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1. Subjective and Objective Effects of Fast and Slow Compression on the Perception of Reverberant Speech in Listeners with Hearing Loss (EJ811647)
Author(s):
Shi, Lu-Feng; Doherty, Karen A.
Source:
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, v51 n5 p1328-1340 Oct 2008
Pub Date:
2008-10-00
Pub Type(s):
Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Peer-Reviewed:
Yes
Descriptors: Sentences; Hearing Impairments; Auditory Perception; Assistive Technology; Speech; Auditory Tests
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to assess the effect of fast and slow attack/release times (ATs/RTs) on aided perception of reverberant speech in quiet. Method: Thirty listeners with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss were tested monaurally with a commercial hearing aid programmed in 3 AT/RT settings: linear, fast (AT = 9 ms, RT = 90 ms), and slow (AT = 900 ms, RT = 1,500 ms). Stimuli consisted of 200 low-predictability Speech-Perception-in-Noise sentences, presented at 60 dB SPL at 4 reverberation levels (RT[subscript 60] = 0, 0.6, 1.2, and 3.6 s). Listeners were randomly presented with 12 listening conditions (3 AT/RT settings x 4 reverberation levels). Intelligibility scores and clarity ratings of the sentences were obtained. Results: Aided speech intelligibility and clarity significantly decreased as reverberation increased. Both fast and slow ATs/RTs resulted in significantly higher speech intelligibility than linear, but no significant difference was observed between fast and slow ATs/RTs. Clarity rating was similar across 3 settings; however, rating decreased the fastest with fast AT/RT as reverberation increased. Slow AT/RT resulted in significantly higher real-ear aided response than fast AT/RT and linear, despite the same programmed gain for all settings. Conclusion: Reverberation had a more significant effect on aided speech perception than AT/RT, but fast and slow AT/RT resulted in improved speech intelligibility over linear amplification. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract
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2. The Effects of Background Noise on Dichotic Listening to Consonant-Vowel Syllables (EJ812311)
Sequeira, Sarah Dos Santos; Specht, Karsten; Hamalainen, Heikki; Hugdahl, Kenneth
Brain and Language, v107 n1 p11-15 Oct 2008
Descriptors: Vowels; Human Body; Language Processing; Auditory Tests; Attention; Auditory Stimuli; Listening
Abstract: Lateralization of verbal processing is frequently studied with the dichotic listening technique, yielding a so called right ear advantage (REA) to consonant-vowel (CV) syllables. However, little is known about how background noise affects the REA. To address this issue, we presented CV-syllables either in silence or with traffic background noise vs. "babble". Both "babble" and traffic noise resulted in a smaller REA compared to the silent condition. The traffic noise, moreover, had a significantly greater negative effect on the REA than the "babble", caused both by a decreased right ear response as well as an increased left ear response. The results are discussed in terms of alertness and attentional factors. (Contains 2 figures.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract
3. Simulating the Effects of Spread of Electric Excitation on Musical Tuning and Melody Identification with a Cochlear Implant (EJ819928)
Spahr, Anthony J.; Litvak, Leonid M.; Dorman, Michael F.; Bohanan, Ashley R.; Mishra, Lakshmi N.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, v51 n6 p1599-1606 Dec 2008
2008-12-00
Descriptors: Intervals; Measures (Individuals); Memory; Assistive Technology; Music; Auditory Perception; Auditory Tests; Hearing Impairments; Simulation
Abstract: Purpose: To determine why, in a pilot study, only 1 of 11 cochlear implant listeners was able to reliably identify a frequency-to-electrode map where the intervals of a familiar melody were played on the correct musical scale. The authors sought to validate their method and to assess the effect of pitch strength on musical scale recognition in normal-hearing listeners. Method: Musical notes were generated as either sine waves or spectrally shaped noise bands, with a center frequency equal to that of a desired note and symmetrical (log-scale) reduction in amplitude away from the center frequency. The rate of amplitude reduction was manipulated to vary pitch strength of the notes and to simulate different degrees of current spread. The effect of the simulated degree of current spread was assessed on tasks of musical tuning/scaling, melody recognition, and frequency discrimination. Results: Normal-hearing listeners could accurately and reliably identify the appropriate musical scale when stimuli were sine waves or steeply sloping noise bands. Simulating greater current spread degraded performance on all tasks. Conclusions: Cochlear implant listeners with an auditory memory of a familiar melody could likely identify an appropriate frequency-to-electrode map but only in cases where the pitch strength of the electrically produced notes is very high. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract
4. Noise Levels during Aerobics and the Potential Effects on Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (EJ808593)
Torre, Peter, III; Howell, Jennifer C.
