Showing papers in "Trends in hearing in 2021"

Listening Effort Is Not the Same as Speech Intelligibility Score

Abstract: Listening effort is a valuable and important notion to measure because it is among the primary complaints of people with hearing loss. It is tempting and intuitive to accept speech intelligibility ...

A MultiCenter Analysis of Factors Associated with Hearing Outcome for 2,735 Adults with Cochlear Implants.

Abstract: While the majority of cochlear implant recipients benefit from the device, it remains difficult to estimate the degree of benefit for a specific patient prior to implantation. Using data from 2,735 cochlear-implant recipients from across three clinics, the largest retrospective study of cochlear-implant outcomes to date, we investigate the association between 21 preoperative factors and speech recognition approximately one year after implantation and explore the consistency of their effects across the three constituent datasets. We provide evidence of 17 statistically significant associations, in either univariate or multivariate analysis, including confirmation of associations for several predictive factors, which have only been examined in prior smaller studies. Despite the large sample size, a multivariate analysis shows that the variance explained by our models remains modest across the datasets (R2=0.12-0.21). Finally, we report a novel statistical interaction indicating that the duration of deafness in the implanted ear has a stronger impact on hearing outcome when considered relative to a candidate's age. Our multicenter study highlights several real-world complexities that impact the clinical translation of predictive factors for cochlear implantation outcome. We suggest several directions to overcome these challenges and further improve our ability to model patient outcomes with increased accuracy.

No Evidence That Music Training Benefits Speech Perception in Hearing-Impaired Listeners: A Systematic Review.

Abstract: As musicians have been shown to have a range of superior auditory skills to non-musicians (e.g., pitch discrimination ability), it has been hypothesized by many researchers that music training can have a beneficial effect on speech perception in populations with hearing impairment. This hypothesis relies on an assumption that the benefits seen in musicians are due to their training and not due to innate skills that may support successful musicianship. This systematic review examined the evidence from 13 longitudinal training studies that tested the hypothesis that music training has a causal effect on speech perception ability in hearing-impaired listeners. The papers were evaluated for quality of research design and appropriate analysis techniques. Only 4 of the 13 papers used a research design that allowed a causal relation between music training and outcome benefits to be validly tested, and none of those 4 papers with a better quality study design demonstrated a benefit of music training for speech perception. In spite of the lack of valid evidence in support of the hypothesis, 10 of the 13 papers made claims of benefits of music training, showing a propensity for confirmation bias in this area of research. It is recommended that future studies that aim to evaluate the association of speech perception ability and music training use a study design that differentiates the effects of training from those of innate perceptual and cognitive skills in the participants.

Hearing Aids Reduce Daily-Life Fatigue and Increase Social Activity: A Longitudinal Study.

Abstract: People with hearing loss experience fatigue, and it is unknown whether this is alleviated by treatment with hearing aids. The objective of this study was to address this issue and to investigate th...

Cochlear Implantation in Infants: Evidence of Safety.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate surgical, anesthetic, and device-related complications associated with cochlear implantation (CI) in children younger than 1 year of age. This was a multice...

Conceptual Model of Hearing Health Inequalities (HHI Model): A Critical Interpretive Synthesis

Abstract: Hearing loss is a major health challenge that can have severe physical, social, cognitive, economic, and emotional consequences on people's quality of life Currently, the modifiable factors linked to socioeconomic inequalities in hearing health are poorly understood Therefore, an online database search (PubMed, Scopus, and Psych) was conducted to identify literature that relates hearing loss to health inequalities as a determinant or health outcome A total of 53 studies were selected to thematically summarize the existing literature, using a critical interpretive synthesis method, where the subjectivity of the researcher is intimately involved in providing new insights with explanatory power The evidence provided by the literature can be summarized under four key themes: (a) There might be a vicious cycle between hearing loss and socioeconomic inequalities and lifestyle factors, (b) socioeconomic position may interact with less healthy lifestyles, which are harmful to hearing ability, (c) increasing health literacy could improve the diagnosis and prognosis of hearing loss and prevent the adverse consequences of hearing loss on people's health, and (d) people with hearing loss might be vulnerable to receiving low-quality and less safe health care This study uses elements from theoretical models of health inequalities to formulate a highly interpretive conceptual model for examining hearing health inequalities This model depicts the specific mechanisms of hearing health and their evolution over time There are many modifiable determinants of hearing loss, in several stages across an individual's life span; tackling socioeconomic inequalities throughout the life-course could improve the population's health, maximizing the opportunity for healthy aging

