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Research Article

The speech intelligibility benefit of a unilateral wireless system for hearing-impaired adults

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Pages 905-911 | Received 14 Jan 2010, Accepted 13 Jul 2011, Published online: 20 Sep 2011
 

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: This study measured the effects of two previously untested practical considerations—venting and transmission delays—on speech intelligibility in a simulated unilateral wireless system, where a target signal in background noise was transmitted wirelessly to the hearing-impaired (HI) listener. Design: Speech reception thresholds (SRTs) relative to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were measured by varying the surrounding babble noise level. The target signal was presented at 0° azimuth in the soundfield and unilaterally via an insert earphone, using open and closed fittings with simulated-wireless delays ranging between 0–160 ms. SRTs were also measured unaided and with participants’ current hearing aid(s). Study sample: Thirty-three mild-to-moderate sensorineural HI adults participated in the experiment. Results: For an open fitting, the results showed a 5-dB SNR benefit in SRT compared to unaided performance at shorter delays. For a closed fitting, the majority of participants could accurately recognize speech below − 20 dBSNR across delays. Conclusions: These results highlight the efficacy of wireless systems with HI adults. Speech-intelligibility benefits are affected by transmission delays only when the delay is greater than 40 ms and the coupling is vented.

Sumario

Objetivo: Este estudio midió los efectos de dos condiciones prácticas que no han sido probadas con anterioridad – ventilación y retardos en la transmisión – sobre la inteligibilidad del lenguaje en un sistema unilateral inalámbrico simulado, en el que la señal objetivo en ambiente ruidoso fue transmitida en forma inalámbrica a la persona con hipoacusia (HI). Results: Diseño: Los umbrales de recepción del habla (SRT) relativos al ratio señal/ruido (SNR) fueron medidos variando el nivel de ruidobalbuceante circ undante. La señal objetivo fue presentada a 0° azimut en el campo libre y por medio de un audífono de inserción, utilizando adaptaciones abiertas y cerradas con retardo simulado inalámbrico entre 0 y 160 ms. Los SRT también fueron medidos sin auxiliar y con los auxiliares propios de los participantes. Muestra: Treinta y tres adultos con hipoacusia sensorineural leve a moderada participaron en el experimento. Resultados: Cuando se utiliz la adaptación abierta, los resultados mostraron un beneficio de 5dB en el SRT comparado con el desempe o sin auxiliar con un retardo más corto. Con la adaptación cerrada, la mayoría de los participantes pudieron reconocer acertadamente el lenguaje a − 20 dB SNR en todas las condiciones de retraso. Conclusiones: Estos resultados resaltan la eficacia de los sistemas inalámbricos para los adultos con hipoacusia. Los beneficios en la inteligibilidad del lenguaje son afectados por los retrasos en la transmisión, sólo cuando el retraso es mayor a 40 ms y el molde tiene ventilación.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Michael Valente (associate editor) and two anonymous reviewers for their comments; David McShefferty and Sharon Suller for their assistance in collecting the experimental data, and Dave Moore for advice. The Scottish Section of IHR is supported by intramural funding from the Medical Research Council and the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government. Funding for Mr. Brennan-Jones was provided by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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