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Abstract
Transposition of acoustic information from higher to lower frequencies may help people with severe or profound high-frequency hearing loss, especially when a ‘dead region’ is present. Previously, we (Robinson et al, Citation) evaluated the benefit of an FFT-based transposition algorithm in a laboratory study. Although results were promising, we hypothesized that further training and exposure would be needed to gain the full benefit. This was tested here by implementing the algorithm in wearable digital hearing aids. Five subjects with high-frequency dead regions used the aids for five weeks. Performance on the transposing and control conditions was compared objectively using speech tests (vowel-consonant-vowel, ‘s’ detection, and speech in noise) and subjectively using questionnaires. Overall, the results showed no benefit with the transposition even after experience. Subjective preference was generally for the control condition.
| Abbreviations | ||
| ASL | = | Adaptive sentence list |
| DR | = | Dead region |
| fe | = | Edge frequency of dead region |
| FFT | = | Fast Fourier transform |
| HL | = | Hearing level |
| PTC | = | Psychophysical tuning curve |
| RAU | = | Rationalized arcsine units |
| REM | = | Real-ear measurement |
| SNR | = | Signal to noise ratio |
| SPL | = | Sound pressure level |
| SRT | = | Speech reception threshold |
| TEN | = | Threshold equalizing noise |
| ULL | = | Uncomfortable loudness levels |
| VCV | = | Vowel-consonant-vowel nonsense stimuli |
| Abbreviations | ||
| ASL | = | Adaptive sentence list |
| DR | = | Dead region |
| fe | = | Edge frequency of dead region |
| FFT | = | Fast Fourier transform |
| HL | = | Hearing level |
| PTC | = | Psychophysical tuning curve |
| RAU | = | Rationalized arcsine units |
| REM | = | Real-ear measurement |
| SNR | = | Signal to noise ratio |
| SPL | = | Sound pressure level |
| SRT | = | Speech reception threshold |
| TEN | = | Threshold equalizing noise |
| ULL | = | Uncomfortable loudness levels |
| VCV | = | Vowel-consonant-vowel nonsense stimuli |
Abstract
La transposición de la información acústica desde las frecuencias más altas a las más bajas puede ayudar a personas con pérdidas auditivas severas o profundas en las altas frecuencias, especialmente cuando está presente una “región muerta”. Previamente, nosotros (Robinson y col, 2007) evaluamos el beneficio de un algoritmo de transposición basado en FFT en un estudio de laboratorio. Aunque los resultados fueron promisorios, planteamos la hipótesis de que entrenamiento y exposición adicional serían necesarios para obtener el beneficio completo. Esto se evaluó en esta oportunidad implementando el algoritmo en auxiliares auditivos digitales convencionales. Cinco sujetos con regiones muertas en las altas frecuencias usaron estos auxiliares por cinco semanas. El desempeño en las condiciones de transposición y control se comparó objetivamente usando pruebas de lenguaje (vocal-consonante-vocal, detección de la ′s′ y lenguaje en ruido) y en forma subjetivo por medio de cuestionarios. Globalmente, los resultados no mostraron ningún beneficio con la transposición aún después de desarrollar experiencia. La preferencia subjetiva fue generalmente hacia la condición de control.