Sound Localization Bias and Error in Bimodal Listeners Improve Instantaneously When the Device Delay Mismatch Is Reduced.

Abstract: Users of a cochlear implant (CI) in one ear, who are provided with a hearing aid (HA) in the contralateral ear, so-called bimodal listeners, are typically affected by a constant and relatively larg...

Harmonic Cancellation—A Fundamental of Auditory Scene Analysis:

Abstract: This paper reviews the hypothesis of harmonic cancellation according to which an interfering sound is suppressed or canceled on the basis of its harmonicity (or periodicity in the time domain) for the purpose of Auditory Scene Analysis. It defines the concept, discusses theoretical arguments in its favor, and reviews experimental results that support it, or not. If correct, the hypothesis may draw on time-domain processing of temporally accurate neural representations within the brainstem, as required also by the classic equalization-cancellation model of binaural unmasking. The hypothesis predicts that a target sound corrupted by interference will be easier to hear if the interference is harmonic than inharmonic, all else being equal. This prediction is borne out in a number of behavioral studies, but not all. The paper reviews those results, with the aim to understand the inconsistencies and come up with a reliable conclusion for, or against, the hypothesis of harmonic cancellation within the auditory system.

Functional Consequences of Poor Binaural Hearing in Development: Evidence From Children With Unilateral Hearing Loss and Children Receiving Bilateral Cochlear Implants.

Abstract: Poor binaural hearing in children was hypothesized to contribute to related cognitive and academic deficits. Children with unilateral hearing have normal hearing in one ear but no access to binaura...

Simultaneous Intra- and Extracochlear Electrocochleography During Cochlear Implantation to Enhance Response Interpretation.

Abstract: The use of electrocochleography (ECochG) for providing real-time feedback of cochlear function during cochlear implantation is receiving increased attention for preventing cochlear trauma and prese...

Characteristics of Speech-Evoked Envelope Following Responses in Infancy.

Abstract: Envelope following responses (EFRs) may be a useful tool for evaluating the audibility of speech sounds in infants. The present study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of speech-evoked EFRs in ...

Review of Whole Head Experimental Cochlear Promontory Vibration with Bone Conduction Stimulation and Investigation of Experimental Setup Effects.

Abstract: Bone conduction sound transmission in humans has been extensively studied using cochlear promontory vibrations. These studies use vibration data collected from measurements in live humans, whole cadavers, and severed cadaver heads, with stimulation applied either at an implant in the skull bone or directly on the skin. Experimental protocols, methods, and preparation of cadavers or cadaver heads vary among the studies, and it is currently unknown to what extent the aforementioned variables affect the outcome of those studies. The current study has two aims. The first aim is to review and compare available experimental data and assess the effects of the experimental protocol and methods. The second aim is to investigate similarities and differences found between the experimental studies based on simulations in a finite element model, the LiUHead. With implant stimulation, the average cochlear promontory vibration levels were within 10 dB, independent of the experimental setup and preparations of the cadavers or cadaver heads. With on-skin stimulation, the results were consistent between cadaver heads and living humans. Partial or complete replacement of the brain with air does not affect the cochlear promontory vibration, whereas replacing the brain with liquid reduces the vibration level by up to 5 dB. An intact head-neck connection affects the vibration of the head at frequencies below 300-400 Hz with a significant vibration reduction at frequencies below 200 Hz. Removing all soft tissue, brain tissue, and intracranial fluid from the head increases the overall cochlear promontory vibration level by around 5 dB.