Journal of Communication Disorders, v41 n6 p501-511 Nov-Dec 2008
2008-00-00
Descriptors: Exercise; Hearing Impairments; Statistical Significance; Acoustics; Questionnaires; Auditory Tests
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure noise levels during aerobics classes and to examine how outer hair cell (OHC) function, using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), may be affected by this exposure. Fifty individuals (48 women and 2 men, ages 19-41 years) participated in 50-min aerobics classes. Noise levels were measured using noise dosimeters placed on the collar near the test ear. The audiometric protocol consisted of a questionnaire, otoscopy, screening tympanometry, and pre- and post-aerobics DPOAEs. The minute-by-minute peak noise levels varied between 90.5 and 99.7 dBA. The overall mean noise level for the aerobics classes was 87.1 dBA (range=83.4-90.7 dBA). Mean post-aerobic DPOAE levels were lower at most frequencies with a statistically significant 1.4 dB decrease at 6000 Hz. Results of this project, even with limited statistical significance, should be viewed cautiously. Learning outcomes: The reader will be able to (1) identify the approximate dB SPL measured during aerobics classes, (2) describe what effects, if any, these levels had on DPOAEs, and (3) discuss what specific frequency had a significant decrease in DPOAE level after an aerobics class. (Contains 1 table and 2 figures.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract
5. High Prevalence of Hearing Disorders at the Special Olympics Indicate Need to Screen Persons with Intellectual Disability (EJ794445)
Hild, U.; Hey, C.; Baumann, U.; Montgomery, J.; Euler, H. A.; Neumann, K.
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, v52 n6 p520-528 Jun 2008
2008-06-00
Descriptors: Incidence; Hearing Impairments; Athletes; Mental Retardation; Screening Tests; Diagnostic Tests; Correlation; Test Reliability; Auditory Tests; Foreign Countries; Athletics
Abstract: Background: Persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at increased risk for hearing impairment which often remains undetected. If left untreated, such hearing impairments may worsen the social and communicative problems of these persons. The aims of this study are to determine the prevalence of hearing impairment, to specify type and degree of hearing loss, and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the screening in this population. Methods: During the German Special Olympics Summer Games 2006, 552 athletes with ID had their hearing screened according to the international protocol of Healthy Hearing, Special Olympics. This screening protocol includes otoscopy, measurement of distortion product otoacoustic emissions, and, if necessary, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry (PTA) screening at 2 and 4 kHz. Additionally, 195 athletes underwent a full diagnostic PTA. The results of the screening and diagnostic PTA were compared. Results: Of the 524 athletes who completed the screening protocol, 76% passed and 24% failed it. Ear wax was removed in 48% of all athletes. 42% of the athletes were recommended to consult an otolaryngologist or an acoustician. Of the 99 athletes whose screening-based suspicion of a hearing loss was confirmed with diagnostic PTA, 74 had an undetected hearing loss. The correlation (Cramer's V) between screening and diagnostic PTA was .98. The sensitivity of the screening was 100% and the specificity 98%. Discussion: The screening reliably detects hearing disorders among persons with ID. The prevalence of hearing impairment in this population is considerably higher than in the general population, and the proportion of undetected hearing impairments is large, even among people with only mild and moderate ID, as examined in this study. Therefore, a screening is highly recommended, and special attention from caregivers and professionals as well as regular hearing assessment and standard therapy programmes are required for persons with ID. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract
6. Head Angle and Elevation in Classroom Environments: Implications for Amplification (EJ789714)
Ricketts, Todd Andrew; Galster, Jason
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, v51 n2 p516-525 Apr 2008
2008-04-00
Descriptors: Hearing (Physiology); Hearing Impairments; Classroom Environment; Auditory Tests; Auditory Evaluation; Audiology; Auditory Perception; Attention Control; Perceptual Impairments; Perceptual Motor Coordination; Perceptual Development
