Reabilitação auditiva com sistemas Baha® transcutâneo e percutâneo / Hearing rehabilitation with Baha® transcutaneous and percutaneous systems

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar longitudinalmente a influência dos limiares tonais auditivos obtidos com as próteses auditivas ancoradas no osso transcutâneas e percutâneas na percepção da fala em indivíduos com malformação de orelha externa e/ou média e Otite Média Crônica. Método Estudo observacional, retrospectivo, de seguimento longitudinal de 30 indivíduos usuários unilaterais de sistema Baha® transcutâneo e percutâneo, para coleta de dados secundários dos limiares tonais obtidos por meio da audiometria em campo livre e do limiar de reconhecimento de sentenças no silêncio e no ruído nas condições: sem a prótese; no momento de ativação; no primeiro mês de uso (pós 1); e no terceiro mês (pós 2). Resultados Houve diferença significante entre os limiares tonais obtidos nas frequências de 3 e 4kHz, com melhores resultados para o percutâneo em todos os momentos de avaliação. Para os dois sistemas, observou-se melhor desempenho no reconhecimento de sentenças no silêncio e ruído, com diferença significante na ativação (p<0,001), porém manteve-se estável nos demais momentos de avaliação. O sistema percutâneo mostrou melhor benefício no reconhecimento de sentenças no ruído apenas na ativação (p=0,036), quando comparado ao transcutâneo. Conclusão O sistema percutâneo possibilitou melhor audibilidade para as frequências altas; contudo, tal audibilidade não influenciou no reconhecimento de sentenças na situação de silêncio para ambos os sistemas. Para a situação de ruído, melhores respostas foram observadas no sistema percutâneo; porém, a diferença não se manteve no decorrer do tempo.

ABSTRACT Purpose Longitudinally verify the influence of auditory tonal thresholds obtained with transcutaneous and percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aids on speech perception in individuals with external and/or middle ear malformation and chronic otitis media. Methods Observational, retrospective, longitudinal follow-up study of 30 unilateral users of the transcutaneous and percutaneous Baha® system for the collection of secondary data on pure tone thresholds obtained through free field audiometry and sentence recognition threshold in silence and noise in conditions: without the prosthesis; at the time of activation; in the first month of use (post 1); and in the third month (post 2). Results There was a significant difference between pure tone thresholds obtained at frequencies of 3 and 4kHz with better results for the percutaneous technique at all evaluation moments. For both systems, better performance was observed in sentence recognition in silence and in noise, with a significant difference in activation (p<0.001), but it remained stable during the other evaluation moments. The percutaneous system showed better benefit in recognizing sentences in noise only on activation (p=0.036), when compared to the transcutaneous system. Conclusion The percutaneous system provided better audibility for high frequencies; however, such audibility did not influence sentence recognition in the silent situation for both systems. For the noise situation, better responses were observed in the percutaneous system, however, the difference was not maintained over time.

Effects of Obesity on the Auditory Function of Children and Adolescents

Abstract Introduction Childhood and adolescent obesity is associated with insulin resistance, abnormal glucose metabolism, hypertension, dyslipidemia, inflammation, liver disease, and compromised vascular function. Objective We aimed to evaluate the effects of obesity on the auditory function and speech audiometry of children and adolescents. Methods Subjects with a body mass index (BMI) higher than +2 standard deviation (SD) were classified as obese, and subjects with normal BMI SD were classified as the control group. Blood samples were taken for glucose, insulin, and lipid profiles following an 8-hour fasting period, and a hepatobiliary ultrasound was performed. The homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The audiological evaluation included pure-tone audiometry (PTA), speech reception threshold (SRT), and speech discrimination score (SDS). Results The study included 100 children (50 girls) with obesity, with a mean age of 11.4 ± 2.9 years and 30 children with normal body weight, with a mean age of 11.9 ± 3.3 years. Of the children with obesity, 55% (n = 55) were found to have hyperlipidemia, 68% (n = 68) insulin resistance, and 21% (n = 21) hepatosteatosis. There were no statistically significant differences between children with obesity and the control group in terms of SDS or PTA, while SRT was found to be higher in children with obesity. There was no difference between obese children with or without hyperlipidemia, between obese children with or without insulin resistance, and between obese children with or without hepatosteatosis, according to hearing tests. Conclusion The result of the present study indicates that children with obesity are more prone to having auditory problems than the normal population. We recommend more frequent audiological evaluations, including speech audiometry, in children and adolescents with obesity problems

Development of High-performance Hearing Test System / 中国医疗器械杂志

This paper analyzes the shortcomings of the existing pure tone audiometers, and proposes a system to realize pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry with a new DSP processor. The pure tone test signal produced by the system has accurate frequency, high signal-to-noise ratio, and small harmonic distortion. The noise generator that comes with DSP adds a band-pass filter to realize the generation of narrow-band noise. At the same time, due to the modular structure of software design, the system has good ease of use and scalability. The test results show that the hearing test system has excellent performance and can be better used in hearing medical diagnosis.

