Increased maximum power output may improve speech recognition with bone conduction hearing devices

Hua, Håkan; Goossens, Tine; Lewis, Aaran T.

doi:10.1080/14992027.2021.1959953

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The results revealed that Baha 6 Max significantly outperformed Baha 5 under all test conditions. Related results have already been reported by Hua et al (9), Gawliczek et al (22), Bosman et al (23), and Hodgetts et al (24) and confirm the superior electroacoustic characteristics of Baha 6 Max. As shown by the audiometric thresholds results, the wider FR (up to 9700 Hz on the Baha 6 Max) and consequently the greater high-frequency gain were the determining factors for the superior performance of Baha 6 Max in noisy environments.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…A key factor to consider when selecting a BCHD for an individual is the gain that the device can provide, because the gain must be sufficient to amplify sounds above audiometric thresholds. Another crucial parameter for the selection process is the maximum power output (MPO), especially at a high frequency (9). MPO is defined as the strongest output level that a hearing device can provide and is an important parameter for selecting the best device for each patient.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

High-Frequency Gain and Maximum Output Effects on Speech Recognition in Bone-Conduction Hearing Devices: Blinded Study

Sassi,

Bucuvic,

Castiquini

et al. 2023

Otol Neurotol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction Bone-conduction hearing device (BCHD) uses natural sound transmission through bone and soft tissue, directly to the cochlea, via an external processor that captures and processes sound, which is converted into mechanical vibrations. Key parameters, as maximum power output (MPO) and broader frequency range (FR), must be considered when indicating a BCHD because they can be decisive for speech recognition, especially under listening challenge conditions. Objectives Compare hearing performance and speech recognition in noise of two sound processors (SPs), with different features of MPO and FR, among BCHD users. Materials and Methods This single-blinded, comparative, observational study evaluated 21 individuals Baha 4 system users with conductive or mixed hearing impairment. The free-field audiometry and speech recognition results were blindly collected under the following conditions: unaided, with Baha 5, and with Baha 6 Max SP. Results In free-field audiometry, significant differences were observed between the SP at 0.25, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz, with Baha 6 Max outperforming Baha 5. The Baha 6 Max provided significantly better speech recognition than Baha 5 under all the speech in noise conditions evaluated. Separating the transcutaneous from the percutaneous users, Baha 6 Max Attract SP provided the best results and significantly lowered the free-field thresholds than Baha 5 Attract. The Baha 6 Max also significantly improved speech recognition in noise, among both Attract and Connect users. Conclusion The present study revealed that the greater MPO and broader FR of the Baha 6 Max device helped increase high-frequency gain and improved speech recognition in BCHD-experimented users.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-Frequency Gain and Maximum Output Effects on Speech Recognition in Bone-Conduction Hearing Devices: Blinded Study

Sassi,

Bucuvic,

Castiquini

et al. 2023

Otol Neurotol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The effective dynamic range of EVS could further increase with a dedicated BC actuator designed for higher output in the low frequencies and direct coupling to the skull bone. Based on the results from previous studies 23 , 24 that showed improved speech perception with higher output power BC devices, this could result in even larger effect sizes with EVS vs E-only. However, it remains unclear how the findings from these studies showing the benefit of an increased broadband output would translate to higher low-frequency stimulation at the electro-vibrational cross-over frequency.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Electro-vibrational stimulation results in improved speech perception in noise for cochlear implant users with bilateral residual hearing

Geerardyn

Voecht

Wouters

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A cochlear implant is a neuroprosthetic device that can restore speech perception for people with severe to profound hearing loss. Because of recent evolutions, a growing number of people with a cochlear implant have useful residual acoustic hearing. While combined electro-acoustic stimulation has been shown to improve speech perception for this group of people, some studies report limited adoption rates. Here, we present electro-vibrational stimulation as an alternative combined stimulation strategy that similarly targets the full cochlear reserve. This novel strategy combines the electrical stimulation by the cochlear implant with low-frequency bone conduction stimulation. In a first evaluation of electro-vibrational stimulation, speech perception in noise was assessed in 9 subjects with a CI and symmetrical residual hearing. We demonstrate a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement for speech perception in noise of 1.9 dB signal-to-noise ratio. This effect was observed with a first prototype that provides vibrational stimulation to both ears with limited transcranial attenuation. Future integration of electro-vibrational stimulation into one single implantable device could ultimately allow cochlear implant users to benefit from their low-frequency residual hearing without the need for an additional insert earphone.

show abstract

“…As the perception of the quality of the own voice may be important, a judgment of the quality of the own voice was included. We hypothesize that sound quality is optimal if the low-frequency output contributes to the sound perception ( Hua et al 2021 ) but at the same time is well below the MFO to avoid distortion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

NAL-NL2 Prescriptive Targets for Bone Conduction Devices With an Adaptation to Device Constraints in the Low Frequencies

Toll

Dingemanse

2022

Ear &Amp; Hearing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: To study the effectivity of a transformed NAL non-linear version 2 (NAL-NL2) gain prescription for percutaneous bone conduction devices (BCDs) and to investigate how to take into account output constraints for the lower frequencies. Design:The NAL-NL2 prescription was converted to a bone conduction prescription rule. Adaptations were needed, as this converted rule prescribes more output at low frequencies than the device delivers. Three adaptations with different audibility and compression were compared. Setting 1 (S1, "optimal audibility") had most audibility due to adapted frequency-dependent compression, setting 2 (S2, "moderate audibility") had moderate output reduction below 1 kHz, and setting 3 (S3, "reduced audibility, least distortion") had most output reduction. Eighteen experienced BCD users rated their relative sound quality in paired comparisons for different sounds (own voice, mixed voices, traffic noise, and music). In addition speech intelligibility in quiet and noise were assessed. Results:The relative sound quality rating for the adapted prescriptions varied between the stimuli: more low-frequency sound was preferred for music (S1 over S3), and less low-frequency sound was preferred for the own voice (S2 and S3 over S1). No differences in quality rating were found for mixed voices or traffic noise. Speech intelligibility in quiet scores at 45 dB SPL was significantly lower for S3 than for S1. Speech intelligibility in noise was significantly reduced in all settings and S3 yielded significantly better speech intelligibility in noise than S1.Conclusions: With a moderate gain reduction for low frequencies to comply with device constraints the transformed NAL-NL2 prescription was found suitable for fitting BCDs. Perceived sound quality depended on the gain settings, but also on the sound spectra and how the sound was appreciated. A moderate gain reduction below 1 kHz seems to be the optimal adaptation as it has a neutral or positive relative sound quality for all stimuli without negative effects on Speech intelligibility. The NAL-NL2-BC prescribed a sufficient amount of gain, as indicated by the speech tests.

show abstract

Increased maximum power output may improve speech recognition with bone conduction hearing devices

Cited by 7 publications

References 24 publications

High-Frequency Gain and Maximum Output Effects on Speech Recognition in Bone-Conduction Hearing Devices: Blinded Study

High-Frequency Gain and Maximum Output Effects on Speech Recognition in Bone-Conduction Hearing Devices: Blinded Study

Electro-vibrational stimulation results in improved speech perception in noise for cochlear implant users with bilateral residual hearing

NAL-NL2 Prescriptive Targets for Bone Conduction Devices With an Adaptation to Device Constraints in the Low Frequencies

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About