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine children's head orientation relative to the arrival angle of competing signals and the sound source of interest in actual school settings. These data were gathered to provide information relative to the potential for directional benefit. Method: Forty children, 4-17 years of age, with and without hearing loss, completed the study. Deviation in head angle and elevation relative to the direction of sound sources of interest were measured in 40 school environments. Measurements were made on the basis of physical data and videotapes from 3 cameras placed within each classroom. Results: The results revealed similarly accurate head orientation across children with and without hearing loss when focusing on the 33% proportion of time in which children were most accurate. Orientation accuracy was not affected by age. The data also revealed that children with hearing loss were significantly more likely to orient toward brief utterances made by secondary talkers than were children with normal hearing. Conclusions: These data are consistent with the hypothesized association between hearing loss and increased visual monitoring. In addition, these results suggest that age does not limit the potential for signal-to-noise improvements from directivity-based interventions in noisy environments. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract
7. Comparison of Word-, Sentence-, and Phoneme-Based Training Strategies in Improving the Perception of Spectrally Distorted Speech (EJ789712)
Stacey, Paula C.; Summerfield, A. Quentin
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, v51 n2 p526-538 Apr 2008
Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Descriptors: Sentences; Syllables; Phonemes; Hearing Impairments; Auditory Training; Auditory Perception; Assistive Technology; Adults; Vowels; Comparative Analysis; Auditory Discrimination; Auditory Tests
Abstract: Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of 3 self-administered strategies for auditory training that might improve speech perception by adult users of cochlear implants. The strategies are based, respectively, on discriminating isolated words, words in sentences, and phonemes in nonsense syllables. Method: Participants were 18 normal-hearing adults who listened to speech processed by a noise-excited vocoder to simulate the information provided by a cochlear implant. They were assigned randomly to word-, sentence-, or phoneme-based training and underwent 9 training sessions (20 min each) on separate days over a 2- to 3-week period. The effectiveness of training was assessed as the improvement in accuracy of discriminating vowels and consonants, as well as identifying words in sentences, relative to participants' best performance in repeated tests prior to training. Results: Word- and sentence-based training led to significant improvements in the ability to identify words in sentences that were significantly larger than the improvements produced by phoneme-based training. There were no significant differences between the effectiveness of word- and sentence-based training. No significant improvements in consonant or vowel discrimination were found for the sentence- or phoneme-based training groups, but some improvements were found for the word-based training group. Conclusion: The word- and sentence-based training strategies were more effective than the phoneme-based strategy at improving the perception of spectrally distorted speech. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract
8. Contralateral Suppression of Linear and Nonlinear Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in Neonates at Risk for Hearing Loss (EJ781394)
Durante, Alessandra Spada; Carvallo, Renata Mota Mamede
Journal of Communication Disorders, v41 n1 p70-83 Jan-Feb 2008
Descriptors: Control Groups; Stimulation; Hearing (Physiology); Hearing Impairments; Neonates; Acoustics; Auditory Stimuli; Auditory Tests
Abstract: To investigate the transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) contralateral suppression in neonates at risk for hearing loss, 55 neonates at risk for hearing loss (risk group) and 72 full-term neonates not at such risk (control group) were bilaterally tested. In all neonates, the TEOAE were recorded in two stimulation modes (linear and nonlinear clicks), with and without contralateral acoustic stimulation. Findings revealed significant contralateral suppression of otoacoustic emissions in both groups, but the amount of TEOAE contralateral suppression was reduced for at risk group (p = 0.001), supporting the hypothesis that medial olivocochlear bundle function is reduced in neonates at risk for hearing loss. The combination of contralateral acoustic stimulation and TEOAE enables easy and noninvasive study of auditory efferent function. However it should be emphasized that the reduction in TEOAE contralateral suppression in the risk group, statistically identified as a group effect, might not be detectable in individual cases. Further studies are needed in order to determine whether the lower amount of TEOAE contralateral suppression in neonates at risk for hearing loss represents a risk for developing auditory processing disorders. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract
9. Early Middle Ear Effusion and Language at Age Seven (EJ781380)
Johnson, Dale L.; McCormick, David P.; Baldwin, Constance D.
