Bandwidth enhancement of the LTE/WWAN handset antenna achieved by improving the excited surface current distribution in the system ground plane is presented. To achieve this goal, the system ground plane is shaped to be of a C-shape in this thesis. In this case, the longitudinal excited surface current in the system ground plane can have a smooth distribution. The proposed antenna is disposed at one edge of the C-shaped system ground plane, and the antenna comprises a driven monopole strip, a shorted monopole strip and a distributed parallel resonance (PR) circuit. By controlling the resonant frequency of the distributed PR circuit, it can result in dual-resonance excitation of the lowest resonant mode contributed by the shorted monopole strip to cover the LTE700/GSM850/900 operation. The antenna also occupies a small volume of 44 ¡Ñ 10 ¡Ñ 5 mm3 (about 2.2 cm3). Good radiation characteristics of the antenna are also obtained. For practical applications, effects of the electrical connection between the system ground plane and the surrounding metal elements such as the battery¡¦s metal casing and the handset metal midplate are studied. The simulated SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) and HAC (Hearing Aid Compatibility) results are also analyzed.

In this dissertation, a variety of novel mutiband WWAN loop antennas are presented. By designing proper coupled-fed mechanisms for the proposed loop antennas, the impedance bandwidth of the loop antenna can be greatly enhanced to achieve two wide operating bandwidths at antenna¡¦s lower and upper bands to easily cover GSM850/900/1800/1900/UMTS operation. With two wider operating bandwidths obtained, the tolerance of frequency detuning and the capability of bandwidth tuning of the loop antennas can be improved for practical applications. In addition, in order to find methods to meet the SAR and HAC criterions, the proposed small-size chip loop antenna studied in this dissertation which is suitable for both bar-type and folder-type mobile phone applications are simulated and analyzed for SAR and HAC issues.

Background: Some patients with chronic middle ear disease and multiple failed revisions, who also need a hearing aid, may benefit from an active middle ear implant. An advantage of an active middle ear implant is that the ear canal is unoccluded. Methods: Following extensive experimental development in temporal bones and investigations of various locations and attachments of a Vibrant Soundbridge transducer, a new titanium clip holder for the vibrant floating mass transducer was developed. This assembly is a total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) that is placed on the stapes footplate. Six patients were implanted with this device. Results: Acoustic results demonstrate significantly improved gain, especially in the high frequencies, which is typically unobtainable by conventional hearing aids. Conclusion: The simple procedure of placing an active TORP assembly on the stapes footplate, similar to the implantation of a passive TORP prosthesis during tympanoplasty, offers promising treatment for cases of incurable middle ear disease. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Cette thèse propose une analyse comparative acoustique et perceptive de la voix d’un effectif statistiquement fiable d’enfants sourds appareillés et implantés cochléaires. Peu de paramètres diffèrent de manière significative entre le groupe d’enfants sourds ayant été appareillés et implantés avant l’âge de trois ans, et le groupe d’enfants entendants. L’ensemble de résultats indiquent que la voix des enfants de notre étude ne présente pas les caractéristiques traditionnellement retenues pour déterminer la voix pathologique. Par ailleurs, les caractéristiques de la voix des enfants implantés cochléaires sont sensiblement comparables à celles des enfants entendants. Fort de ces résultats expérimentaux, nous avons proposé un modèle « vibro-acoustique » de la régulation de la voix des enfants sourds « oralisés », et développé un simulateur numérique de la boucle audio-phonatoire. / This dissertation presents an acoustic and perceptive comparative analysis of the voice in a reliable size group of fitted and cochlear implanted deaf children. There are very few significantly different parameters between fitted and implanted children before three years old and normal children. Results do not confirm that hearing-impaired children’s voices of our study are pathological. Furthermore, characteristics of cochlear implanted voices are nearly comparable to normal children’s voices. As a consequence of these results, we propose a « vibro-acoustic model » and a software of voice control mechanism in deaf children.