Índice de inteligibilidade de fala e teste Ling-6 (HL): correlações em escolares usuários de próteses auditivas / Speech Intelligibility Index and the Ling 6(HL) test: correlations in pediatric hearing aid users

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a audibilidade de fala em crianças usuárias de próteses auditivas e correlacionar o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala à detecção de fonemas. Método 22 crianças e adolescentes usuários de próteses auditivas passaram por avaliação audiológica básica, verificação in situ (e consequente obtenção do Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala - SII - para condições com e sem próteses auditivas) e pesquisa dos limiares de detecção para fonemas por meio do teste Ling-6(HL). Resultados O SII médio foi 25,1 sem próteses auditivas e 68,9 com amplificação (p <0,001*). Os limiares de detecção de fonemas em campo livre, em dBNA, foram, sem amplificação /m/=29,9, /u/=29,5, /a/=35,5, /i/=30,8, /∫/=44,2 e /s/=44,9, e com amplificação /m/=13,0, /u/=11,5 /a/=14,3, /i/=15,4, /∫/=20,4 e /s/=23,1 (p <0,001*). Houve correlação negativa entre SII e os limiares de todos os fonemas na condição sem próteses (p≤0,001*) e entre SII e o limiar do /s/ com próteses (p = 0,036*). Conclusão Os limiares de detecção de todos os fonemas são menores do que na condição sem próteses. Há correlação negativa entre SII e os limiares de todos os fonemas na situação sem próteses e entre SII e o limiar de detecção do fonema /s/ na situação com próteses auditivas.

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate speech audibility in schoolchildren hearing aids users and correlate the Speech Intelligibility Index to phonemes detecion. Methods 22 children and adolescents hearing aids users, underwent audiological evaluation, in situ verification (and consequent obtaining the Speech Intelligibility Index - SII - for conditions with and without hearing aids) and detection thresholds for phonemes by Ling-6 (HL) test. Results The average value for the SII was 25.1 without hearing aids and 68.9 with amplification (p <0.001 *). The phoneme detection thresholds in free field, in dBHL, were, without amplification /m/ = 29.9, /u/ = 29.5, /a/ = 35.5, /i/ = 30.8, /∫/ = 44.2 e /s/ = 44.9, and with amplification /m/ = 13.0, /u/ = 11.5 /a/ = 14.3, /i/ = 15.4, /∫/ = 20.4 e /s/ = 23.1 (p<0.001*). There was a negative correlation between SII and the thresholds of all phonemes in the condition without hearing aids (p≤0.001*) and between SII and the /s/ threshold with hearing aids (p = 0.036*). Conclusion The detection thresholds for all phonemes are lower than without hearing aids. There is a negative correlation between SII and the thresholds of all phonemes in the situation without hearing aids and between SII and the detection threshold of the phoneme / s / in the situation with hearing aids.

Prótese auditiva ancorada ao osso percutânea: benefícios auditivos / Percutaneous bone ancored hearing aid: hearing benefits

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever os benefícios nos limiares auditivos e no desempenho de reconhecimento de sentenças no silêncio e no ruído em indivíduos com a adaptação unilateral do Sistema Ponto®. Métodos Estudo observacional, retrospectivo, de seguimento longitudinal. A casuística foi composta por fontes de dados secundários de dez indivíduos com perda auditiva condutiva ou mista, que foram submetidos à cirurgia com o Sistema Ponto®. Os resultados foram analisados nas seguintes condições: a) pré-cirúrgicas: sem AASI; com AASI por condução aérea ou óssea e com o processador Ponto Pro® acoplado a uma banda elástica; b) pós-cirúrgicas: na ativação e após seis meses de uso. Resultados Os limiares da audiometria tonal por conduções aérea e óssea mantiveram-se estáveis após a cirurgia, enquanto os limiares auditivos em campo livre e o reconhecimento de fala no silêncio e no ruído foram estatisticamente melhores na ativação e após seis meses de uso do Sistema Ponto®. Não houve diferença nos resultados com os indivíduos utilizando o Sistema Ponto® com a banda elástica e após a cirurgia. Conclusão O Sistema Ponto® propiciou benefício nas habilidades auditivas de detecção em todas as frequências testadas, assim como no reconhecimento de sentenças no silêncio e no ruído.

