Evaluation of Speech Perception via the Use of Hearing Loops and Telecoils.

A cross-sectional, experimental, and randomized repeated-measures design study was used to examine the objective and subjective value of telecoil and hearing loop systems. Word recognition and speech perception were tested in 12 older adult hearing aid users using the telecoil and microphone inputs in quiet and noise conditions. Participants were asked to subjectively rate cognitive listening effort and self-confidence for each condition. Significant improvement in speech perception with the telecoil over microphone input in both quiet and noise was found along with significantly less reported cognitive listening effort and high self-confidence. The use of telecoils with hearing aids should be recommended for older adults with hearing loss.

Hearing assistive technology considerations for older individuals with dual sensory loss.

This article focuses on the current state of the science related to audiologic rehabilitation of individuals with dual sensory impairment, with an emphasis on considerations for provision of appropriate hearing assistive technology for this population. A substantial increase in the number of older adults is predicted in the coming years, many of whom will have significant age-related impairments in hearing and vision. Thus, hearing care professionals will be called on increasingly to attend to the special needs of people with dual sensory impairments to ensure maximal quality of life and independence for these individuals. Access to sound is critical for individuals who live with compromises in both vision and hearing. Hearing assistive technology may improve not only their speech perception but also their connection and orientation to the environment, as well as enable greater mobility. Thus, the audiologist's provision of appropriate and carefully selected hearing assistive technology may contribute dramatically to the quality of life of the individual with dual sensory loss. Prefitting, fitting, and postfitting considerations in providing hearing aids and other assistive technology to individuals with dual sensory impairment are reviewed.

Psychosocial correlates of hearing aid adjustment.

Despite considerable evidence regarding the detrimental effects of untreated hearing loss, there continues to be an underutilization of hearing aids by adults. The Long Term Follow-Up of Patients in the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders/Veterans Affairs (NIDCD/VA) Hearing Aid Clinical Trial (Cooperative Studies Program [CSP] 418-A) provided the opportunity to compare a number of potential psychosocial influences and outcomes for hearing aid users and nonusers from the original CSP 418 study. The Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired (CPHI) results provide compelling evidence of hearing aid benefit. Mean Communication Performance (CP) scores for hearing aid users on the Social, Work, and Home scales improved significantly from the original CSP 418 administration. For nonusers, there were no significant CPHI changes from the previous administration. Although hearing aid users and nonusers did not differ in optimism, this parameter was correlated with personal adjustment, measured via the CPHI. Hearing aid use was associated with the perception of major life events, such as illness, retirement, and so forth.

Audiologic management of older adults with hearing loss and compromised cognitive/psychoacoustic auditory processing capabilities.

The number and proportion of older adults in the United States population is increasing, and more clinical audiologists will be called upon to deliver hearing care to the approximately 35% to 50% of them who experience hearing difficulties. In recent years, the characteristics and sources of receptive communication difficulties in older individuals have been investigated by hearing scientists, cognitive psychologists, and audiologists. It is becoming increasingly apparent that cognitive compromises and psychoacoustic auditory processing disorders associated with aging may contribute to communication difficulties in this population. This paper presents an overview of best practices, based on our current knowledge base, for clinical management of older individuals with limitations in cognitive or psychoacoustic auditory processing capabilities, or both, that accompany aging.