ABSTRACT
Psychoacoustic and speech perception measures were compared for a group who were exposed to noise regularly through listening to music via personal music players (PMP) and a control group without such exposure. Lifetime noise exposure, quantified using the NESI questionnaire, averaged ten times higher for the exposed group than for the control group. Audiometric thresholds were similar for the two groups over the conventional frequency range up to 8 kHz, but for higher frequencies, the exposed group had higher thresholds than the control group. Amplitude modulation detection (AMD) thresholds were measured using a 4000-Hz sinusoidal carrier presented in threshold-equalizing noise at 30, 60, and 90 dB sound pressure level (SPL) for modulation frequencies of 8, 16, 32, and 64 Hz. At 90 dB SPL but not at the lower levels, AMD thresholds were significantly higher (worse) for the exposed than for the control group, especially for low modulation frequencies. The exposed group required significantly higher signal-to-noise ratios than the control group to understand sentences in noise. Otoacoustic emissions did not differ for the two groups. It is concluded that listening to music via PMP can have subtle deleterious effects on speech perception, AM detection, and hearing sensitivity over the extended high-frequency range.
Subject(s)
Speech Perception , Speech , Auditory Threshold , Hearing , Noise/adverse effects , Auditory PerceptionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The knowledge and perception of teleaudiology among audiologists will determine the acceptance and success of teleaudiology practice. This systematic review was conducted to review the published literature on knowledge and perceptions of teleaudiology application among audiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five studies exploring knowledge and perceptions of teleaudiology application among audiologists published in the English language up to May 2017 were included. RESULTS: Positive attitudes was observed across the studies regarding acceptance towards application of teleaudiology. The most common sources of knowledge were on the job, graduate studies, and continuing education programs. The major barriers to the uptake of application of teleaudiology were in terms of limitations in infrastructure, reimbursement, and licensure. CONCLUSIONS: The study sheds light on the existing knowledge and perceptions of teleaudiology applications among audiologists. This will help in improving the existing teleaudiology services as well as overcome the challenges faced.