Differences Between Older Adults Who Do and Do Not Try Hearing Aids and Between Those Who Keep and Return the Devices.

Abstract: The focus of this study was on the differences between older adults who complied with a clinical recommendation for hearing-aid acquisition (adherents; N = 105) and those who did not (nonadherents;...

Dual-Task Accuracy and Response Time Index Effects of Spoken Sentence Predictability and Cognitive Load on Listening Effort.

Abstract: A sequential dual-task design was used to assess the impacts of spoken sentence context and cognitive load on listening effort. Young adults with normal hearing listened to sentences masked by multitalker babble in which sentence-final words were either predictable or unpredictable. Each trial began with visual presentation of a short (low-load) or long (high-load) sequence of to-be-remembered digits. Words were identified more quickly and accurately in predictable than unpredictable sentence contexts. In addition, digits were recalled more quickly and accurately on trials on which the sentence was predictable, indicating reduced listening effort for predictable compared to unpredictable sentences. For word and digit recall response time but not for digit recall accuracy, the effect of predictability remained significant after exclusion of trials with incorrect word responses and was thus independent of speech intelligibility. In addition, under high cognitive load, words were identified more slowly and digits were recalled more slowly and less accurately than under low load. Participants' working memory and vocabulary were not correlated with the sentence context benefit in either word recognition or digit recall. Results indicate that listening effort is reduced when sentences are predictable and that cognitive load affects the processing of spoken words in sentence contexts.

Effectiveness of Computer-Based Auditory Training for Adult Cochlear Implant Users: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess whether a computer-based speech-in-noise auditory training (AT) program would lead to short- and long-term changes in trained and untrained measures of listening...

Transmission of Binaural Cues by Bilateral Cochlear Implants: Examining the Impacts of Bilaterally Independent Spectral Peak-Picking, Pulse Timing, and Compression:

Abstract: Acoustic hearing listeners use binaural cues—interaural time differences (ITDs) and interaural level differences (ILDs)—for localization and segregation of sound sources in the horizontal plane. Co...

Synchronized Automatic Gain Control in Bilateral Cochlear Implant Recipients Yields Significant Benefit in Static and Dynamic Listening Conditions.

Abstract: Individuals with bilateral cochlear implants (BiCIs) rely mostly on interaural level difference (ILD) cues to localize stationary sounds in the horizontal plane Independent automatic gain control

Personal Music Players and Hearing Loss: The HUNT Cohort Study:

Abstract: It is unclear whether the current average use of personal music players (PMPs) including mobile phones has affected hearing in the general population. The association between the use of PMPs and he...

Perceived Sound Quality Dimensions Influencing Frequency-Gain Shaping Preferences for Hearing Aid-Amplified Speech and Music.

Abstract: Hearing aids are typically fitted using speech-based prescriptive formulae to make speech more intelligible. Individual preferences may vary from these prescriptions and may also vary with signal type. It is important to consider what motivates listener preferences and how those preferences can inform hearing aid processing so that assistive listening devices can best be tailored for hearing aid users. Therefore, this study explored preferred frequency-gain shaping relative to prescribed gain for speech and music samples. Preferred gain was determined for 22 listeners with mild sloping to moderately severe hearing loss relative to individually prescribed amplification while listening to samples of male speech, female speech, pop music, and classical music across low-, mid-, and high-frequency bands. Samples were amplified using a fast-acting compression hearing aid simulator. Preferences were determined using an adaptive paired comparison procedure. Listeners then rated speech and music samples processed using prescribed and preferred shaping across different sound quality descriptors. On average, low-frequency gain was significantly increased relative to the prescription for all stimuli and most substantially for pop and classical music. High-frequency gain was decreased significantly for pop music and male speech. Gain adjustments, particularly in the mid- and high-frequency bands, varied considerably between listeners. Music preferences were driven by changes in perceived fullness and sharpness, whereas speech preferences were driven by changes in perceived intelligibility and loudness. The results generally support the use of prescribed amplification to optimize speech intelligibility and alternative amplification for music listening for most listeners.