ABSTRACT Purpose To describe the benefits in hearing thresholds and sentence recognition performance in silence and noise, in users of the unilateral Ponto® system. Methods An observational, retrospective, longitudinal study. The sample consisted of secondary data sources from 10 individuals with conductive or mixed hearing loss who underwent surgery with the Ponto® System. The results were analyzed in the following pre-surgical conditions (without hearing aids; with hearing aids by air or bone conduction; with the Ponto Pro® processor with a soft band) and post-surgical (on activation and after six months of use). Results The thresholds of pure tone audiometry by air and bone conductions remained stable after surgery, while the auditory thresholds in free field and speech recognition in silence and in noise were statistically better when using the Ponto® system. There was no difference between the results obtained with the individuals using Ponto® with soft band and post-surgically. Conclusion The Ponto® system provided benefits in hearing detection skills in all tested frequencies, as well as, in recognition of the sentence in silence and noise.

A Patient with Hearing Loss Whose Hearing and Communication Ability Improved with Kampo Treatment Combined with Use of Hearing Aids / 日本東洋医学雑誌

The use of hearing aids may not be sufficiently helpful for elderly people with advanced bilateral hearing loss when conversing with others. The patient in this case was an 82-­year­-old man whose main complaint was difficulty in verbal communication with his family despite using hearing aids. He was diagnosed with ad­vanced bilateral sensorineural hearing loss using Western medicine techniques. He was first prescribed the Kampo formulation, ryokeijutsukanto, followed by goshajinkigan. Later, he took a combination of both of these Kampo formulations, and his hearing ability improved. Pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry demonstrated hearing loss ;however, speech audiometry better reflected his improvement in hearing speech sounds after he began taking the Kampo formulations. Thus, in this case, the patient's hearing and communica­tion abilities improved with Kampo formulations combined with the use of hearing aids. In the future, speech audiometry (maximum discrimination score) can be applied to evaluate the efficacy of Kampo treatment for hearing loss.

Reconhecimento de fala e índice de inteligibilidade de fala em usuários de próteses auditivas intra-aurais: um estudo comparativo / Speech recognition and speech intelligibility index in intra-aural hearing aids users: a comparative study

RESUMO Objetivo Comparar o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala e o Índice Percentual de Reconhecimento de Fala (IPRF) obtidos pré e pós-ajustes de acordo com valores prescritos, investigar correlações entre o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala pré e pós-ajustes e investigar correlações entre o IPRF pré e pós-ajustes em usuários de próteses auditivas intra-aurais. Métodos Participaram 20 adultos de 18 a 59 anos, com perda auditiva neurossensorial bilateral de graus moderado e severo. Foram comparados o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala e o IPRF obtidos com próteses auditivas, em dois momentos: com os ajustes até então utilizados (momento pré) e após a regulagem de acordo com os valores prescritos em verificação, com emprego do método NAL-NL1 (momento pós). Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e de testes não paramétricos, com nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados Verificou-se correlação negativa entre o IPRF pré-ajuste e seu Delta pós-pré-ajuste, assim como entre o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala pré-ajuste e seu Delta pós-pré-ajuste. Houve correlação positiva entre o IPRF e o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala pós-ajuste. Conclusão Quanto menores o IPRF e o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala pré-ajuste, maiores suas diferenças, comparando os momentos pré e pós-regulagem. Quanto maior o acesso aos sons de fala, promovido pela regulagem ideal das próteses auditivas, maior o IPRF.

ABSTRACT Purpose To compare the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) and the Word Recognition Score (WRS) in quiet obtained pre and post adjustments according to prescribed values, to investigate correlations between the Speech Intelligibility Index before and after adjustments, and to investigate correlations between pre- and post-adjustment SII in intra-aural hearing aids users. Methods 20 adults participated, aged 18 to 59 years, with moderate or severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. We compared the Speech Intelligibility Index and the WRS obtained with hearing aids in two moments: with the adjustments previously used (pre-adjustment moment) and after modification according to the values prescribed in verification using the NAL-NL1 method (post-adjustment moment). The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests, with a significance level of 0.05. Results There was a negative correlation between the pre-adjustment WRS and its post-pre adjustment difference, as well as between the pre-adjustment Speech Intelligibility Index and its post-pre adjustment Delta. There was a positive correlation between post-adjustment PISR and the SII. Conclusion The lower the pre-adjustment WRS and Speech Intelligibility Index, the greater their differences comparing the pre- and post-adjustment moments. The greater the access to speech sounds, promoted by the ideal regulation of the hearing aids, the higher the WRS.

