Study of the long-term effects of frequency compression by behavioral verbal tests in adults
Vanessa Clarizia Marchesin1, Maria Cecília Martinelli Iório1
1Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Purpose:
To verify the effect of long-term use of hearing aids with frequency compression for verbal behavior tests and daily activities.
Methods:
Thirty-two adults, aged between 30 and 60 years old, with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss at high frequencies with steeply sloping configuration were divided into two groups: 16 with hearing aids with frequency compression algorithm enabled and 16 not enabled. All participants underwent the detection tests of consonant sounds, monosyllable recognition in quiet environments, identification of fricative monosyllables, and Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire in five times throughout a 12-month trial.
Results:
Detection of consonant sounds, recognition of monosyllables in quiet environments and identification of fricative monosyllables improved significantly with frequency compression enabled. Participants had their APHAB scores improved whether they were adapted to the frequency compression or not.
Conclusion:
Frequency compression provides the anticipated improvement in audibility, detection of high-frequency consonant sounds, and recognition of monosyllables.
