Adrienne Rubinstein

Bio: Adrienne Rubinstein is an academic researcher from Brooklyn College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Speech perception & Selective auditory attention. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 11 publications receiving 306 citations. Previous affiliations of Adrienne Rubinstein include New York University.

Combined effects of noise and reverberation on speech recognition performance of normal-hearing children and adults.

Abstract: Objectives:The purpose of this study is to determine how combinations of noise levels and reverberation typical of ranges found in current classrooms will affect speech recognition performance of typically developing children with normal speech, language, and hearing and to compare their performance

Effect of Two Approaches to Auditory Training on Speech Recognition by Hearing-Impaired Adults

Abstract: Twenty adults with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing impairments were given three tests of speech recognition: the CUNY Nonsense Syllable Test (NST), the low predictability items of the Revise...

The effect of telephone intervention on success with amplification.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether periodic clinician-initiated telephone contact would reduce the number of unresolved complaints and increase satisfaction, use, and perceived benefit at 4 mo postfitting. Thirty subjects were contacted at 6, 9, and 12 wk postfitting to address questions and to encourage them to return to the clinic to resolve hearing aid-related problems. A control group of 30 subjects was encouraged to contact the center if problems arose at the time of dispensing only. All subjects were interviewed at 4 mo following receipt of the aids, and were sent the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly at the same time as well as at the time of dispensing. Results revealed a significant reduction in perceived handicap in general, but no significant difference between groups on measures of satisfaction, use, or benefit. There was no significant difference between groups in the number of unresolved complaints at the time of the interview; however, a trend toward fewer complaints in the experimental group was noted. A significantly greater number of complaints were raised for the first time in the control group than in the experimental group at the time of the interview, indicating that more problems remained unaddressed in the absence of clinician-initiated intervention. Therefore, the continued investigation of aggressive, and efficient, postfitting management schemes is warranted.

Measuring Speech Recognition in Children With Cochlear Implants in a Virtual Classroom

Abstract: Purpose To determine the feasibility of using a virtual auditory test material to evaluate reverberation and noise effects on speech recognition of pediatric cochlear implant (CI) users and to comp...

Comparing monotic and diotic selective auditory attention abilities in children.

Abstract: Purpose Some researchers have assessed ear-specific performance of auditory processing ability using speech recognition tasks with normative data based on diotic administration. The present study i...

Factors influencing help seeking, hearing aid uptake, hearing aid use and satisfaction with hearing aids: a review of the literature.

Abstract: Objectives: This descriptive summary of the literature provides an overview of the available studies (published between January 1980 and January 2009) on correlates of help-seeking behavior for hearing loss, hearing-aid uptake, hearing-aid use, and satisfaction with the device. Methods: Publications were identified by structured searches in Pubmed and Cinahl and by inspecting the reference lists of relevant articles. The articles covered different stages that a person with hearing impairment may go through: prior to hearing aid fitting, the period covering the fitting and the period post hearing aid fitting. Inclusion of articles occurred according to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted by two independent researchers. Thirty-nine papers were included that identified 31 factors examined in relation to the four outcome measures. These covered personal factors (e.g., source of motivation, expectation, attitude), demographic factors (e.g., age, gender) and external factors (e.g., cost, counseling). Only two studies covered the actual fitting process. There was only one factor positively affecting all four outcome variables. This was self-reported hearing disability. The vast majority of studies showed no relationship of age and gender with any of the outcome domains. Discussion and conclusion: Whereas research of the last 28 years yielded valuable information regarding relevant and irrelevant factors in hearing aid health care, there are still many relevant issues that have never been investigated in controlled studies. These are discussed.

Electronic Communication With Patients: Evaluation of Distance Medicine Technology

Abstract: Objective. —To evaluate controlled evidence on the efficacy of distance medicine technologies in clinical practice and health care outcome. Data Sources. —Systematic electronic database and manual searches (1966-1996) were conducted to identify clinical trial reports on distance medicine applications. Study Selection. —Three eligibility criteria were applied: prospective, contemporaneously controlled clinical trial with random assignment of the intervention; electronic distance technology application in the intervention group and no similar intervention in the control group; and measurement of the intervention effect on process or outcome of care. Data Extraction. —Data were abstracted by independent reviewers using a standardized abstraction form and the quality of methodology was scored. Distance technology applications were described in 6 categories: computerized communication, telephone follow-up and counseling, telephone reminders, interactive telephone systems, after-hours telephone access, and telephone screening. Data Synthesis. —Of 80 eligible clinical trials, 61 (76%) analyzed providerinitiated communication with patients and 50 (63%) reported positive outcome, improved performance, or significant benefits, including studies of computerized communication (7 of 7), telephone follow-up and counseling (20 of 37), telephone reminders (14 of 23), interactive telephone systems (5 of 6), telephone access (3 of 4), and telephone screening (1 of 3). Significantly improved outcomes were demonstrated in studies of preventive care, management of osteoarthritis, cardiac rehabilitation, and diabetes care. Conclusions. —Distance medicine technology enables greater continuity of care by improving access and supporting the coordination of activities by a clinician. The benefits of distance technologies in facilitating communication between clinicians and patients indicate that application of telemedicine should not be limited to physician-to-physician communication.

Does noise affect learning? A short review on noise effects on cognitive performance in children

Abstract: The present paper provides an overview of research concerning both acute and chronic effects of exposure to noise on children's cognitive performance. Experimental studies addressing the impact of acute exposure showed negative effects on speech perception and listening comprehension. These effects are more pronounced in children as compared to adults. Children with language or attention disorders and second-language learners are still more impaired than age-matched controls. Noise-induced disruption was also found for non-auditory tasks, i.e., serial recall of visually presented lists and reading. The impact of chronic exposure to noise was examined in quasi-experimental studies. Indoor noise and reverberation in classroom settings were found to be associated with poorer performance of the children in verbal tasks. Regarding chronic exposure to aircraft noise, studies consistently found that high exposure is associated with lower reading performance. Even though the reported effects are usually small in magnitude, and confounding variables were not always sufficiently controlled, policy makers responsible for noise abatement should be aware of the potential impact of environmental noise on children's development.

Efficacy of individual auditory training in adults: a systematic review of the evidence.

Abstract: A systematic review of the literature was conducted addressing the following question, "Is there evidence of improvement in communication skills through individual auditory training in an adult hearing-impaired population?" Keywords and authors were used as search terms in eight major indexes, and seven textbooks were reviewed for related references. The level of evidence that was accepted included randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, cohort, and before/after designs with or without control groups. Two hundred thirteen articles were identified during the preliminary search with 171 of these eliminated by review of abstracts because they did not meet the search criteria. Forty-two manuscripts were reviewed, with six meeting the evidence and search criteria. The strengths and weaknesses of these studies are high-lighted, and the systematic review question is answered in light of these studies. In addition, elements critical to the future of auditory training research and clinical practice are offered.