Bilingualism leads to greater auditory capacity.

Bilingualism leads to greater auditory capacity.

Int J Audiol. 2018 Nov;57(11):831-837

Authors: Motlagh Zadeh L, Jalilvand Karimi L, Silbert NH

Abstract
The objective of this article is to investigate the effects of bilingualism on auditory capacity of young adults using a dichotic consonant-vowel (CV) test. Listeners were asked to identify distinct CVs dichotically presented to each ear through headphones. CV identification accuracy in both ears served as a measure of auditory capacity of listeners. Eighty normal hearing participants including 40 bilinguals (23 males and 17 females) and 40 monolinguals (11 males and 29 females) were used as study sample. Members of the bilingual group acquired their second language before entering elementary school. The bilingual listeners had higher mean both-ear-correct scores than did monolingual listeners, indicating a greater auditory capacity in the bilingual group than in the monolingual group. The finding of greater auditory capacity in bilinguals using a task requiring divided attention reflects greater ability to store and recall auditory information in bilinguals. However, the inconsistency of results across studies of bilingual advantages indicates that there is a need for further research in this area using both linguistic and non-linguistic tasks and considering age of acquisition as a possible moderating variable.

PMID: 30403921 [PubMed - in process]

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Measurement of Thresholds Using Auditory Steady-State Response and Cochlear Microphonics in Children with Auditory Neuropathy.

Measurement of Thresholds Using Auditory Steady-State Response and Cochlear Microphonics in Children with Auditory Neuropathy.

J Am Acad Audiol. 2018 Nov 08;:

Authors: Lu P, Huang Y, Chen WX, Jiang W, Hua NY, Wang Y, Wang B, Xu ZM

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The detection of precise hearing thresholds in infants and children with auditory neuropathy (AN) is challenging with current objective methods, especially in those younger than six months of age.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the thresholds using auditory steady-state response (ASSR) and cochlear microphonics (CM) in children with AN and children with normal hearing.
RESEARCH DESIGN: The thresholds of CM, ASSR, and visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA) tests were recorded; the ASSR and VRA frequencies used were 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz.
STUDY SAMPLE: The participants in this study were 15 children with AN (27 ears) (1-7.6 years, median age 4.1 years) and ten children with normal hearing (20 ears) (1-8 years, median age four years).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The thresholds of the three methods were compared, and histograms were used to represent frequency distributions of threshold differences obtained from the three methods.
RESULTS: In children with normal hearing, the average CM thresholds (84.5 dB) were significantly higher than the VRA thresholds (10.0-10.8 dB); in children with AN, both CM and VRA responses were seen at high signal levels (88.9 dB and 70.6-103.4 dB, respectively). In normal children, the difference between mean VRA and ASSR thresholds ranged from 17.5 to 30.3 dB, which was significantly smaller than the difference seen between the mean CM and VRA thresholds (71.5-72.3 dB). The correlation between VRA and ASSR in children with normal hearing ranged from 0.38 to 0.48, whereas no such correlation was seen in children with AN at any frequency (0.03-0.19).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that ASSR and CM were poor predictors of the conventional behavioral threshold in children with AN.

PMID: 30403957 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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The Effects of Extended Input Dynamic Range on Laboratory and Field-Trial Evaluations in Adult Hearing Aid Users.

The Effects of Extended Input Dynamic Range on Laboratory and Field-Trial Evaluations in Adult Hearing Aid Users.

J Am Acad Audiol. 2018 Nov 08;:

Authors: Plyler PN, Easterday M, Behrens T

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Digital hearing aids using a 16-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) provide a 96-dB input dynamic range. The level at which the ADC peak clips and distorts input signals ranges between 95 and 105 dB SPL. Recent research evaluated the effect of extending the input dynamic range in a commercially available hearing aid. Although the results were promising, several limitations were noted by the authors. Laboratory testing was conducted using recordings from hearing aids set for a flat 50-dB loss; however, field testing was conducted with hearing aids fitted for their hearing loss. In addition, participants rarely encountered input levels of sufficient intensity to adequately test the feature and were unable to directly compare aids with and without extended input dynamic range (EIDR) under identical conditions.
PURPOSE: The effects of EIDR under realistic and repeatable test conditions both within and outside the laboratory setting were evaluated.
RESEARCH DESIGN: A repeated measures design was used. The experiment was single-blinded.
STUDY SAMPLE: Twenty adults (14 males and six females) between the ages of 30 and 71 years (average age 62 years) who were experienced hearing aid users participated.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Each participant was fit with Oticon Opn hearing instruments binaurally using the National Acoustics Laboratory-Nonlinear 1 fitting strategy. Participants completed a two-week trial period using hearing aids with EIDR and a two-week trial period without EIDR. The initial EIDR condition trial period was counterbalanced. After each trial, laboratory evaluations were obtained at 85 dBC using the Connected Speech Test, the Hearing in Noise Test, and the acceptable noise level (ANL). Satisfaction ratings were conducted at 85 dBC using speech in quiet and in noise as well as music. Field-trial evaluations were obtained using the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit (APHAB). Satisfaction ratings were also conducted in the field at 85 dBC using speech and music. After the study, each participant indicated which trial period they preferred overall. Repeated measures analysis of variances were conducted to assess listener performance. Pairwise comparisons were then completed for significant main effects.
RESULTS: In the laboratory, results did not reveal significant differences between EIDR conditions on any speech perception in noise test or any satisfaction rating measurement. In the field, results did not reveal significant differences between the EIDR conditions on the APHAB or on any of the satisfaction rating measurements. Nine participants (45%) preferred the EIDR condition. Fifteen participants (75%) indicated that speech clarity was the most important factor in determining the overall preference. Sixteen participants (80%) preferred the EIDR condition that resulted in the lower ANL.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of EIDR in hearing aids within and outside the laboratory under realistic and repeatable test conditions did not positively or negatively impact performance or preference. Results disagreed with previous findings obtained in the laboratory that suggested EIDR improved performance; however, results agreed with previous findings obtained in the field. Future research may consider the effect of hearing aid experience, input level, and noise acceptance on potential benefit with EIDR.