A Preliminary Work on the Compilation of the Disyllable Vocabulary Lists of Hakka Dialect Speech Audiometry in Huizhou District / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To compile the basic disyllable vocabulary lists of the Hakka dialect speech in the Huizhou region,and basic materials for speech evaluation,according to requirement of speech audiometry and Hakka dialect phonology.Methods Based on the distribution of deaf patients and subareas of Hakka dialect in Guang dong Province,the Meihui dialect was selected as the major target.Meanwhile,several relevant pieces of literature,dictionaries and local chronicles were also studied as the reference in the process.Results A set of disyllable vocabulary,consisting of 5 lists,were compiled.Each list was made up of 40 words,and divided according to the principle of balance,high frequency and universality.The words in the lists were frequently used by local citizens(retelling rate＞91％).An analysis showed that there were strong correlations between each other.However,they were not equivalent,and could not be replaced by each other.Conclusion The compiled vocabulary lists are primarily verified to be suitable for Hakka citizen in the Huizhou region.Further adjustments,revision and research on their equivalence are also required.

An Application of Disyllabic MSTMs for Patients with Presbycusis / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with presbycusis by using disyllabic mandarin speech test materials (MSTMs).Methods A total of 59 subjects (23 men and 36 women) with presbycusis,from 61 to 84 years old with the average as 71.3±6.7.They were divided into three groups:the mild group (10 subjects),the moderate group (35 subjects)and the severe group (14 subjects)according to the pure tone average (PTA) thresholds at 0.5,1,2 and 4 kHz from the better ear.In addition,11 subjects of elderly persons with normal hearing were used as the control group.All the subjects enrolled in this study could speak Mandarin well in their daily lives.Nine lists of disyllabic mandarin speech test materials were utilized to test speech recognition threshold (SRT) and P-I function for these groups respectively.Results The PTA(51.65±11.98)and SRT (50.98±16.05)from presbycusis group were much higher than the control group(PTA 19.55± 4.55,SRT 18.79± 7.45),while the average slope of the P-I function 2.63％/dB from the presbycusis group was lower than the control group 4.65％/dB (P＜0.01).The SRT of male patients (56.54±17.23) was higher than the females(47.99± 15.63) (P＜0.05).The PTA and SRT in these three groups divided by degrees of hearing loss were higher than the control group obviously.The PTA and SRT had significantly increased as the degree of hearing loss increased.The differences among these groups were significant (P＜0.01).The average slope of P-I function of these three groups divided by degrees of hearing loss (mild group:2.47％/dB,moderate group:2.76％/dB,severe group:2.42％/dB) was smaller than the slopes in the control group which was 4.65 ％/dB (P＜0.01).The average slope of P-I function among these groups had no significant difference (P＞0.05).Conclusion The SRT of patients with presbycusis increased and the SRT of male was higher than the females.The average slope of P-I function decreased and the curve moved to right side and became a gradual curve.As hearing loss became more severe,the SRT rose more apparently.

Desempenho de idosos com adaptação binaural x monoaural em testes de fala no silêncio e no ruído / Performance of elderly adults with binaural vs. monaural fitting in speech tests in silence and in noise

OBJETIVO: avaliar o reconhecimento de sentenças no silêncio e no ruído de indivíduos idosos com perdas auditivas simétricas, usuários de próteses auditivas com adaptação mono e binaural; investigar em qual das duas situações pode ser verificado o melhor desempenho em condições que simulam situações de comunicação do dia a dia. MÉTODOS: foram avaliados 27 indivíduos, 20 do gênero masculino e sete do feminino, com idades entre 60 e 80 anos, com perda auditiva neurossensorial de grau leve a moderadamente severo e configuração simétrica. Utilizando o teste Listas de Sentenças em Português, realizou-se a pesquisa dos Limiares de Reconhecimento de Sentenças no Silêncio e no Ruído e Índice Percentual de Reconhecimento de Sentenças no Silêncio e no Ruído, em diferentes situações de escuta, com adaptação binaural e monoaural. RESULTADOS: os valores médios obtidos para os índices no silêncio foram de 80,89% com adaptação binaural, 76,33% com aparelho somente na orelha direita e 71,16% com aparelho somente na orelha esquerda. Já as médias obtidas nos índices no ruído foram 62,05 % com adaptação binaural, 60,52% com aparelho somente na orelha direita e 60,33% com aparelho somente na orelha esquerda. Ao comparar as diferentes condições de escuta, não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante. CONCLUSÃO: não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante entre os idosos usuários de próteses auditivas com adaptação mono e binaural, tanto no silêncio como no ruído. .

