RESUMO
Speech audibility may be defined as that proportion of a speech spectrum which is above a person's threshold. To optimize speech audibility with a hearing aid, several measures are needed. These include quantification of a speech spectrum, measures of hearing sensitivity, and measures of the "real ear" gain of the hearing aid. Some procedural factors must be considered to obtain adequate measures in a typical clinical setting. Those considered here are: (1) a modified Articulation Index to quantify a speech spectrum, (2) specification of hearing sensitivity with a narrowband sound field reference where the out-of-band rejection rate of the sound field stimulus is greater than twice the slope of the hearing loss, and (3) use of functional gain (measured directly or estimated using earphone and sound field results provided that the sound field stimulus has the required characteristics for measuring hearing sensitivity in the sound field) as a measure of the real ear gain of the hearing aid. Guidelines are given for the practical measurement of speech audibility in a typical clinical setting. The guidelines are appropriate for all measures of real ear gain including those obtained with all probe tube systems.
Assuntos
Auxiliares de Audição/normas , Percepção da Fala , Audiometria de Tons Puros , Audiometria da Fala , Limiar Auditivo , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/terapia , Humanos , Percepção da Altura Sonora , Acústica da FalaRESUMO
A pilot scheme of domicillary visits to thirty-three rheumatic patients attending either a specialized clinic or general practitioners was undertaken. Patients' understanding of their therapy and compliance with prescribed regimens was assessed, and a comparison made between specialized medical records and actual medications found in the home. A number of cases are discussed in detail to highlight some of the problems uncovered. It is suggested that the visits by pharmacists were sufficiently useful to extend the scheme.
Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide/tratamento farmacológico , Cooperação do Paciente , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Prontuários Médicos , Farmacêuticos , AutomedicaçãoRESUMO
A trial to compare the therapeutic potential of 1200 mg. azapropazone daily with 3.9 g. aspirin daily was carried out in 108 out-patients with rheumatoid arthritis over a 14-day period. Analysis of results from the 85 patients with completed assessment data (49 on azapropazone; 36 on aspirin) showed that azapropazone was better than aspirin from the point of view of pain relief, number of days patients were withdrawn prematurely from the trial, and patient satisfaction with treatment. The differences, however, were not statistically significant. The authors compare the results obtained in this trial with those obtained previously from trials with 13 other antirheumatic drugs using the same method.
