Improvements in Speech Understanding With Wireless Binaural Broadband Digital Hearing Instruments in Adults With Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract

This investigation examined whether speech intelligibility in noise can be improved using a new, binaural broadband hearing instrument system. Participants were 36 adults with symmetrical, sensorineural hearing loss (18 experienced hearing instrument users and 18 without prior experience). Participants were fit binaurally in a planned comparison, randomized crossover design study with binaural broadband hearing instruments and advanced digital hearing instruments. Following an adjustment period with each device, participants underwent two speech-in-noise tests: the QuickSIN and the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT). Results suggested significantly better performance on the QuickSIN and the HINT measures with the binaural broadband hearing instruments, when compared with the advanced digital hearing instruments and unaided, across and within all noise conditions.

Efficacy of Directional Microphones in Hearing Aids Equipped with Wireless Synchronization Technology

“…All listeners were tested with HINT and measured for errors in localization in both the Front/Back and Left/Right dimensions as a part of the localization experiment with and without wireless synchronization. They had deactivated all other digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms unlike Kreisman et al [7] study. They reported that wireless synchronization significantly improved Front/Back localization in individuals with hearing loss.…”

“…The differences in the results between the above two studies have been attributed to the differences in the method. Kreisman et al [7] had conducted experiments with all DSP features activated, whereas İbrahim et al [8] had deactivated all advance DSP features. This could have led to no specific benefit from wireless WDRC synchronization in İbrahim et al [8] study.…”

“…Ear to ear synchronization or wireless synchronization technology is a modern technology added to some of the current digital hearing aids. These hearing aids communicate with each other and give binaural information to the brain [7] .…”

“…Kreisman et al [7] studied speech perception in noise in 36 listeners with sensorineural hearing loss with binaural hearing aids with and without wireless synchronization in two different models of hearing aids. All the digital signal processing algorithms were activated in the study.…”

Noise Exposure of School Teachers – Exposure Levels and Health Effects

“…Noise in schools is also a harmful factor that affects the hearing organs of the pupils and teachers and disturb the speech reception and comprehension (Bradley, Sato, 2008 Kreisman et al, 2010). This may cause some irritation of both the teachers and pupils, tiredness, lack of concentration and consequently a deterioration of the teaching and learning processes (Augustynska, Radosz, 2009a; 2009b; Koszarny, 1992;Koszarny, Gorynski, 1990).…”