PURPOSE: to evaluate sentence recognition in silence and in noise, by elderly individuals with symmetrical hearing loss, hearing aid users with monaural and binaural fitting, and to investigate which of the situations resulted in the best performance under conditions that simulate daily communication situations. METHODS: 27 subjects were evaluated: 20 males and seven females, aged between 60 and 80, with moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss, based on mild and symmetrical configuration. Using the Portuguese Sentence List test, sentence recognition threshold was investigated in quiet and in noise as well as the percentage indexes of sentence recognition in silence and in noise, in different hearing situations, with binaural and monaural fitting. RESULTS: Average values ​​for the indexes in silence were 80.89% with binaural fitting, 76.33% only in the right ear and 71.16% only in the left ear. The averages obtained in the noise levels were 62.05% with binaural fitting, 60.52% only in the right ear and 60.33% only in the left ear. The comparison of the different hearing conditions showed no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference was found among elderly hearing aid users with monaural and binaural fitting, both in silence and in noise. .

Test-retest ReIiabiIity of the Sentence MateriaIs in Mandarin Speech Test MateriaIs / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To evaluate the test -retest reliability of sentence materials, and to standardize Man_darin Speech Test Materials (MSTMs). Methods Forty normal-hearing subjects aged from 18 to 30 years old were recruited in this study. The sentence materials were tested at 9 dB HL to these subjects according to the prepare ex_periment. The retest was carried out in the same condition after an interval of 14~28 days. The difference between test and retest score was examined by t-test, and the critical difference (CD) was analyzed with 95% confidence in_terval (CI). ResuIts There was no significant difference between the test and retest scores about speech perception performance. The critical difference was 18. 93% at 95% confidence interval, and the number of the corresponding key words was 10. ConcIusion The results showed that sentence materials of MSTMs have good test-retest relia_bility except list 6. The interventions could be considered effective just when the difference of the same subject's score exceed 18. 93%, that means 10 key words are necessary to improve that the intervention is effective.

The Preliminary Analysis of the List Equivalency of Disyllabic Materials for Mandarin Speech Perception Test in Cochlear Implant Users / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To evaluate the inter -list equivalency of the disyllabic materials for Mandarin speech perception test (MSP) by measuring the speech recognition score of patients with cochlear implant (CI) .Methods According to Latin -square design ,disyllabic recognition scores (quiet background) were measured for each of the 10 phonemically balanced lists in 50 Mandarin-speaking CI users(aged 30 .44 ± 12 .71 years)in sound field .RM -ANOVA was administered to confirm the list equivalency .Results The sentence recognition scores were 59 .26% ± 23 .49% ,64 .31% ± 23 .35% ,59 .97% ± 23 .07% ,62 .40% ± 25 .16% ,62 .75% ± 24 .47% ,62 .29% ± 23 .55% , 62 .85% ± 24 .60% ,61 .35% ± 23 .73% ,61 .82% ± 25 .28% ,58 .83% ± 25 .13% ,respectively for the 10 lists .There was no significance difference in sentence recognition scores across the 10 disyllabic lists [F(9 ,490)=0 .255 ,P=0 .986>0 .05] .Conclusion The good inter -list equivalency of the disyllabic materials for Mandarin speech perception test (MSP) has been proved to be useful for assessing speech recognition performance of Mandarin -speaking CI users .

Comparison of Speech Audiometry Using KS Word List and Hahm's List in Hearing Impaired Adults / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare speech audiometry test results of the conventional Hahm's list with those of Korean standard word lists for adults (KS-WL-A) using both live voice and compact disc (CD) speech presentation modes. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Eighty patients with sensorineural hearing loss and 23 control subjects with normal hearing participated in the study. Each hearing loss group comprised 20 subjects (mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe hearing loss groups). Speech audiometry was performed to measure the speech recognition threshold (SRT) and word recognition score. KS-WL-A was presented either through a live voice mode or recorded CD materials. Test words from Hahm's list were presented using the live voice mode only. Pure tone audiometry was also conducted for all subjects. RESULTS: Differences between the SRT and pure tone average were within 6 dB in all subgroups in all three stimulation methods, indicating high reliability of the SRT in both the conventional and Korean standard methods. The moderate, moderately severe, and severe hearing loss groups showed lower word recognition scores in the CD mode with KS-WL-A than with the two live voice modes. CONCLUSION: Both the live voice mode and CD mode showed reliable speech audiometry test results in normal and hearing-impaired subjects. Although the CD mode is recommended to standardize test methods and reduce test errors, the live voice mode might be more effective for patients with moderate to severe hearing loss.