Journal of Communication Disorders, v41 n1 p20-32 Jan-Feb 2008
Descriptors: Sentences; Speech Tests; Children; Family Environment; Language Acquisition; Articulation (Speech); Phonology; Language Tests; Control Groups; Socioeconomic Status; Hearing (Physiology); Auditory Tests; Diseases
Abstract: This study examined the relation of middle ear effusion (MEE) in the first 3 years of life to language outcomes at age seven. It was hypothesized, on the basis of a literature review, that (1) a low, but positive relation between early MEE and language measures in general will be observed at age seven, and (2) major effects will be demonstrated for measures of articulation and phonological sensitivity. MEE was assessed as days with bilateral MEE and episodes of MEE. Three measures of language status were used: the Test of Auditory Analysis Skill (TAAS [Rosner, J. (1975). "TAAS: Test of Auditory Analysis Skill." Novato, CA: Academic Therapy Publications]), Goldman-Fristoe Articulation Test, Sounds in Words and Sounds in Sentences (GFAT [Goldman, R., & Fristoe, M. (1986). "Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation." Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service]), and the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-revised (CELF-R [Semel, E. M., Wiig, E. H., & Secord, W. (1987). "CELF: Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-Revised." New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich]). The sample included 179 children who were heterogeneous for SES and ethnicity. There were no significant correlations for MEE and language measures. These negative results were sustained when multiple regression was used with controls for socioeconomic status and quality of the home environment. Learning outcomes: We conclude that early MEE may not pose a threat to language development in the early school years. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract
10. Auditory-Visual Integration for Speech by Children with and without Specific Language Impairment (EJ780606)
Norrix, Linda W.; Plante, Elena; Vance, Rebecca; Boliek, Carol A.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, v50 n6 p1639-1651 Dec 2007
2007-12-00
Descriptors: Language Impairments; Preschool Children; Auditory Perception; Speech Communication; Sensory Integration; Phonemes; Auditory Tests; Vision Tests; Visual Aids
Abstract: Purpose: It has long been known that children with specific language impairment (SLI) can demonstrate difficulty with auditory speech perception. However, speech perception can also involve the integration of both auditory and visual articulatory information. Method: Fifty-six preschool children, half with and half without SLI, were studied in order to examine auditory-visual integration. Children watched and listened to video clips of a woman speaking [bi] and [gi]. They also listened to audio clips of [bi], [di], and [gi], produced by the same woman. The effect of visual input on speech perception was tested by presenting an auditory [bi] combined with a visually articulated [gi], which tends to alter the phoneme percept (the McGurk effect). Results: Both groups of children performed at ceiling when asked to identify speech tokens in auditory-only and congruent auditory-visual modalities. In the incongruent auditory-visual condition, a stronger McGurk effect was found for the normal language group compared with the children with SLI. Conclusion: Responses by the children with SLI indicated less impact of visual processing on speech perception than was seen with their normal peers. These results demonstrate that the difficulties with speech perception by SLI children extend beyond the auditory-only modality to include auditory-visual processing as well. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract
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