PMID: 30403956 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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The Relationship between Severity of Hearing Loss and Subjective Tinnitus Loudness among Patients Seen in a Specialist Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Therapy Clinic in UK.

The Relationship between Severity of Hearing Loss and Subjective Tinnitus Loudness among Patients Seen in a Specialist Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Therapy Clinic in UK.

J Am Acad Audiol. 2018 Nov 08;:

Authors: Aazh H, Salvi R

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hearing loss is often associated with the phantom sound of tinnitus. However, the degree of the association between severity of hearing loss and tinnitus loudness taking into account the impact of other variables (e.g., emotional disturbances) is not fully understood. This is an important question for audiologists who are specialized in tinnitus rehabilitation as patients often ask whether the loudness of their tinnitus will increase if their hearing gets worse.
PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between tinnitus loudness and pure tone hearing thresholds.
RESEARCH DESIGN: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study.
STUDY SAMPLE: 445 consecutive patients who attended a Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Therapy Specialist Clinic in UK were included.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The results of audiological tests and self-report questionnaires were gathered retrospectively from the records of the patients. Multiple-regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between tinnitus loudness, hearing loss and other variables.
RESULTS: The regression model showed a significant relationship between the pure tone average (PTA) at the frequencies 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz of the better ear and the tinnitus loudness as measured via visual analogue scale (VAS), r (regression coefficient) = 0.022 (p < 0.001). Other variables significantly associated with tinnitus loudness were tinnitus annoyance (r = 0.49, p < 0.001) and the effect of tinnitus on life (r = 0.09, p = 0.006). The regression model explained 52% of the variance of tinnitus loudness.
CONCLUSIONS: Although increased tinnitus loudness was associated with worse PTA, the relationship was very weak. Tinnitus annoyance and impact of tinnitus on life were more strongly correlated with tinnitus loudness than PTA.

PMID: 30403955 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Measurement of Thresholds Using Auditory Steady-State Response and Cochlear Microphonics in Children with Auditory Neuropathy.

Measurement of Thresholds Using Auditory Steady-State Response and Cochlear Microphonics in Children with Auditory Neuropathy.

J Am Acad Audiol. 2018 Nov 08;:

Authors: Lu P, Huang Y, Chen WX, Jiang W, Hua NY, Wang Y, Wang B, Xu ZM

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The detection of precise hearing thresholds in infants and children with auditory neuropathy (AN) is challenging with current objective methods, especially in those younger than six months of age.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the thresholds using auditory steady-state response (ASSR) and cochlear microphonics (CM) in children with AN and children with normal hearing.
RESEARCH DESIGN: The thresholds of CM, ASSR, and visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA) tests were recorded; the ASSR and VRA frequencies used were 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz.
STUDY SAMPLE: The participants in this study were 15 children with AN (27 ears) (1-7.6 years, median age 4.1 years) and ten children with normal hearing (20 ears) (1-8 years, median age four years).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The thresholds of the three methods were compared, and histograms were used to represent frequency distributions of threshold differences obtained from the three methods.
RESULTS: In children with normal hearing, the average CM thresholds (84.5 dB) were significantly higher than the VRA thresholds (10.0-10.8 dB); in children with AN, both CM and VRA responses were seen at high signal levels (88.9 dB and 70.6-103.4 dB, respectively). In normal children, the difference between mean VRA and ASSR thresholds ranged from 17.5 to 30.3 dB, which was significantly smaller than the difference seen between the mean CM and VRA thresholds (71.5-72.3 dB). The correlation between VRA and ASSR in children with normal hearing ranged from 0.38 to 0.48, whereas no such correlation was seen in children with AN at any frequency (0.03-0.19).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that ASSR and CM were poor predictors of the conventional behavioral threshold in children with AN.

