The effect of using integrated signal processing hearing aids on the speech recognition abilities of hearing impaired Arabic-speaking children

Abstract

Background: Integrated signal processing (ISP) uses a coordinated and concerted approach to signal processing so that both wearer and environmental information, along with the intermediate results of each processing unit, are shared among other signal processing units.Aim: The aim of this work was to evaluate the benefits of ISP, if any, in pediatric hearing aid (HA) users.Methods: This study was conducted on 16 Egyptian children with bilateral moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. Children's performance was assessed using their own digital HAs and using newly-fitted ISP HAs. Evaluation was repeated at 1 and 6-month post-ISP HA fitting. Evaluation included aided sound field threshold estimation and speech recognition in noise tests. Parents were asked to fill the WILSI selfassessment-questionnaire.Results and conclusions: Significant improvement in aided sound field threshold levels and speech recognition in noise tests was recorded using ISP HAs over time. As regards consonant manner, glides and stop consonants showed the highest improvement. Though voiced and voiceless consonants were equally transmitted through digital HAs, voiced consonants were easier to perceive using ISP HAs. Middle and back consonants were easier to perceive compared to front consonants using both HAs. Application of WILSI self assessment questionnaire revealed that parents reported better performance in different listening situations. In conclusion, results of the present study support the use of ISP HAs in children with moderate to severe hearing loss due to the significant improvement recorded in both subjective and objective measures.