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The importance of auricular prostheses for speech recognition
William E Walsh1, Brian Dougherty, David J Reisberg
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Searle Bldg, Room 12-569, 303 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611-3008, USA.
Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery
|September 17, 2008
Summary
Auricular prostheses enhance sound levels and improve speech recognition in noisy environments. These devices offer both aesthetic restoration and functional hearing benefits.
Area of Science:
- Audiology and Hearing Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Auricular prostheses are external devices used to replace missing or malformed parts of the ear.
- The impact of auricular prostheses on auditory function, particularly in challenging listening conditions, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the effect of auricular prostheses on sound pressure levels at the ear canal entrance using the auricular prosthesis transfer function (APTF).
- To evaluate the influence of auricular prostheses on speech recognition in simulated noisy hearing environments.
Main Methods:
- The APTF was measured for eight auricular prostheses by recording sound pressure levels with a microphone at the ear canal entrance, with and without the prosthesis, during 360-degree head rotation.
- A modified Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) incorporated the APTF to simulate conditions without an auricular prosthesis.
- Speech recognition was assessed in 11 subjects using both the standard HINT and the modified HINT.
Main Results:
- The APTF varied with head position, with maximal acoustic gain from the auricular prosthesis reaching 8.1 dB at 4.6 kHz and 9.7 dB at 11.5 kHz at 0 degrees rotation.
- The auricular prosthesis significantly improved the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) during speech testing, with mean improvements of 1.7 dB at 0 degrees, 0.9 dB at 90 degrees, and 0.5 dB at 180 degrees.
- These improvements in SNR translated to enhanced speech recognition in noisy conditions.
Conclusions:
- Auricular prostheses provide measurable acoustic gain, leading to improved speech recognition in challenging auditory environments.
- Beyond their aesthetic benefits, auricular prostheses play a functional role in enhancing hearing capabilities for individuals with ear deformities or loss.
