Speech Recognition in Noise of the Unilateral Conductive or Mixed Hearing Impaired Patients using Sophonotron Bone Conduction Hearing Aid with Softband / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To investigate the speech recognition in noise in patients with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing impaired using Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband.Methods A total of 12 patients (12 ears) with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss participated in the survey and fitted with Sophonotron Alpha 2.The aided hearing threshold test and speech recognition test in noise were evaluated in both unaided and aided conditions.Results The average aided hearing threshold using Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband was 35.0±10.8 dB HL,showing significant improvement compared to that of unaided(P＜0.05).The average signal-to noise ratio loss was 5.9± 6.1 dB using Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband in noise,showing a more significant benefit than that of the unaided (13.6±10.9 dB).Conclusion The Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband can significantly improve speech recognition in noise for the patients with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Speech Recognition in Real-Life Background Noise by Young and Middle-Aged Adults with Normal Hearing

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: People usually converse in real-life background noise. They experience more difficulty understanding speech in noise than in a quiet environment. The present study investigated how speech recognition in real-life background noise is affected by the type of noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and age. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighteen young adults and fifteen middle-aged adults with normal hearing participated in the present study. Three types of noise [subway noise, vacuum noise, and multi-talker babble (MTB)] were presented via a loudspeaker at three SNRs of 5 dB, 0 dB, and -5 dB. Speech recognition was analyzed using the word recognition score. RESULTS: 1) Speech recognition in subway noise was the greatest in comparison to vacuum noise and MTB, 2) at the SNR of -5 dB, speech recognition was greater in subway noise than vacuum noise and in vacuum noise than MTB while at the SNRs of 0 and 5 dB, it was greater in subway noise than both vacuum noise and MTB and there was no difference between vacuum noise and MTB, 3) speech recognition decreased as the SNR decreased, and 4) young adults showed better speech recognition performance in all types of noises at all SNRs than middle-aged adults. CONCLUSIONS: Speech recognition in real-life background noise was affected by the type of noise, SNR, and age. The results suggest that the frequency distribution, amplitude fluctuation, informational masking, and cognition may be important underlying factors determining speech recognition performance in noise.

Evaluation of the ClearVoice Strategy in Adults Using HiResolution Fidelity 120 Sound Processing

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of ClearVoice strategy on speech perception in noise and in everyday listening situations in Cantonese-speaking cochlear implant users. METHODS: Twelve experienced adult users of the Harmony implant and HiRes 120 sound processing participated in the study. The study employed a prospective within-subjects design wherein speech recognition in adults using HiRes 120 without ClearVoice turned on (control option) was compared to their performance with HiRes 120 with ClearVoice turned on. Each subject was evaluated with two different ClearVoice gain settings: -12 dB (ClearVoice medium) and -18 dB (ClearVoice high) after one-week of use. The Cantonese hearing in noise test and a questionnaire were used as the outcome measures. RESULTS: Subjects performed significantly better with ClearVoice medium than with control option in noise. No significant difference in performance was noted among the 3 settings in quiet. Most subjects reported high level of satisfaction with ClearVoice in daily listening situations and preferred to keep ClearVoice on. CONCLUSION: ClearVoice can help cochlear implant recipients to hear better in noise.