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / According to Ministério da Saúde is there the necessity to survey of the Country situation in relation to the hearing impairment, between the many aspects it is the hearing aid supply and the results after the act of receiving it, what it would make possible an improvement of the actions planning in Auditory Health Attention. Some research have been carried through with hearing aid users, meantime in the specialized literature, studies related with fitted users saw in the Sistema Único de Saúde, had not been found. Thus being, this study has like aims: to verify the difficulties related to the use and battery manipulation and ear molds and to the characteristics of the amplification in this group of study; and to compare the intervention results from self-assessment questionnaires in patients with and without related complaints with the characteristics of the amplification. In this way, the study consisted of individuals with symmetrical bilaterally hearing losses, sensorineural or mixed, from moderate to moderately severe degrees, between 12 and 77 years age, all hearing aid users of digital or hibrid for a minimum period of three months. Initially, it was carried through an interview with topics related to the experience and the use and battery manipulation, ear molds and hearing aids in the 31 individuals of the study. After, they had been applied in 25 individuals, the evaluations with self-assessment questionnaires HHIE-S (Hearing Handicap Inventory will be the Elderly Screening Version) or HHIA (Hearing Handicap Inventory will be Adult) and APHAB (Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit), which had allowed to verify the difficulties tried in the daily life communication situations in individuals without (Group 1) and with complaints related to the amplification characteristics (Group 2). Of the 31 interviewed individuals, 21 users had presented some kind of complaint related to hearing aids characteristics. Already in relation to the evaluations with self-assessment qestionnaires, applied in 25 of them, there was not found significant difference statistical among the studied groups in relation to questionnaires HHIE-S and HHIA, and about the APHAB significant difference statistical only in communication favorable situations of was evidenced, having Group 1 gotten benefit better. In HHIE-S and HHIA, the means values of hearing handicap was 34,71% for Group 1 and 45,82% for Group 2, indicating a bigger perception for the group with complaints. The values of benefit in the APHAB for Group 1 was 68,62% (FC), 37,12% (RA), 48,38 (RV) and -9,25 (AS) and in Group 2, it verified 39,59% (FC), 38,12% (RA), 39,88% (RV) and -28,18% (AS), evidencing a significant reduction of the hearing disabilities with the use of the hearing aids in communication favorable situations (FC), in reverberant environments (RV) and in the ambient noise presence (RA) for both groups. In negative situations of perception of the ambient sounds (AS), the performance with the use of the hearing aid was worse for both groups, confirmed for the negative values of benefit. Finnaly, the critical appreciation of the results allowed to conclude that 12.90%, 58,06% and 67,74% of the interviewed individuals (N=31) had presented difficulties related to the battery, to the ear molds or capsules and to the amplification characteristics, respectively; and significant differences between the groups studied (N=25) in the HHIE-S and HHIA protocols, as well as in the APHAB had not been found, except in sub-scale favorable communication situations, where Group 1 (without complaints) got benefit better. / Segundo o Ministério da Saúde há a necessidade de se realizar um levantamento da situação do País em relação à deficiência auditiva, entre os vários aspectos está o fornecimento da prótese auditiva e os resultados da protetização após o recebimento, o que possibilitaria uma melhoria do planejamento das ações em Atenção à Saúde Auditiva. Várias pesquisas têm sido realizadas com usuários de próteses auditivas, entretanto não foram encontrados na literatura especializada estudos relacionados com usuários adaptados via Sistema Único de Saúde. Assim sendo, este estudo teve como objetivos: verificar as dificuldades relacionadas ao uso e manuseio de pilhas e moldes auriculares e às características da amplificação neste grupo de estudo; e comparar os resultados da protetização a partir de questionários de auto-avaliação em pacientes com e sem queixas relacionadas às características da amplificação. Deste modo, o estudo constituiu-se de portadores de perdas auditivas bilaterais simétricas, neurossensoriais ou mistas, de graus moderado a moderadamente severo, entre 12 e 77 anos de idade, todos usuários de próteses auditivas com rocessamento do sinal digital ou analógico programável via computador por um período mínimo de três meses. Inicialmente, foi realizada uma entrevista com tópicos relacionados à experiência e ao uso e manuseio das pilhas, moldes e próteses auditivas nos 31 indivíduos participantes do estudo. Após, foram aplicados em 25 indivíduos, os questionários de auto-avaliação HHIE-S (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version) ou HHIA (Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adult) e APHAB (Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit), os quais permitiram verificar as dificuldades experimentadas nas situações de comunicação em atividades diárias nos indivíduos sem (Grupo 1) e com queixas relacionados às características da amplificação (Grupo 2). Dos 31 indivíduos entrevistados, 21 usuários apresentaram algum tipo de queixa relacionado ao funcionamento das próteses auditivas. Já em relação aos questionários de auto-avaliação, aplicados em 25 deles, não se encontrou diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos estudados em relação aos questionários HHIE-S e HHIA, e