published_or_final_version / Speech and Hearing Sciences / Master / Master of Science in Audiology

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Philosophy

This study investigates the listening environments of hearing aid users by employing the data logging capacity of their hearing aids. The idea that a hearing aid user's listening environments are important in prescribing desired hearing aid features has been discussed in the literature, however, investigation of listening environments has been limited in the past as it has relied mainly on subjective recordings. Data logging, the capacity of a hearing aid to continuously store information regarding time spent in different programs, listening environments, and microphone modes, is now available in a number of hearing aid models, and therefore provides an objective tool for studying a hearing aid user's listening environments. The data logging information from fifty-seven new hearing aid wearers, including 50 males and 7 females (mean age = 68 years, SD = 11.3), was obtained during the first routine clinic follow-up session for each individual. Measures of time spent in different listening environments, microphone modes, and overall sound levels, were analyzed. Hearing aid usage time was found to be highest in "Speech Only" situations (44.8%), followed by "Quiet" (26.7%), "Noise Only" (16.3%) and "Speech in Noise" (12.3%) situations. The majority of the hearing aid users' time was spent in "Surround" microphone mode (74.3%), followed in order by "Split" (22.3%) and "Full" (3.5%) directional modes. Results of two separate two-way ANOVAs revealed no significant age effect either on time spent in different listening environments [F(3,49) = 0.7, p= 0.5] or on time spent in different microphone modes [F(3,20) = 0.6, p= 0.6]. These findings provide empirical evidence regarding the general listening pattern of hearing aid users, which can be used as a starting point when troubleshooting problems experienced by hearing aid clients, or assessing a user's need for various hearing aid features.

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No description available.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master in Audiology In the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty of Humanities University of the Witwatersrand / The ability to handle a hearing aid may impact on satisfaction with and acceptance of hearing aids by individuals with hearing loss. Previous research has noted the correlation between hearing aid handling skills and effective hearing aid use. Although many studies have focused on the individuals’ satisfaction with their hearing aids there is a lack of information regarding the relationship between satisfaction with hearing aids and hearing aid handling skills. This is especially true for the South African context, where no studies have been conducted to explore this relationship. The main aim of the study was thus to determine the relationship between the ability to manipulate hearing aids and self-perceived satisfaction with hearing aids in individuals fitted with hearing aids in a public health care hospital. A non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational research design was employed for the purpose of this study. The sample included 85 adults fitted with hearing aids in a public health care hospital. There was an equal distribution of gender and the mean age of participants was 66.27 years. Participants completed the Practical Hearing Aid Skills Test – Revised (PHAST-R) version and the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL) questionnaire. The findings of the study indicate that the majority of participants were able to successfully manipulate their hearing aids (Mean score: 75.43%; Range: 10.71 - 100; SD: 21.58). The mean global score for satisfaction with amplification was 5.2 (Range: 3.1 - 6.8; SD: 0.84) indicating high levels of satisfaction with their hearing aids. Overall there was a significant correlation between hearing aid handling skills and satisfaction with amplification (rs= 0.22871; n = 85). Indicating participants who were better able to handle their hearing aids were more satisfied with them. The findings suggest that the majority of participants were satisfied with the hearing aids provided in a public health care hospital and that they were able to successfully handle their hearing aids. The use of the PHAST-R as part of the hearing aid orientation session is encouraged especially in light of the poor return rate for follow-up hearing aid orientation sessions at this public health care settings. The development of standard operating procedures for hearing aid fitting and orientation in the public health care sector is recommended to ensure that the best possible outcomes are ensured for all patients. / GR2017

No description available.

Custom-designed hearing instruments comprise the majority of those dispensed in the United States today. Because of their custom nature, there has been no means of evaluating them until they have been completed. There would be advantages to evaluating custom instruments prior to their completion. This study investigates a means of evaluating custom instruments prior to their final assembly into the customized shell. This is done by having the subject listen to the circuitry of the instrument while it is still mounted on the faceplate, which is accomplished by coupling the faceplate assembly to the subject's ear with foam earplug. To determine if the faceplate assembly, when coupled to the subject's ear, is a facsimile of the completed instrument, the insertion gain of the faceplate assembly was compared to the insertion gain of the completed instrument. Real ear measurements were obtained for both conditions (faceplate assembly vs. custom instrument) on twelve subjects. Once insertion gain was measured, the faceplate assemblies were then converted into custom instruments and insertion gain remeasured. A two-way Analysis of Variance test revealed no significant difference between the two test conditions at five representative test frequencies. A tolerance template, as specified by ANSI S3.22 1982, was used as a second criterion for similarity between two conditions. The tolerance template was superimposed over the insertion gain curves of the twelve faceplate assembly conditions to determine if the insertion gain curves of the completed instrument fell within acceptable variances. None of the insertion gain curves for the completed instruments fell completely within the tolerances allowed by the template. Based on this criterion, it was concluded there was a significant difference between the insertion gain of the two conditions and therefore the faceplate assembly was not a facsimile of the completed instrument, where insertion gain was concerned. However, from a subjective standpoint the faceplate assembly might still have some utility in the fitting of the custom in-the-ear hearing instruments. For example, it could be used to allow potential hearing aid wearers to experience different technologies during the preselection phase of the fitting process.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Michigan, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2003. / Advisor: Dr. Richard Morris, Florida State University, College of Communication, Dept. of Communication Disorders. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Mar. 3, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.