Instrumental Quality Predictions and Analysis of Auditory Cues for Algorithms in Modern Headphone Technology

Abstract: Smart headphones or hearables use different types of algorithms such as noise cancelation, feedback suppression, and sound pressure equalization to eliminate undesired sound sources or to achieve a...

Unilateral Acoustic Degradation Delays Attentional Separation of Competing Speech.

Abstract: Hearing loss is often asymmetric such that hearing thresholds differ substantially between the two ears. The extreme case of such asymmetric hearing is single-sided deafness. A unilateral cochlear implant (CI) on the more severely impaired ear is an effective treatment to restore hearing. The interactive effects of unilateral acoustic degradation and spatial attention to one sound source in multitalker situations are at present unclear. Here, we simulated some features of listening with a unilateral CI in young, normal-hearing listeners (N = 22) who were presented with 8-band noise-vocoded speech to one ear and intact speech to the other ear. Neural responses were recorded in the electroencephalogram to obtain the spectrotemporal response function to speech. Listeners made more mistakes when answering questions about vocoded (vs. intact) attended speech. At the neural level, we asked how unilateral acoustic degradation would impact the attention-induced amplification of tracking target versus distracting speech. Interestingly, unilateral degradation did not per se reduce the attention-induced amplification but instead delayed it in time: Speech encoding accuracy, modelled on the basis of the spectrotemporal response function, was significantly enhanced for attended versus ignored intact speech at earlier neural response latencies (<∼250 ms). This attentional enhancement was not absent but delayed for vocoded speech. These findings suggest that attentional selection of unilateral, degraded speech is feasible but induces delayed neural separation of competing speech, which might explain listening challenges experienced by unilateral CI users.

Effect of Chronological Age on Pulse Rate Discrimination in Adult Cochlear-Implant Users.

Abstract: Cochlear-implant (CI) users rely heavily on temporal envelope cues to understand speech. Temporal processing abilities may decline with advancing age in adult CI users. This study investigated the ...

A Comparison of Environment Classification Among Premium Hearing Instruments.

Abstract: Hearing aids classify acoustic environments into multiple, generic classes for the purposes of guiding signal processing. Information about environmental classification is made available to the clinician for fitting, counseling, and troubleshooting purposes. The goal of this study was to better inform scientists and clinicians about the nature of that information by comparing the classification schemes among five premium hearing instruments in a wide range of acoustic scenes including those that vary in signal-to-noise ratio and overall level (dB SPL). Twenty-eight acoustic scenes representing various prototypical environments were presented to five premium devices mounted on an acoustic manikin. Classification measures were recorded from the brand-specific fitting software then recategorized to generic labels to conceal the device company, including (a) Speech in Quiet, (b) Speech in Noise, (c) Noise, and (d) Music. Twelve normal-hearing listeners also classified each scene. The results revealed a variety of similarities and differences among the five devices and the human subjects. Where some devices were highly dependent on input overall level, others were influenced markedly by signal-to-noise ratio. Differences between human and hearing aid classification were evident for several speech and music scenes. Environmental classification is the heart of the signal processing strategy for any given device, providing key input to subsequent decision-making. Comprehensive assessment of environmental classification is essential when considering the cost of signal processing errors, the potential impact for typical wearers, and the information that is available for use by clinicians. The magnitude of differences among devices is remarkable and to be noted.

Listening Effort in School-Aged Children With Limited Useable Hearing Unilaterally: Examining the Effects of a Personal, Digital Remote Microphone System and a Contralateral Routing of Signal System:

Abstract: Technology options for children with limited hearing unilaterally that improve the signal-to-noise ratio are expected to improve speech recognition and also reduce listening effort in challenging l...

Functional Polymorphism of MMP9 and BDNF as Potential Biomarker of Auditory Neuroplasticity in Prelingual Deafness Treatment With Cochlear Implantation-A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Abstract: Genetic biomarkers of neuroplasticity in deaf children treated with cochlear implantation (CI) might facilitate their clinical management, especially giving them better chances of developing profic

Individual Hearing Aid Benefit in Real Life Evaluated Using Ecological Momentary Assessment

Abstract: Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) was used in 24 adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who were seeking first hearing-aid (HA) fitting or HA renewal. At two stages in the aural rehabilitati...

