February 2005 - Volume 26 - Issue 1 : Ear and Hearing

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February 2005 - Volume 26 - Issue 1

pp: 1-107

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Article

Longitudinal Study of Pure-Tone Thresholds in Older Persons

Lee, Fu-Shing; Matthews, Lois J.; Dubno, Judy R.; More

Lee, Fu-Shing; Matthews, Lois J.; Dubno, Judy R.; Mills, John H. Less

Ear and Hearing. 26(1):1-11, February 2005.

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This study examined the longitudinal changes in pure-tone thresholds at 0.25 to 18 kHz for 188 human subjects aged 60 yr and older. Subjects had between 2 and 21 visits over a period of 3 to 11.5 yr. Average rate of change in thresholds was 0.7 dB/yr at 0.25 kHz, increasing gradually to 1.2 dB/yr at 8 kHz and 1.23 dB/yr at 12 kHz. Initial thresholds had a significant effect on the rate of threshold change. For 0.25 to 2 kHz, subjects with more hearing loss at higher frequencies had a faster rate of decline at these frequencies. For 6 to 8 kHz, subjects with more hearing loss at mid and high frequencies had a slower rate of decline at these frequencies. Age and gender also had significant effects on the rate of threshold change at certain frequencies. Noise history had a significant effect on the threshold levels, but did not have a significant effect on the rate of threshold change.

Who Wants a Hearing Aid? Personality Profiles of Hearing Aid Seekers

Cox, Robyn M.; Alexander, Genevieve C.; Gray, Ginger A.

Cox, Robyn M.; Alexander, Genevieve C.; Gray, Ginger A. Less

Ear and Hearing. 26(1):12-26, February 2005.

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This paper examines the personality characteristics of typical hearing aid candidates in an attempt to determine whether people who seek hearing aids are systematically different from the general population. Hearing aid seekers were sampled from the private practice (PP) sector and from a publicly funded hospital-based (VA) system. Self-report data were obtained from 230 older adults with mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Subjects completed a personality questionnaire (NEO-FFI) and surveys determining locus of control and coping strategies. Results indicate that people who seek amplification are not simply a random sample of the general population. Hearing aid seekers tend to be more pragmatic and might be less likely to use novel approaches to solve their hearing problems. Significant differences also were seen between PP and VA patients. These differences suggest a need to improve the public image of hearing health care. They also suggest that PP and VA patients may benefit from different rehabilitative approaches.

Measuring the Real-Ear to Coupler Difference Transfer Function With an Insert Earphone and a Hearing Instrument: Are They the Same?

Munro, Kevin J.; Toal, Sinead

Munro, Kevin J.; Toal, Sinead Less

Ear and Hearing. 26(1):27-34, February 2005.

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The real-ear-to-coupler difference (RECD) is normally measured using an insert earphone. The assumption is that the RECD can be applied to a coupler measurement performed with a hearing instrument in order to derive real-ear SPL. The present study compared the RECD obtained with examples of hearing instruments and the ER-3A insert earphone. The results show that the RECD is dependent on the measurement transducer. The SPL developed in a coupler or an ear canal depends on the acoustic impedance of the cavity, the coupling system, and the sound source. Therefore, the RECD measured with an insert earphone may not always accurately represent the difference in performance of a hearing instrument in the real ear and the 2-cc coupler.

Effects of Three Amplification Strategies on Speech Perception by Children With Severe and Profound Hearing Loss

Marriage, Josephine E.; Moore, Brian C. J.; Stone, Michael A.; More

Marriage, Josephine E.; Moore, Brian C. J.; Stone, Michael A.; Baer, Thomas Less

Ear and Hearing. 26(1):35-47, February 2005.

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Children with severe and profound sensorineural hearing losses have typically been fitted with linear amplification. The use of compression amplification can increase audibility of the speech spectrum but increased distortion in the temporal envelope may offset any benefits in performance. In this study, 15 children were fitted with three different amplification strategies using linear, output compression, and wide-dynamic range compression (WDRC) conditions in counterbalanced order. Results from closed-set speech discrimination testing show significant benefit for WDRC over the other two algorithms for the profoundly impaired children. These and other test results indicate that WDRC may lead to better performance, and never led to poorer performance. It appears that it is safe to use well-designed WDRC for children with severe and profound hearing loss.

Reception of Environmental Sounds Through Cochlear Implants

Reed, Charlotte M.; Delhorne, Lorraine A.

Reed, Charlotte M.; Delhorne, Lorraine A. Less

Ear and Hearing. 26(1):48-61, February 2005.

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Environmental sound reception was studied in 11 subjects with cochlear implants using an identification test employing closed sets of ten sounds in four different environmental settings. Performance on the identification task (which was similar across the four stimulus sets) varied substantially across subjects. Mean scores ranged from 45 to 94% correct across the 11 subjects. Performance on the environmental sound identification test was roughly related to monosyllabic word recognition ability. Specifically, those subjects with NU-6 word scores greater than 34% correct performed at levels of 80 to 94% correct on the environmental sound test, while subjects with word scores less than 34% had environmental sound scores in the range of 45 to 75%. An analysis of confusion patterns indicated that temporal envelope cues appeared to distinguish those stimuli that were most perceptually salient. These results suggest the usefulness of a clinical screening test for environmental sound recognition.

Audiometric Threshold Shift Definitions: Simulations and Suggestions

Dobie, Robert A.

Dobie, Robert A. Less

Ear and Hearing. 26(1):62-77, February 2005.