PMID: 30403957 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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The Effects of Extended Input Dynamic Range on Laboratory and Field-Trial Evaluations in Adult Hearing Aid Users.

The Effects of Extended Input Dynamic Range on Laboratory and Field-Trial Evaluations in Adult Hearing Aid Users.

J Am Acad Audiol. 2018 Nov 08;:

Authors: Plyler PN, Easterday M, Behrens T

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Digital hearing aids using a 16-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) provide a 96-dB input dynamic range. The level at which the ADC peak clips and distorts input signals ranges between 95 and 105 dB SPL. Recent research evaluated the effect of extending the input dynamic range in a commercially available hearing aid. Although the results were promising, several limitations were noted by the authors. Laboratory testing was conducted using recordings from hearing aids set for a flat 50-dB loss; however, field testing was conducted with hearing aids fitted for their hearing loss. In addition, participants rarely encountered input levels of sufficient intensity to adequately test the feature and were unable to directly compare aids with and without extended input dynamic range (EIDR) under identical conditions.
PURPOSE: The effects of EIDR under realistic and repeatable test conditions both within and outside the laboratory setting were evaluated.
RESEARCH DESIGN: A repeated measures design was used. The experiment was single-blinded.
STUDY SAMPLE: Twenty adults (14 males and six females) between the ages of 30 and 71 years (average age 62 years) who were experienced hearing aid users participated.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Each participant was fit with Oticon Opn hearing instruments binaurally using the National Acoustics Laboratory-Nonlinear 1 fitting strategy. Participants completed a two-week trial period using hearing aids with EIDR and a two-week trial period without EIDR. The initial EIDR condition trial period was counterbalanced. After each trial, laboratory evaluations were obtained at 85 dBC using the Connected Speech Test, the Hearing in Noise Test, and the acceptable noise level (ANL). Satisfaction ratings were conducted at 85 dBC using speech in quiet and in noise as well as music. Field-trial evaluations were obtained using the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit (APHAB). Satisfaction ratings were also conducted in the field at 85 dBC using speech and music. After the study, each participant indicated which trial period they preferred overall. Repeated measures analysis of variances were conducted to assess listener performance. Pairwise comparisons were then completed for significant main effects.
RESULTS: In the laboratory, results did not reveal significant differences between EIDR conditions on any speech perception in noise test or any satisfaction rating measurement. In the field, results did not reveal significant differences between the EIDR conditions on the APHAB or on any of the satisfaction rating measurements. Nine participants (45%) preferred the EIDR condition. Fifteen participants (75%) indicated that speech clarity was the most important factor in determining the overall preference. Sixteen participants (80%) preferred the EIDR condition that resulted in the lower ANL.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of EIDR in hearing aids within and outside the laboratory under realistic and repeatable test conditions did not positively or negatively impact performance or preference. Results disagreed with previous findings obtained in the laboratory that suggested EIDR improved performance; however, results agreed with previous findings obtained in the field. Future research may consider the effect of hearing aid experience, input level, and noise acceptance on potential benefit with EIDR.

PMID: 30403956 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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The Relationship between Severity of Hearing Loss and Subjective Tinnitus Loudness among Patients Seen in a Specialist Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Therapy Clinic in UK.

The Relationship between Severity of Hearing Loss and Subjective Tinnitus Loudness among Patients Seen in a Specialist Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Therapy Clinic in UK.

J Am Acad Audiol. 2018 Nov 08;:

Authors: Aazh H, Salvi R

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hearing loss is often associated with the phantom sound of tinnitus. However, the degree of the association between severity of hearing loss and tinnitus loudness taking into account the impact of other variables (e.g., emotional disturbances) is not fully understood. This is an important question for audiologists who are specialized in tinnitus rehabilitation as patients often ask whether the loudness of their tinnitus will increase if their hearing gets worse.
PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between tinnitus loudness and pure tone hearing thresholds.
RESEARCH DESIGN: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study.
STUDY SAMPLE: 445 consecutive patients who attended a Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Therapy Specialist Clinic in UK were included.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The results of audiological tests and self-report questionnaires were gathered retrospectively from the records of the patients. Multiple-regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between tinnitus loudness, hearing loss and other variables.
RESULTS: The regression model showed a significant relationship between the pure tone average (PTA) at the frequencies 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz of the better ear and the tinnitus loudness as measured via visual analogue scale (VAS), r (regression coefficient) = 0.022 (p < 0.001). Other variables significantly associated with tinnitus loudness were tinnitus annoyance (r = 0.49, p < 0.001) and the effect of tinnitus on life (r = 0.09, p = 0.006). The regression model explained 52% of the variance of tinnitus loudness.
CONCLUSIONS: Although increased tinnitus loudness was associated with worse PTA, the relationship was very weak. Tinnitus annoyance and impact of tinnitus on life were more strongly correlated with tinnitus loudness than PTA.

PMID: 30403955 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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