LoCHAid: An ultra-low-cost hearing aid for age-related hearing loss

Sinha, Subarna; Irani, Urvaksh D.; Manchaiah, Vinaya; Bhamla, M. Saad

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0238922

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The hardware itself typically accounts for less than $100 (indeed, a recent study demonstrated a prototype device that provided adjustable, frequency-specific amplification costing less than $1; ref. 61 ). Fortunately, neither the services nor premium features that increase cost are essential 62 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compression and amplification algorithms in hearing aids impair the selectivity of neural responses to speech

et al. 2021

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In quiet environments, hearing aids improve the perception of low-intensity sounds. However, for high-intensity sounds in background noise, the aids often fail to provide a benefit to the wearer.Here, by using large-scale single-neuron recordings from hearing-impaired gerbils -an established animal model of human hearing -we show that hearing aids restore the sensitivity of neural responses to speech, but not their selectivity. Rather than reflecting a deficit in supra-threshold auditory processing, the low selectivity is a consequence of hearing-aid compression (which decreases the spectral and temporal contrasts of incoming sound) and of amplification (which distorts neural responses, regardless of whether hearing is impaired). Processing strategies that avoid the trade-off between neural sensitivity and selectivity should improve the performance of hearing aids.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compression and amplification algorithms in hearing aids impair the selectivity of neural responses to speech

et al. 2021

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“…More than 90% of persons with disabling hearing loss on the African continent do not have access to hearing aids [ 2 ]. Even if available, hearing aids are often unaffordable, especially in LMICs [ 12 , 13 ]. At the same time, untreated hearing loss is associated with an annual global cost of one trillion USD [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community-based adult hearing care provided by community healthcare workers using mHealth technologies

Frisby

Eikelboom

Mahomed-Asmail

et al. 2022

Global Health Action

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Background The rising prevalence of hearing loss is a global health concern. Professional hearing services are largely absent within low- and middle-income countries where appropriate skills are lacking. Task-shifting to community healthcare workers (CHWs) supported by mHealth technologies is an important strategy to address the problem. Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a community-based rehabilitation model providing hearing aids to adults in low-income communities using CHWs supported by mHealth technologies. Method Between September 2020 and October 2021, hearing aid assessments and fittings were implemented for adults aged 18 and above in two low-income communities in the Western Cape, South Africa, using trained CHWs. A quantitative approach with illustrative open-ended questions was utilised to measure and analyse hearing aid outcomes. Data were collected through initial face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, and face-to-face visits post-fitting. Responses to open-ended questions were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The International Outcome Inventory – Hearing Aids questionnaire determined standardised hearing aid outcomes. Results Of the 152 adults in the community who self-reported hearing difficulties, 148 were successfully tested by CHWs during home visits. Most had normal hearing (39.9%), 24.3% had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, 20.9% had suspected conductive hearing loss, and 14.9% had unilateral hearing loss, of which 5.4% had suspected conductive loss. Forty adults met the inclusion criteria to be fitted with hearing aids. Nineteen of these were fitted bilaterally. Positive hearing aid outcomes and minimal device handling challenges were reported 45 days post-fitting and were maintained at six months. The majority (73.7%) of participants fitted were still making use of their hearing aids at the six-month follow-up. Conclusions Implementing a hearing healthcare service-delivery model facilitated by CHWs in low-income communities is feasible. mHealth technologies used by CHWs can support scalable service-delivery models with the potential for improved access and affordability in low-income settings.

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“…It was also noted that hearing aids were recommended to help with tinnitus and hearing loss, but respondents were not always able to purchase them because of cost. Due to the detrimental effects of untreated hearing loss, such as increased risk of dementia (Loughrey et al, 2018), ensuring access to affordable hearing aids/ assistive listening devices should be prioritized (Sinha et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coping With Tinnitus During the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal operations of health care services, broad sectors of the economy, and the ability to socialize freely. For those with tinnitus, such changes can be factors in exacerbating tinnitus. The purpose of this study was to determine tinnitus help-seeking behavior, which resources individuals utilized to cope during the pandemic, and what additional support is desired. Method An exploratory cross-sectional study design including 1,522 adults with tinnitus living in North America (Canada and the United States) was used. Data were collected through an online survey distributed by the American Tinnitus Association via e-mail. Free text from open-ended questions was analyzed using the automated content analysis. The responses to the structured questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and nonparametric statistics. Results Significantly less tinnitus support was sought during the pandemic, and very few respondents utilized tinnitus support networks during the pandemic at the time the survey was conducted. Nonetheless, seeking support during the pandemic was significantly associated with significantly less tinnitus distress. The most frequently utilized resources for coping during the pandemic were contacting family and friends, spending time outdoors or in nature, relaxation, and exercise. Such tools for coping were associated with significantly less tinnitus distress. The support requested and advice provided by participants to health care services had overlap. The main support needs related to managing tinnitus included addressing hearing loss, providing peer support, finding cures, and accessing trained and understanding health care providers to help. The advice for professionals related to tinnitus management included the need for cures, personalized support, addressing hearing loss, targeting the tinnitus percept, and providing more information about the condition. Conclusions These findings provide suggestions on how to better support those with tinnitus at a time when health care is undergoing rapid changes. Findings can be used by stakeholders, clinical practitioners, and tinnitus support services to devise ways to work more effectively together to improve access to patient-driven, suitable, accessible, and evidence-based support. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14558514

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LoCHAid: An ultra-low-cost hearing aid for age-related hearing loss

Cited by 11 publications

References 31 publications

Compression and amplification algorithms in hearing aids impair the selectivity of neural responses to speech

Compression and amplification algorithms in hearing aids impair the selectivity of neural responses to speech

Community-based adult hearing care provided by community healthcare workers using mHealth technologies

Coping With Tinnitus During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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