quanto ao APHAB constatou-se diferença estatisticamente significante apenas em situações favoráveis de comunicação, tendo o Grupo 1 obtido melhor benefício. No HHIE-S e HHIA, o índice percentual médio do handicap auditivo foi 34,71% para o Grupo 1 e 45,82% para o Grupo 2, indicando uma maior percepção do handicap auditivo pelo grupo com queixas. Encontraram-se valores de benefício no APHAB para o Grupo 1 de 68,62% (FC), 37,12% (RA), 48,38% (RV) e -9,25% (AS) e no Grupo 2, verificou-se índices de 39,59% (FC), 38,12% (RA), 39,88% (RV) e -28,18% (AS), evidenciando uma redução significativa da incapacidade auditiva com o uso das próteses em situações favoráveis de comunicação (FC), em ambientes reverberantes (RV) e na presença de ruído ambiental (RA) para ambos os grupos. Em situações negativas de percepção dos sons ambientais, o desempenho com o uso das próteses auditivas foi pior para ambos os grupos, confirmado pelos índices negativos de benefício na sub-escala AS. Ao término deste estudo, a apreciação crítica dos resultados permitiu concluir que 12,90%, 58,06% e 67,74% dos indivíduos entrevistados (N=31) apresentaram dificuldades relacionadas às pilhas, aos moldes ou cápsulas auriculares, e às características da amplificação, respectivamente; e diferenças significantes entre os grupos estudados (N=25) nos protocolos HHIE-S e HHIA, bem como no APHAB não foram encontradas, exceto na sub-escala facilidade de comunicação, onde o Grupo 1 (sem queixas) obteve melhor benefício.

Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2017-07-26T14:12:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Janaína Benício Marques.pdf: 14648505 bytes, checksum: d012b9258828a4761e4dc0c746b9ce9a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Secta BC (secta.csu.bc@uepb.edu.br) on 2017-08-29T15:31:07Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Janaína Benício Marques.pdf: 14648505 bytes, checksum: d012b9258828a4761e4dc0c746b9ce9a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-29T15:31:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Janaína Benício Marques.pdf: 14648505 bytes, checksum: d012b9258828a4761e4dc0c746b9ce9a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-01-25 / OBJECTIVE: To compare earmolds obtained by the CAD / CAM system and the conventional pre-molding method. METHODS: Comfort sensations and anthropometric measures were analyzed in 30 ears of 15 volunteers randomly selected from a private clinic in a Brazilian Northeast Municipality, who underwent two procedures to obtain measurements, a CT scan composing the case group and preforming, constituting the control group. After the preparation of the silicone earmolds, the physical test of the devices was performed by the blind study method, in which the participants were not aware of the origin of each mold. RESULTS: The concepts Regular (53.3%), Good (20%) and Bad (20%), in the control group prevailed, based on the self-perception of the participants, while in the method proposed by the biomodel the concepts Good (73.3%) and Optimum (26.7%). As for the anthropometric linear measurements per ear in each of the evaluation forms: Conventional Preform, Conventional Silicone, Biomodel and Mold proposed significant differences (p <0.05) were found between the evaluation forms in the variables "Intertragic Incision - Top border of the Shell "," Length of the socket "" Depth of External Acoustic Meatus "," Thickness of EAM "and" Volume "in each ear. The coefficient of standard deviation being less than half of the corresponding mean values.CONCLUSION: In view of the above, it is possible to obtain atrial molds from tomographic images with favorable results. / OBJETIVO: Comparar auxiliares de audição obtidos pelo sistema CAD/CAM e pelo método convencional de pré-moldagem. METODOLOGIA: Foram analisadas as sensações de conforto e medidas antropométricas em 30 orelhas de 15 voluntários escolhidos aleatoriamente de uma clínica particular de um município do Nordeste brasileiro, os quais foram submetidos aos dois processos de obtenção de medidas, exame de tomografia computadorizada compondo o grupo caso e pré-moldagem constituindo o grupo controle. Após a confecção dos moldes de silicone, a prova física dos dispositivos foi realizada pelo método do estudo cego, onde os participantes não tinham conhecimento acerca da origem de cada molde. RESULTADOS: Com base na avaliação de autopercepção dos participantes quanto à técnica de obtenção dos moldes prevaleceram, no grupo controle, os conceitos Regular (53,3%), Bom (20%) e Ruim (20%), enquanto no método proposto pelo biomodelo prevaleceram os conceitos Bom (73,3%) e Ótimo (26,7%). Quanto às medidas lineares antropométricas por orelha em cada uma das formas de avaliação: Pré-molde convencional, Silicone convencional, Biomodelo e Molde proposto foram verificadas diferenças significativas (p < 0,05) entre as formas de avaliação nas variáveis ―Incisura Intertrágica – Bordo superior da Concha‖, ―Comprimento do encaixe‖ ―Profundidade de Meato Acústico Externo‖, ―Espessura do MAE‖ e do ―Volume‖ em cada uma das orelhas. Estando o coeficiente de desvio padrão inferior a metade dos valores das médias correspondentes. CONCLUSÃO: Diante do exposto, verifica-se que é possível obter moldes auriculares a partir de imagens tomográficas com resultados favoráveis.

