This study is designed to clarify how hearing ability and other individual differences influence the preference for a specific noise reduction strength. We will concentrate on the trade-off between residual noise and speech distortion * which is…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Hearing disorders
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The main outcome measures are the detection threshold for speech distortion and
preference for different degrees of noise reduction. We will look for relations
between those measures and other audiological characteristics (pure tone
threshold, acceptable noise level, frequency resolution, temporal acuity, or
speech intelligibility).
Secondary outcome
-
Background summary
One of the main reasons for hearing aid dissatisfaction is the inability to
hear well in noisy environments. For that reason, most hearing aids currently
marketed have a noise reduction algorithm that should make listening in noisy
environments less effortful and more comfortable. Unfortunately, there are no
general rules for the adjustment of noise reduction settings in hearing aids,
so that clinicians have to find the best noise reduction settings for an
individual listener by the method of trial and error. Available research on the
perceptual effects of noise reduction concentrate on group results, not taking
fully into account the possible influences of hearing loss and of differences
between individuals. The aim of this research is to improve rehabilitation by
optimizing noise reduction for an individual hearing aid user. To achieve this
we will focus on individual preferences for the trade-off of two major aspects
of noise reduction, namely the amount of residual noise and the speech
distortion caused by the noise reduction algorithm. Since the preference might
be influenced by hearing loss, we will specifically take into account relevant
characteristics of the individual hearing loss.*
Study objective
This study is designed to clarify how hearing ability and other individual
differences influence the preference for a specific noise reduction strength.
We will concentrate on the trade-off between residual noise and speech
distortion * which is inherent in noise reduction * to systematically study
listeners* preference.
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.
Several tests will be done to characterise the hearing acuity of the subjects.
Additionally, detection experiments, intelligibility tests and prefrence rating
will be performed.
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. This study forms an important step towards the goal of
being able to tailor the noise reduction to the personal requirements and
preferences of an individual user. Furthermore, it provides an essential base
for further research into the effects of noise reduction in hearing aids.
Meibergdreef 9
1105 AZ Amsterdam
NL
Meibergdreef 9
1105 AZ Amsterdam
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
- Aged 18 years or older
- Native speaker of the Dutch language;- Normal hearing subjects:
o hearing thresholds of 20 dB hearing level or better for all octave frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz
- Subjects with mild to moderate flat sensorineural hearing loss:
o hearing threshold between 40 and 60 dB hearing level at 4 kHz
o air-bone gap * 15 dB
o no more than 25 dB difference between the maximum and minimum hearing thresholds between 500 and 4000 Hz
- Subjects with mild to 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
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 | NL38385.018.11 |