Development and Equivalence Evaluation of Mandarin Short Lists of Disyllables / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective Short lists of Mandarin speech test materials (MSTMs) are compiled for clinical appli-cation based on Mandarin phonetic theories .Methods Thirty normal -hearing adults were included in this study , the average age was 23 .5 ± 1 .9 years old .According to phonological theory ,initial vowels and final consonants were classified ,abridged and then merged .Conventional oral words in daily lives were chosen in line with the merged syl-lables .The test lists were digitally recorded onto CDs .Primary equivalent assessment and test -retest reliability was conducted .Results Ten short lists of Mandarin disyllables were compiled on the basis of Chinese phonetic characteristics with 20 disyllables in each list .Twelve vowels were inspected :f ,l ,r ,m ,sh ,t- ,tu- ,ti- ,k- ,ku/o- ,qi- ,qü- ;16 consonants were inspected :e ,ü ,uai/uei and iao/iou ,ie/üe ,ian/üan ,ong/iong ,en/eng ,in/ing .Con-clusion Ten short lists of disyllables have been compiled and digitally recorded with 20 disyllables in each list .Pre-liminary equivalent assessment and test -retest reliability were conducted but it needs further verification in order to make sure whether the short lists can meet the targets .

Comparison of Manual and Automatic Evaluation of Speech Recognition Threshold Using Mandarin Disyllabic Test / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To compare the results of manually -tested speech recognition threshold (SRT ) with automatically software -recorded SRT in the trial of Mandarin disyllabic test ,exploring the significance to the clini-cal applying .Methods 128 normal people of different ages without hearing loss and 57 workers exposed to noise in an automobile manufacturing was selected .These two group of volunteers speak mainly Mandarin in their daily life . MADSEN Conera (Danmark) clinical audiometr was applied .A group of double syllable word list with the same dif-ficulty of equivalence was used as test material .The initial presentation level was 20 dB HL higher than PTA .Then compared the results of manually -tested SRT with automatically software -recorded SRT .Results In the normal group ,the automatic value SRT was 7 .84 ± 3 .98 dB HL ,the manual value was 9 .19 ± 4 .47 dB HL ,and the average value of speech frequency threshold was 7 .63 ± 5 .78 dB HL .In the noise group ,the automatic value SRT was 6 .10 ± 8 .40 dB HL ,the manual value was 18 .81 ± 9 .52 dB HL ,and the average value of language frequency threshold was 27 .18 ± 19 .13 dB HL .There was significant difference between the values of SRT tested manually and recorded automatically (P<0 .01) .Conclusion There are differences between SRT valued manually and automatically .The SRT in people with normal hearing can be tested using automatic -recorded method .This method is convenient for screening in people without hearing loss .To exam in people with hearing loss ,the manual test is more appropriate .

Analysis of Disyllabic Mandarin Speech Test Results of Persons with Noise-induced Hearing Loss / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To analyze the test results of persons with noise -induced hearing loss using disyllabic Mandarin speech test materials (MSTMs) .Methods 57 subjects with noise -induced hearing loss (noise group) were divided into three groups according to the duration of noise exposure :less than 10 years ,between 11 and 20 years and more than 20 years ,and also separated into 2 groups in terms of the degrees of hearing loss (group A :pure tone average thresholds of 0 .5 ,1 ,2 ,and 4 kHz less than or equal to 30 dB HL ,group B:pure tone average threshold of 0 .5 ,1 ,2 ,and 4 kHz greater than 30 dB HL) .66 subjects with normal hearing were in the control group .All the subjects enrolled in this study could speak Mandarin well in their daily life .Nine lists of disyllabic Mandarin speech test materials were utilized to test SRT and P -I function for these groups respectively .Results PTA and SRT in the noise group were much higher than the control group ,the average slope of P -I function was 5 .94% /dB ,and the curve of P-I function moved to the right side .SRT showed obvious changes as the increase of the years of noise exposure and especially in the group which had more than 20 years noise exposure (P<0 .01) . SRT of group B which had more hearing loss were greater than that of group A (P<0 .01) .Conclusion SRTs in the noise group are much higher than the control group with the average slope of P -I functions decreasing and the curve moving to the right side .As the years of noise exposure increase and the degrees of hearing loss become more severe ,SRT rise more apparently .