No description available.

Background: Some patients with chronic middle ear disease and multiple failed revisions, who also need a hearing aid, may benefit from an active middle ear implant. An advantage of an active middle ear implant is that the ear canal is unoccluded. Methods: Following extensive experimental development in temporal bones and investigations of various locations and attachments of a Vibrant Soundbridge transducer, a new titanium clip holder for the vibrant floating mass transducer was developed. This assembly is a total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) that is placed on the stapes footplate. Six patients were implanted with this device. Results: Acoustic results demonstrate significantly improved gain, especially in the high frequencies, which is typically unobtainable by conventional hearing aids. Conclusion: The simple procedure of placing an active TORP assembly on the stapes footplate, similar to the implantation of a passive TORP prosthesis during tympanoplasty, offers promising treatment for cases of incurable middle ear disease. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study (EHLS) conducted in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, was a population-based study that focused on the prevalence of hearing loss among 3,753 participants between 1993 and 1995. This article reports the results of several auditory measures from 999 veteran and 590 nonveteran males 48 to 92 years of age included in the EHLS. The auditory measures included pure tone thresholds, tympanometry and acoustic reflexes, word recognition in quiet and in competing message, and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening (HHIE-S) version. Hearing loss in the auditory domains of pure tone thresholds, word recognition in quiet, and word recognition in competing message increased with age but were not significantly different for the veterans and nonveterans. No significant differences were found between participant groups on the HHIE-S; however, regarding hearing aid usage, mixed differences were found.

Current research in the field of geriatric audiology focuses on the audiological assessment and management. However there is a lack of published work describing the perspectives of the geriatric individuals with a hearing loss regarding the audiological service delivery received. This study aimed to determine the perspectives of the geriatric individuals with a hearing loss in this regard. Convenience sampling was utilised to recruit 50 geriatric individuals who wore hearing aids, in Gauteng. A two phase methodology was employed in this study. Phase one included a questionnaire aimed to determine the geriatric individuals’ perspectives of the audiological assessment and management processes conducted by the audiologist. Phase two, a focus group discussion regarding audiological service delivery, included 7 geriatric individuals who were randomly selected from the 50 geriatric individuals in phase one of the study. Results revealed that geriatric individuals with a hearing loss; perceived the audiological services received as adequate. However the results obtained from the questionnaire indicate that the majority of these geriatric individuals were not provided with a full test battery of assessment and management procedures as required. Therefore South African audiologists need to evaluate the assessment and management procedures used when working with the geriatric population. AFRIKAANS : Resente navorsing in die veld van geriatriese oudiologie fokus hoofsaaklik op oudiologiese evaluering en behandeling. Daar bestaan egter beperkte literatuur wat geriatriese individue met ‘n gehoorverlies se persepsies beskryf oor die proses van evaluering en dienslewering. Gevolglik was die doel van hierdie studie om geriatriese individue met ‘n gehoorverlies se persepsies aangaande oudiologiese dienste te bepaal. ‘n Twee-fase metodiek is in hierdie studie aangewend. ‘n Vraelys is in fase een gebruik om 50 geriatriese individue met ‘n gehoorverlies en wat gepas is met gehoorapparate, se persepsies aangaande oudiologiese dienslewering te bepaal. Sewe geriatriese individue het deelgeneem aan die tweede fase, naamlik ‘n fokusgroepbespreking aangaande oudiologiese dienslewering. Resultate dui daarop dat geriatriese individue met ‘n gehoorverlies die oudiologiese dienste wat hulle ontvang het as voldoende ervaar, Die meerderheid van die geriatriese individue het egter aangedui dat ’n.volledige oudiologiese toetsbattery nie tydens die evaluasieproses uitgevoer is nie en toepaslike gehoorapparaatevaluering- en passingsprosedures nie gevolg is nie. Die implikasies hiervan is dat oudioloë werksaam in Suid-Afrika die evaluering- en behandelingsprosedures wat toegepas word vir die geriatriese populasie, voortdurend moet evalueer en aanpas. Copyright / Dissertation (M. Communication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / unrestricted