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Benefits of Nonlinear Frequency Compression in Adult Hearing Aid Users
Melissa Kokx-Ryan1,2, Julie Cohen1, Mary T Cord1
1National Military Audiology and Speech Pathology Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|November 12, 2015
Summary
Frequency-lowering (FL) algorithms may offer some benefit for adults with hearing loss, particularly older individuals. Further research is needed to optimize FL settings and confirm its advantages.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Science
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Frequency-lowering (FL) algorithms offer a novel approach to enhance high-frequency speech cue audibility.
- Independent research is lacking on the functional benefits, optimal algorithm selection, clinical programming, and verification of FL technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- Experiment 1: Assess the benefit of a commercial nonlinear frequency compression (NLFC) algorithm on speech recognition in noise, considering acclimatization.
- Experiment 2: Evaluate enhanced verification procedures for optimizing a prototype NLFC algorithm and its impact on speech recognition in quiet and noise.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments utilized a single-blind, within-participant repeated measures design.
- Participants (N=26 in Exp 1, N=37 in Exp 2) with hearing loss were recruited from a military medical center.
- Speech recognition tests (QuickSIN, Modified Rhyme Test) were administered with FL algorithms activated and deactivated, with systematic programming in Experiment 2.
Main Results:
- Some participants experienced small-to-moderate benefits from FL, while others showed no change in performance.
- No significant differences were found among systematically varied FL settings in Experiment 2.
- Older adults (>65 years) showed a trend towards greater benefit from FL, with improved intelligibility of specific phonemes (/ŋ/, /b/, and /ð/ in older adults).
Conclusions:
- The optimal application and benefits of FL algorithms require further investigation.
- No performance degradation was observed with FL activation.
- Older adults may particularly benefit from FL, warranting further exploration in this demographic.
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