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Hearing-aid users' voices: a factor that could affect directional benefit.
Yu-Hsiang Wu1, Elizabeth Stangl, Ruth A Bentler
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Iowa , Iowa City , USA.
International Journal of Audiology
|June 20, 2013
Summary
Backward-facing directional processing (Back-DIR) improved hearing aid benefit in a follow-up study. A carrier phrase eliminated listener voice interference, unlike the original experiment, demonstrating technology dependence on listening conditions.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Aid Technology
- Acoustics
Background:
- Backward-facing directional processing (Back-DIR) uses an anti-cardioid pattern to improve speech reception from behind the listener.
- Hearing aid performance can be influenced by user vocalizations, potentially affecting directional benefit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of hearing aid users' voices on the effectiveness of Back-DIR.
- To compare Back-DIR performance in two experimental setups with varying speech-in-noise conditions.
Main Methods:
- Speech recognition was assessed in a speech-180°/noise-0° configuration comparing Back-DIR and omnidirectional processing.
- Two experiments were conducted with 15 adults with sensorineural hearing loss, using conventional and modified Hearing-In-Noise Tests (HINT).
- The modified HINT included a carrier phrase preceding target sentences to ensure Back-DIR activation.
Main Results:
- Significant Back-DIR benefit was observed in the follow-up experiment but not in the original experiment.
- Listener voice interference prevented consistent Back-DIR activation in the original experiment.
- The carrier phrase in the follow-up experiment successfully activated Back-DIR, mitigating voice effects.
Conclusions:
- Hearing aid technology effectiveness is contingent upon specific listening conditions.
- The carrier phrase is crucial for ensuring Back-DIR activation and overcoming user voice interference.
- Optimizing hearing aid algorithms requires careful consideration of environmental and user-specific factors.
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