, and external ear characteristics) and listener
engagement with the self-adjustment software were examined as potential
predictors of this variability. Neither listener characteristics nor time spent
adjusting gain were robust predictors of gain change from NAL-NL2. Listeners
with less than 2 years of hearing aid experience and who also had better hearing
thresholds tended to select less gain, relative to NAL-NL2, than experienced
hearing aid users who had poorer thresholds. Listener factors explained no more
than 10% of the between-subject variance in deviation from NAL-NL2, suggesting
that modifying prescriptive fitting formulae based on the factors examined here
would be unlikely to result in amplification parameters that are similar to
user-customized settings. Self-adjustment typically took less than 3 min,
indicating that listeners could use comparable technology without a substantial
time commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor T Perry
- 1 Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,2 Center for Applied and Translational Sensory Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Peggy B Nelson
- 1 Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,2 Center for Applied and Translational Sensory Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Dianne J Van Tasell
- 1 Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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2
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Jung EK, Choi YM, Kim EJ, Lee S, Cho HH. Development of Sound Field Audiometry System for Small Audiometric Booths and Comparison of Its Equivalence With Traditional System. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol 2019; 13:29-35. [PMID: 31302989 PMCID: PMC7010499 DOI: 10.21053/ceo.2019.00577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
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 P>0.05). Participants with hearing aids showed similar warble tone threshold and SRT (P>0.05) in both systems except for threshold of 4 kHz (P=0.033). SDS was significantly higher in the newly developed system (P<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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Kyung Jung
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Young Mi Choi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Eun Jung Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Sungsu Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hyong-Ho Cho
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
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3
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Denys S, Latzel M, Francart T, Wouters J. A preliminary investigation into hearing aid fitting based on automated real-ear measurements integrated in the fitting software: test-retest reliability, matching accuracy and perceptual outcomes. Int J Audiol 2018; 58:132-140. [PMID: 30513024 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2018.1543958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The recent integration of automated real-ear measurements (REM) in the fitting software facilitates the hearing aid fitting process. Such a fitting strategy, TargetMatch (TM), was evaluated. Test-retest reliability and matching accuracy were quantified, and compared to a REM-based fitting with manual adjustment. Also, it was investigated whether TM leads to better perceptual outcomes compared to a FirstFit (FF) approach, using software predictions only. Design and study sample: Ten hearing impaired participants were enrolled in a counterbalanced single-blinded cross-over study comparing TM and FF. Aided audibility, speech intelligibility and real-life benefits were assessed. Repeated measurements of both TM and REMs with manual adjustment were performed. RESULTS Compared to a REM-based fitting with manual adjustment, TM had higher test-retest reliability. Also, TM outperformed the other fitting strategies in terms of matching accuracy. Compared to a FF, improved aided audibility and real-life benefits were found. Speech intelligibility did not improve. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary data suggest that automated REMs increase the likelihood of meeting amplification targets compared with a FF. REMs integrated in the fitting software provide additional reliability and accuracy compared to traditional REMs. Findings need to be verified in a larger and more varied sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Denys
- a KU Leuven , Department of Neurosciences , Leuven , Belgium
| | | | - Tom Francart
- a KU Leuven , Department of Neurosciences , Leuven , Belgium
| | - Jan Wouters
- a KU Leuven , Department of Neurosciences , Leuven , Belgium
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Vaisberg JM, Macpherson EA, Scollie SD. Extended bandwidth real-ear measurement accuracy and repeatability to 10 kHz. Int J Audiol 2016; 55:580-6. [PMID: 27367278 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2016.1197427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Direct real-ear measurement to the 4-6 kHz range can be measured with suitable accuracy and repeatability. This study evaluates extended bandwidth measurement accuracy and repeatability using narrowband and wideband signal analysis. DESIGN White noise was measured in female ear canals at four insertion depths using one-third and one-twenty-fourth octave band averaging. STUDY SAMPLE Fourteen female adults with reported normal hearing and middle-ear function participated in the study. RESULTS Test-retest differences were within ±2 dB for typical frequency bandwidths at insertion depths administered in clinical practice, and for up to 8 kHz at the experimental 30 mm insertion depth. The 28 mm insertion depth was the best predictor of ear canal levels measured at the 30 mm insertion depth. There was no effect of signal analysis bandwidth on accuracy or repeatability. CONCLUSIONS Clinically feasible 28 mm probe tube insertions reliably measured up to 8 kHz and predicted intensities up to 10 kHz measured at the 30 mm insertion depth more accurately than did shallower insertion depths. Signal analysis bandwidth may not be an important clinical issue at least for one-third and one-twenty-fourth octave band analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Vaisberg
- a National Centre for Audiology, Western University , London , Ontario , Canada .,b Graduate Program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Hearing Science), Faculty of Health Sciences , Western University , London , Ontario , Canada , and
| | - Ewan A Macpherson
- a National Centre for Audiology, Western University , London , Ontario , Canada .,c School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Health Sciences , Western University , London , Ontario , Canada
| | - Susan D Scollie
- a National Centre for Audiology, Western University , London , Ontario , Canada .,c School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Health Sciences , Western University , London , Ontario , Canada
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Ferrari DV, Bernardez-Braga GRA, Campos PD. Verificação da prótese auditiva realizada face a face e via teleconsulta: medidas repetidas. REVISTA CEFAC 2011. [DOI: 10.1590/s1516-18462011005000104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJETIVO: avaliar as medidas repetidas da resposta de ressonância da orelha externa sem (REUR) e com uso de amplificação (REAR) e o ganho de inserção (REIG), realizados face a face e via teleconsulta. MÉTODO: estudo prospectivo longitudinal. Foram realizadas quatro repetições da REUR, REAR e REIG (com estímulo speech noise apresentado em 65 dB NPS e 0º azimute) em 19 orelhas de adultos ouvintes normais, via face a face (F) e teleconsulta síncrona por controle remoto de aplicativo (T) e vídeo interativo. O software Polycom PVX foi utilizado para compartilhamento e transmissão de áudio e vídeo. A conexão foi realizada via LAN (Local Area Network) USP na velocidade de 384 kbps Foi calculado o erro causal (Dalhberg) entre as quatro medidas para frequências de 250 a 8000 Hz. RESULTADOS: os erros casuais entre as medidas F e T foram muito semelhantes, sendo maiores nas frequências acima de 4 kHz. As diferenças e variações entre as medidas F e T estavam dentro da magnitude de variabilidade do procedimento de medidas com microfone sonda. CONCLUSÃO: as medidas com microfone sonda via teleconsulta fornece resultados confiáveis e similares aos obtidos pelo procedimento padrão.