Reliability of Speech Recognition Threshold Test Using the Korean Standard Bisyllabic Word List for Adults in Comparison with Conventional Hahm's List / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare a newly developed Korean standard bisyllabic word list for adults (KS-BWL-A) against the conventional Hahm's List based on the reliability in speech recognition threshold (SRT) test. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Twelve adults with normal hearing and 11 hearing-impaired patients participated in this study. After excluding 10 words that are common in both lists, 26 bisyllabic words from each list were used for comparison in this study. SRTs were obtained using the modified ascending method. RESULTS: The mean SRTs measured by KS-BWL-A were 1.9 dB lower for the normal hearing group and 2.7 dB lower for the hearing-impaired group than those measured by the conventional Hahm's list with statistical significance (p=0.025 and p=0.045). In both groups, the pure tone averages (PTAs) were highly correlated (correlation coefficient >0.7, p<0.001) with SRTs measured using old and new lists, and the differences between PTA and SRT were within 3 dB for both lists. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that both KS-BWL-A and the conventional list are reliable methods as adult SRT tests and that two lists are not considerably different. However, speech recognition was slightly easier by the new list than it was by the conventional list. Authors propose the KS-BWL-A as a standard word list for SRT measurement in Korea.

Influência do zumbido no índice percentual de reconhecimento de fala em pacientes normo-ouvintes / Influence of tinnitus percentage index of speech recognition in patients with normal hearing

Introdução: A compreensão da fala é um dos aspectos mensuráveis mais importantes da função auditiva humana. O zumbido prejudica a qualidade de vida, prejudicando a comunicação. Objetivo: Investigar possíveis alterações no Índice Percentual de Reconhecimento de Fala (IPRF) em indivíduos portadores de zumbido que apresentem audição normal e analisar a relação entre zumbido, gênero e idade. Método: Estudo retrospectivo, através da análise de prontuários de 82 indivíduos de ambos os gêneros, com idade entre 21 a 70 anos, totalizando 128 orelhas com audição normal. As orelhas foram analisadas separadamente, e divididas em grupo controle, sem queixas de zumbido, e grupo estudo, com queixas de zumbido. Foram analisadas as variáveis gênero e faixa etária dos grupos e verificada a influência do zumbido no IPRF. Considerou-se normal, o percentual de 100% de acertos, e alterado, o valor entre 88 a 96%. Foram adotados estes critérios, já que o percentual inferior a 88% de acertos é encontrado em indivíduos com perdas auditivas neurossensoriais. Resultados: Não se observou diferença estatisticamente significante entre as variáveis faixa etária e zumbido, IPRF e zumbido, somente entre gênero e zumbido. Encontrou-se prevalência de zumbido no gênero feminino (56%), maior ocorrência de zumbido na faixa etária de 31 a 40 anos (41,67%) e menor ocorrência entre 41 a 50 anos (18,75%) e quanto ao IPRF, houve maior percentual de alterado em indivíduos portadores de zumbido (61,11%). Conclusão: O zumbido não interfere no IPRF e não há relação entre zumbido e idade, somente entre zumbido e gênero...

Introduction: The understanding of speech is one of the most important measurable aspects of human auditory function. Tinnitus affects the quality of life, impairing communication. Objective: To investigate possible changes in the Percentage Index of Speech Recognition (SDT) in individuals with tinnitus have normal hearing and examining the relationship between tinnitus, gender and age. Methods: A retrospective study by analyzing the records of 82 individuals of both genders, aged 21-70 years, totaling 128 ears with normal hearing. The ears were analyzed separately, and divided into control group, no complaints of tinnitus and group study, with complaints of tinnitus. The variables gender and age groups and examined the influence of tinnitus in the SDT. It was considered normal, the percentage of 100% correct and changed, and the value between 88-96%. These criteria were adopted, since the percentage below 88% correct is found in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the variables age and tinnitus, and tinnitus SDT, only gender and tinnitus. The prevalence of tinnitus in females (56%), higher incidence of tinnitus in the age group 31-40 years (41.67%) and fewer from 41 to 50 years (18.75%) and on the SDT there was a greater percentage change in individuals with tinnitus (61.11%). Conclusion: The buzz does not interfere with SDT and there is no relationship between tinnitus and age, only between tinnitus and gender...

