The aim of this study is to determine the effects of hearing-aid noise reduction on the perception of normal hearing listener, in terms of intelligibility, listening effort, noise annoyance, speech naturalness and overall preference. Secondly, theā¦
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Hearing disorders
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
No registrations found.
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The different outcome measures are speech intelligibility (in terms of words
correct as well as the signal to noise ratio at which 50% is correctly
repeated), listening effort (indicated on a nine-point rating scale), speech
naturalness, noise annoyance and overall preference (all derived from paired
comparison ratings).
Secondary outcome
-
Background summary
One of the main reasons for hearing-aid dissatisfaction is the inability to
understand speech in noisy environments. Therefore, noise reduction is an
important feature implemented in most digital hearing aids. Unfortunately,
details about the properties of noise reduction are rarely provided.
Additionally, there is limited knowledge on the perceptual effects of noise
reduction, such as changes in speech intelligibility, listening effort or
personal preference. As a consequence, clinicians have to find out by trial and
error which are the best noise reduction settings. If, however, more
information would be available about noise reduction and its effects on the
perception of the user, clinicians could actively select the best individual
noise reduction system and setting, which may increase hearing aid
satisfaction.
Study objective
The aim of this study is to determine the effects of hearing-aid noise
reduction on the perception of normal hearing listener, in terms of
intelligibility, listening effort, noise annoyance, speech naturalness and
overall preference. Secondly, the perceptual effects of combining noise
reduction with compression will be investigated.
Study design
The study is an observational study where several kinds of listening tests will
be performed. All measurements take place during two visits of about 2.5 hours.
During the first visit, standard pure tone audiometry will be performed.
Additionally, both visits include an intelligibility measurement, listening
effort ratings and paired comparison ratings.
Study burden and risks
Since this study is observational, the burden for the patients is minimal.
Several tests similar or equal to those done in clinical practice will be done
during the two visits. The possible benefit is high: this research might
finally lead to fitting rules that help clinicians to actively select the best
noise reduction system and setting for individual listeners. Such improved
fitting can be beneficial for the group of hearing impaired, and might also
lead to a shorter time required for optimal fitting, leading to improved
clinical efficiency.
1105 AZ Amsterdam
NL
1105 AZ Amsterdam
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
- Aged 18 years or older
- Moderate sloping sensorineural hearing loss:
o hearing threshold between 40 and 60 dB hearing level at 4 kHz
o air-bone gap <<= 15 dB
o more than 25 dB difference between the maximum and minimum hearing thresholds between 500 and 4000 Hz
- Native speaker of the Dutch language
Exclusion criteria
-Pure tone hearing thresholds do not meet the specified criteria
-Not native speaker Dutch
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
Register | ID |
---|---|
CCMO | NL38384.018.11 |