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Ferrari DV, Bernardez-Braga GRA. Remote probe microphone measurement to verify hearing aid performance. J Telemed Telecare 2009; 15:122-4. [DOI: 10.1258/jtt.2009.003005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We assessed the feasibility of obtaining probe microphone measurements of hearing aids at a distance. Face-to-face and remote probe microphone measurements were carried out in 60 hearing aid users (mean age 67 yrs) with uni- or bilateral hearing losses (105 ears tested). The participant and a facilitator were located in a room equipped with a probe microphone system interfaced to a PC. Desktop videoconferencing and application sharing was used to allow an audiologist in another room to instruct the facilitator and control the equipment via the LAN. There were significant correlations between face-to-face and remote real ear unaided response (REUR), aided response (REAR) and insertion gain (REIG) at seven discrete frequencies from 250 to 6000 Hz. Differences between face-to-face and remote responses were within the reported variability for probe microphone measurements themselves. The results show that remote probe microphone measurements are feasible and might improve the quality of public hearing aid services and professional training in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Viviane Ferrari
- Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology,
Dentistry School of Bauru, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo,
Brazil
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Kuk F, Ludvigsen C. Reconsidering the concept of the aided threshold for nonlinear hearing AIDS. Trends Amplif 2004; 7:77-97. [PMID: 15004648 PMCID: PMC4168919 DOI: 10.1177/108471380300700302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The aided threshold (and functional gain) has been discussed in the context of linear hearing aids since the early 1960s. The use of nonlinear hearing aids, however, could change the meaningfulness of this verification tool because of their unique characteristics. The interpretation of the aided threshold (and functional gain) as it pertains to linear and nonlinear hearing aids is reviewed. Also discussed are the ideas of an optimal aided threshold, factors that may affect its magnitude, and a comparison between functional gain and insertion gain measures. Finally, how to improve the accuracy of the aided thresholds (and functional gain) through the use of in-situ unaided threshold measurements is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Kuk
- Widex Office of Research in Clinical Amplification, Lisle, IL 60532, USA
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Pugsley S, Stuart A, Kalinowski J, Armson J. Changes in Hearing Sensitivity Following Portable Stereo System Use. Am J Audiol 1993; 2:64-7. [PMID: 26661433 DOI: 10.1044/1059-0889.0203.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/1993] [Accepted: 07/13/1993] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in hearing sensitivity following portable stereo system (PSS; Sony Walkman Model WM-AF605 with Sony Semiaural Headphones Model MDR-A21L) use were investigated. Test-retest differences (TRDs) in audiometric thresholds at eight frequencies (250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, & 8000 Hz) were obtained from 15 young adults before and after one hour of PSS exposure at their preferred listening levels.Values for the 95% confidence levels representing critical differences in test-retest auditory thresholds for the eight test frequencies were generated from a control group of 15 young adults. Experimental subjects' TRDs, when compared to the critical TRDs, failed to display a decrease in hearing sensitivity after one hour of PSS use. It is suggested that PSS use at preferred listening levels, following an exposure time of one hour, may not contribute to a significant impairment in hearing sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Pugsley
- Dalhousie University Department of Psychology, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J1
| | - Andrew Stuart
- Dalhousie University Department of Psychology, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J1
| | - Joseph Kalinowski
- Dalhousie University Department of Psychology, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J1
| | - Joy Armson
- Dalhousie University Department of Psychology, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J1
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McPherson B, Smyth V, Scott J. External ear resonance as a screening technique in children with otitis media with effusion. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1993; 25:81-9. [PMID: 8436483 DOI: 10.1016/0165-5876(93)90012-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
External ear resonance can be quickly and accurately measured using real ear insertion gain equipment. It has been previously shown that external ear resonance characteristics are often altered by the presence of middle ear fluid. The external ear resonance characteristics of 84 children with a history of chronic middle ear disorder were determined. Results were compared to other audiological data and otological findings recorded during surgery. External ear resonance peak amplitude was significantly correlated with the presence or absence of middle ear fluid. It was found that peak amplitude of > or = 24 dB was associated with only 15% of dry ears and peak amplitude of < or = 22 dB associated with 79% of ears without fluid. The use of external ear resonance measures as a potential screening procedure is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- B McPherson
- Department of Speech and Hearing, University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia
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