Development of Compact Disks in Speech Audiometry and First Stage Verification for the New Speech Materials / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To standard test method of Korean speech audiometry, we developed an audio compact disk, the KsoM-07 (Korean Society of Otolaryngolgy, Monosyllabic, 2007) word lists and evaluated them for clinical usage. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The monitored live voice (MLV) of a female talker was digitally recorded with a Beltone audiometer and the GoldWave program. The calibration for each word was done by calculating the root-mean-square (RMS) at the moving time of 300 ms using MATLAB(R) (7.0 version, The MathWorks, Inc. Natick, Massachusetts, USA) and the GoldWave (v 5.25 GoldWave Inc. St. John's, NL, Canada) program. The discrimination score was measured in 20 normal subjects to obtain psychometric function curve of each word and to compare the homogeneity of two lists. The first verification methods for new speech materials were done by comparing the discrimination scores of the flat type and the descending types at 150 sensorineural hearing loss with similar pure tone threshold. RESULTS: 44% of MLV recording was above +/-3 dB deviation and had to be recalibrated. Two lists showed equal difficulty or homogeneity in normal subjects. Discrimination scores were statistically different among the groups with respect to hearing level and the slope of audiogram. CONCLUSION: KsoM-07 word lists were relatively homogeneous and showed differences between the descending type and the flat type of hearing loss. Therefore, KsoM-07 word lists can be useful in evaluating the impairment found in the descending type of sensorineural hearing loss as well as in serving as a new speech test material for Korean monosyllabic words.

Influência do tipo de transdutor na deficiência auditiva de grau profundo / Influence of the type of transducer in profound hearing loss

TEMA: indivíduos com deficiência auditiva de grau profundo podem apresentar respostas por vibração com os fones supra-aurais devido a grande área do crânio exposta à vibração nestes transdutores. OBJETIVO: verificar a influência do tipo de transdutor na obtenção dos limiares auditivos por via aérea em indivíduos com deficiência auditiva neurossensorial de grau profundo. MÉTODO: 50 indivíduos, com idades variando de 16 a 55 anos, foram submetidos a anamnese, meatoscopia, e posteriormente, a audiometria tonal liminar e limiar de detecção de voz (LDV). As audiometrias tonal e vocal foram realizadas tanto com fones supra-aurais TDH-39 quanto com os fones de inserção ER-3A. RESULTADOS: nas audiometrias tonal e vocal, notamos que, com o fone de inserção, foram obtidos limiares auditivos mais elevados do que os obtidos com o fone supra-aural, com significância estatística nas freqüências de 250Hz e 1000Hz. Ao observarmos a diferença entre os resultados obtidos com o transdutor TDH-39 e o ER-3A em cada orelha separadamente, notamos que a diferença foi maior na orelha direita com significância estatística somente na freqüência de 250 Hz. Em relação ao sexo, notamos que as diferenças entre os transdutores foram maiores no sexo masculino com significância estatística na freqüência de 250 Hz. No entanto, no LDV, a diferença maior foi encontrada no sexo feminino. CONCLUSÃO: deficientes auditivos neurossensorias de grau profundo bilateral apresentam limiares de audibilidade mais elevados (piores) com os fones de inserção do que com os fones supra-aurais nas freqüências baixas, evidenciando a existência das respostas por vibração com os fones supra-aurais.

BACKGROUND: individuals with profound hearing loss may present vibrotactile responses when tested with supra-aural earphones due to the large skull area exposed to vibration in these transducers. AIM: to verify the influence of the type of transducer when assessing air conducted pure tone thresholds in individuals with profound sensorineural hearing loss. METHOD: 50 individuals, ranging in age from 16 to 55 years, were submitted to a clinical history questionnaire, meatoscopy, and pure tone and speech audiometry, using both TDH-39 supra-aural earphones and ER-3A insert earphones. RESULTS: in both pure tone and speech testing, thresholds were higher when obtained using insert earphones, with statistical significant differences for 250Hz and 1000Hz. Considering right and left ear testing with the different transducers, this difference was greater for the right ear, with statistical significant differences only for 250 Hz. Regarding gender, it was observed that the difference between the transducers was greater in males, with statistical significant differences for 250 Hz. However, in the SDT (Speech Detection Threshold), the greatest difference was found in females. CONCLUSION: people with bilateral sensorineural profound hearing loss presented higher (worse) thresholds with insert earphones (ER-3A) than with supra aural earphones (TDH-39) for low frequencies (250Hz and 1000Hz), confirming the existence of vibrotactile responses with supra aural earphones.