Bilateral bone conduction stimulation provides reliable binaural cues for localization

Snapp, Hillary; Vogt, Katharina; Agterberg, Martijn J.H.

doi:10.1016/j.heares.2019.107881

Cited by 22 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The PTA 4 of the simulated bilateral conductive hearing loss in this study was 48.2 dB HL which falls within the range of a moderate hearing loss (41 to 55 dB HL). The level is similar to what was obtained in previous studies with simulated bilateral conductive hearing loss where the mean thresholds ranged from 39 dB HL (using earplug only [Snapp et al 2020] or earplug and earmuff [Hilly et al 2020]) to 49 dB HL (using earplug and silicone mold in pinnae [Gawliczek et al 2018]).…”

Section: Simulated Hearing Losssupporting

confidence: 89%

“…The masking signals used to study bilateral speech recognition benefits in challenging conditions in previous studies were noise or speech babble rather than intelligible speech signals, both when testing normal-hearing listeners using bilateral BCD under simulated hearing loss conditions (Gawliczek et al 2018; Hilly et al 2020), and in clinical cohorts (Bosman et al 2001; Dutt et al 2002; Priwin et al 2004). For sound localization, accuracy improves with bilateral as compared with unilateral BCD (Bosman et al 2001; Priwin et al 2004; Janssen et al 2012; Snapp et al 2020). While there are data on the magnitude of the bilateral BCD benefit for low- and high-frequency stimuli available (Bosman et al 2001; Priwin et al 2004), the difference in magnitude of the benefit between low-frequency signals (mainly providing ITD cues) and broadband signals allowing access to ILD, ITD and monaural level and spectral cues is unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Differing Bilateral Benefits for Spatial Release From Masking and Sound Localization Accuracy Using Bone Conduction Devices

et al. 2022

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Objectives: Normal binaural hearing facilitates spatial hearing and therefore many everyday listening tasks, such as understanding speech against a backdrop of competing sounds originating from various locations, and localization of sounds. For stimulation with bone conduction hearing devices (BCD), used to alleviate conductive hearing losses, limited transcranial attenuation results in cross-stimulation so that both cochleae are stimulated from the position of the bone conduction transducer. As such, interaural time and level differences, hallmarks of binaural hearing, are unpredictable at the level of the inner ears. The aim of this study was to compare spatial hearing by unilateral and bilateral BCD stimulation in normal-hearing listeners with simulated bilateral conductive hearing loss.Design: Bilateral conductive hearing loss was reversibly induced in 25 subjects (mean age = 28.5 years) with air conduction and bone conduction (BC) pure-tone averages across 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz (PTA 4 ) <5 dB HL. The mean (SD) PTA 4 for the simulated conductive hearing loss was 48.2 dB (3.8 dB). Subjects participated in a speech-in-speech task and a horizontal sound localization task in a within-subject repeated measures design (unilateral and bilateral bone conduction stimulation) using Baha 5 clinical sound processors on a softband. For the speech-inspeech task, the main outcome measure was the threshold for 40% correct speech recognition when masking speech and target speech were both colocated (0°) and spatially and symmetrically separated (target 0°, maskers ±30° and ±150°). Spatial release from masking was quantified as the difference between colocated and separated masking and target speech thresholds. For the localization task, the main outcome measure was the overall variance in localization accuracy quantified as an error index (0.0 = perfect performance; 1.0 = random performance). Four stimuli providing various spatial cues were used in the sound localization task. Results:The bilateral BCD benefit for recognition thresholds of speech in competing speech was statistically significant but small regardless if the masking speech signals were colocated with, or spatially and symmetrically separated from, the target speech. Spatial release from masking was identical for unilateral and bilateral conditions, and significantly different from zero. A distinct bilateral BCD sound localization benefit existed but varied in magnitude across stimuli. The smallest benefit occurred for a low-frequency stimulus (octave-filtered noise, CF = 0.5 kHz), and the largest benefit occurred for unmodulated broadband and narrowband (octave-filtered noise, CF = 4.0 kHz) stimuli. Sound localization by unilateral BCD was poor across stimuli. Conclusions:Results suggest that the well-known transcranial transmission of BC sound affects bilateral BCD benefits for spatial processing of sound in differing ways. Results further suggest that patients with bilateral conductive hearing loss and BC thresholds within the normal range may benefit from a b...

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Section: Simulated Hearing Losssupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differing Bilateral Benefits for Spatial Release From Masking and Sound Localization Accuracy Using Bone Conduction Devices

et al. 2022

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“…Even if the topic of how the interaction of bilateral BC stimulation affects the processing of acoustic information has recently been explored, the impact on binaural hearing abilities is not fully understood (22) and, to our knowledge, there have not been any studies considering speech in noise in bilateral ABCIs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Speech in Noise With Bilateral Active Bone Conduction Implant for Conductive and Mixed Hearing Loss

et al. 2022

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“…In case of binaural impairment, skills, such as recognizing speech in noise or localizing the direction of sound, become more difficult. For this reason, Snapp et al [13] stated that bilateral hearing stimulation is considered the gold standard to achieve excellent auditory performance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Audiological Performance of ADHEAR Systems in Simulated Conductive Hearing Loss: A Case Series with a Review of the Existing Literature

et al. 2021

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A new non-invasive adhesive bone conduction hearing device (ABCD) has been proposed as an alternative solution for reversible bilateral conductive hearing loss in recurrent or long-lasting forms of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children that cannot undergo surgical treatment. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of ABCD in children with OME. Twelve normal-hearing Italian-speaking volunteers, in whom a conductive hearing loss was simulated, participated in the study. The free-field average hearing threshold was determined and, to evaluate binaural hearing skills, loudness summation and the squelch effect were assessed. Five conditions were tested: (1) unaided without earplugs, (2) unaided with bilateral earplugs, (3) aided right ear with bilateral earplugs, (4) aided left ear with bilateral earplugs, and (5) bilateral aid with bilateral earplugs. Post-hoc analysis showed a significant statistical difference between plugged, unplugged, and each aided condition. The main results were a better loudness summation and a substantial improvement of the squelch effect in the bilaterally aided. Our results suggest that ABCD is a valid treatment for patients with conductive hearing loss that cannot undergo bone conduction implant surgery. It is also important to consider bilateral aids in order to deal with situations in which binaural hearing is fundamental.

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Bilateral bone conduction stimulation provides reliable binaural cues for localization

Cited by 22 publications

References 34 publications

Differing Bilateral Benefits for Spatial Release From Masking and Sound Localization Accuracy Using Bone Conduction Devices

Differing Bilateral Benefits for Spatial Release From Masking and Sound Localization Accuracy Using Bone Conduction Devices

Speech in Noise With Bilateral Active Bone Conduction Implant for Conductive and Mixed Hearing Loss

Audiological Performance of ADHEAR Systems in Simulated Conductive Hearing Loss: A Case Series with a Review of the Existing Literature

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