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Audiometric monitoring programs for noise-exposed workers (as well as patients receiving ototoxic drugs) need definitions of significant threshold shift (STS) that maximize true positives (TPs) while minimizing false positives (FPs). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recently recommended that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) change its STS definition. This recommendation was based on studies that defined TPs and FPs using a validation method that, according to the simulation experiments reported in this paper, has systematic biases that were not taken into account. Thus, available evidence does not support the change recommended by NIOSH. Methodological recommendations are made for future research that could determine whether a change in the OSHA STS definition is appropriate.

Development of Auditory Temporal Resolution in School-Age Children Revealed by Word Recognition in Continuous and Interrupted Noise

Stuart, Andrew

Stuart, Andrew Less

Ear and Hearing. 26(1):78-88, February 2005.

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The development of auditory temporal resolution in normal hearing school-age children was examined through word recognition performance in spectrally identical continuous and interrupted noise. Eighty normal-hearing children, aged 6 to 15 yr, and 16 normal-hearing young adults participated. NU-CHIPs stimuli were presented in quiet and in both noises at signal-to-noise ratios (S/Ns) of 10, 0, -10, and -20 dB. Younger listeners did not experience an equivalent perceptual advantage (i.e., a release from masking) in the interrupted noise at poorer S/Ns (i.e., < 10 dB). Further, they required more favorable S/Ns to perform the same as the adult participants. Children's performance equated that of adult levels in quiet and noise after 7 and 11 yr of age, respectively. Changes in word recognition performance across age groups seems to proceed with the same long developmental time course in both continuous and interrupted noise. It was speculated that these changes reflect maturation in the central auditory system.

Results From the Dutch Speech-in-Noise Screening Test by Telephone

Smits, Cas; Houtgast, Tammo

Smits, Cas; Houtgast, Tammo Less

Ear and Hearing. 26(1):89-95, February 2005.

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The objective of the study was to implement a previously developed automatic speech-in-noise screening test by telephone, introduce it nationwide as a self-test, and to analyze the results. The test measures the speech reception threshold in noise in an adaptive procedure using digit triplets as speech material. The test result is given as good, insufficient, or poor. In the first 4 mo, 65,924 people took the initiative and dialed the test. Seventy-five percent of the callers were older than 44 yr of age. Starting at about 45 yr of age, there was an increase in SRTTn with increasing age. Mean measurement error was within 1 dB. The study shows the successful implementation and some results from the test. The test can be done in about 3minutes, 30sec, including introductory text, explanation of the test procedure, test result, and recommendation for audiological evaluation. The high number of callers implies that the test is probably fulfilling the need for a functionalhearing screening test and has enhanced public awareness about hearing loss.

Reversed Ipsilateral Acoustic Reflex: A Study on Subjects Treated With Muscle Relaxants

Ciardo, Alberto; Garavello, Werner; Leva, Marina; More

Ciardo, Alberto; Garavello, Werner; Leva, Marina; Graziano, Bruno; Gaini, Renato Maria Less

Ear and Hearing. 26(1):96-103, February 2005.

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The reversed ipsilateral acoustic reflex (RIAR) is an apparent admittance increase that can be measured in ears lacking a normal stapedial reflex after ipsilateral acoustic stimulation with high intensity sounds. Its genesis is unclear and, among the possible mechanisms that have been previously suggested, the involvement of a reflex contraction of the tensor tympani muscle still needs to be verified. Our present study evaluates the effect of intravenous administration of muscle relaxants on the RIAR of three otosclerotic ears as well as on the ipsilateral acoustic reflex of 14 individuals with normal middle ear function. It is shown that the RIAR of otosclerotic patients is not inhibited by muscle relaxants. On the other hand, these drugs can induce the appearance of a reversed reflex, analogous to the RIAR, in all the individuals with normal middle ear function. The present data suggest that the RIAR is not related to tympanic muscle contraction.

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Resource Reviews

Auditory Interactivities

Krause, Jean C.

Krause, Jean C. Less

Ear and Hearing. 26(1):104-105, February 2005.

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A new Windows-based software package from Sensimetrics Corporation is reviewed in this issue. According to Jean Krause, Auditory Interactives is a valuable teaching tool for instructors of hearing science and psychoacoustics. As the title implies, it is an interactive resource designed for self-paced learning that can be used in and out of the classroom.

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Acknowledgment of Peer Reviewers

Acknowledgment of Peer-Reviewers

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Ear and Hearing. 26(1):106-107, February 2005.

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Table of Contents Sections

Article
Resource Reviews
Acknowledgment of Peer Reviewers

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Article

Longitudinal Study of Pure-Tone Thresholds in Older Persons

In Brief:

Who Wants a Hearing Aid? Personality Profiles of Hearing Aid Seekers

In Brief:

Measuring the Real-Ear to Coupler Difference Transfer Function With an Insert Earphone and a Hearing Instrument: Are They the Same?

In Brief:

Effects of Three Amplification Strategies on Speech Perception by Children With Severe and Profound Hearing Loss

In Brief:

Reception of Environmental Sounds Through Cochlear Implants

In Brief:

Audiometric Threshold Shift Definitions: Simulations and Suggestions

In Brief:

Development of Auditory Temporal Resolution in School-Age Children Revealed by Word Recognition in Continuous and Interrupted Noise

In Brief:

Results From the Dutch Speech-in-Noise Screening Test by Telephone

In Brief:

Reversed Ipsilateral Acoustic Reflex: A Study on Subjects Treated With Muscle Relaxants

In Brief:

Resource Reviews

Auditory Interactivities

In Brief:

Acknowledgment of Peer Reviewers

Acknowledgment of Peer-Reviewers