Amplitude Growth Functions of Auditory Nerve Responses to Electric Pulse Stimulation With Varied Interphase Gaps in Cochlear Implant Users With Ipsilateral Residual Hearing.

Abstract: Amplitude growth functions (AGFs) of electrically evoked compound action potentials (eCAPs) with varying interphase gaps (IPGs) were measured in cochlear implant users with ipsilateral residual hearing (electric-acoustic stimulation [EAS]). It was hypothesized that IPG effects on AGFs provide an objective measure to estimate neural health. This hypothesis was tested in EAS users, as residual low-frequency hearing might imply survival of hair cells and hence better neural health in apical compared to basal cochlear regions. A total of 16 MED-EL EAS subjects participated, as well as a control group of 16 deaf cochlear implant users. The IPG effect on the AGF characteristics of slope, threshold, dynamic range, and stimulus level at 50% maximum eCAP amplitude (level50%) was investigated. AGF threshold and level50% were significantly affected by the IPG in both EAS and control group. The magnitude of AGF characteristics correlated with electrode impedance and electrode-modiolus distance (EMD) in both groups. In contrast, the change of the AGF characteristics with increasing IPG was independent of these electrode-specific measures. The IPG effect on the AGF level50% in both groups, as well as on the threshold in EAS users, correlated with the duration of hearing loss, which is a predictor of neural health. In EAS users, a significantly different IPG effect on level50% was found between apical and medial electrodes. This outcome is consistent with our hypothesis that the influence of IPG effects on AGF characteristics provides a sensitive measurement and may indicate better neural health in the apex compared to the medial cochlear region in EAS users.

Head Shadow, Summation, and Squelch in Bilateral Cochlear-Implant Users With Linked Automatic Gain Controls.

Abstract: Speech understanding in noise is poorer in bilateral cochlear-implant (BICI) users compared to normal-hearing counterparts. Independent automatic gain controls (AGCs) may contribute to this because...

Effect of Speech-to-Noise Ratio and Luminance on a Range of Current and Potential Pupil Response Measures to Assess Listening Effort.

Abstract: In hearing research, pupillometry is an established method of studying listening effort. The focus of this study was to evaluate several pupil measures extracted from the Task-Evoked Pupil Responses (TEPRs) in speech-in-noise test. A range of analysis approaches was applied to extract these pupil measures, namely (a) pupil peak dilation (PPD); (b) mean pupil dilation (MPD); (c) index of pupillary activity; (d) growth curve analysis (GCA); and (e) principal component analysis (PCA). The effect of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR; Data Set A: -20 dB, -10 dB, +5 dB SNR) and luminance (Data Set B: 0.1 cd/m2, 360 cd/m2) on the TEPRs were investigated. Data Sets A and B were recorded during a speech-in-noise test and included TEPRs from 33 and 27 normal-hearing native Dutch speakers, respectively. The main results were as follows: (a) A significant effect of SNR was revealed for all pupil measures extracted in the time domain (PPD, MPD, GCA, PCA); (b) Two time series analysis approaches (GCA, PCA) provided modeled temporal profiles of TEPRs (GCA); and time windows spanning subtasks performed in a speech-in-noise test (PCA); and (c) All pupil measures revealed a significant effect of luminance. In conclusion, multiple pupil measures showed similar effects of SNR, suggesting that effort may be reflected in multiple aspects of TEPR. Moreover, a direct analysis of the pupil time course seems to provide a more holistic view of TEPRs, yet further research is needed to understand and interpret its measures. Further research is also required to find pupil measures less sensitive to changes in luminance.

Reward Enhances Online Participants' Engagement With a Demanding Auditory Task.

Abstract: Online recruitment platforms are increasingly used for experimental research. Crowdsourcing is associated with numerous benefits but also notable constraints, including lack of control over partici...