High-Frequency Gain and Maximum Output Effects on Speech Recognition in Bone-Conduction Hearing Devices: Blinded...

Area of Science:

• Audiology and Hearing Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Otorhinolaryngology

Background:

• Bone-conduction hearing devices (BCHDs) transmit sound via mechanical vibrations to the cochlea.
• Key BCHD parameters like maximum power output (MPO) and frequency range (FR) are crucial for speech recognition, particularly in noisy environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the hearing performance and speech recognition in noise between two BCHD sound processors (SPs) with differing MPO and FR.
• To evaluate the impact of these SPs on users with conductive or mixed hearing impairment.

Main Methods:

• A single-blinded, comparative study involving 21 Baha 4 system users.
• Evaluation included unaided conditions, Baha 5 SP, and Baha 6 Max SP.
• Free-field audiometry and speech recognition in noise tests were conducted.

Main Results:

• The Baha 6 Max SP demonstrated superior free-field audiometry results across multiple frequencies (0.25, 3, 4, 6, 8 kHz) compared to the Baha 5 SP.
• Significantly better speech recognition in noise was achieved with the Baha 6 Max SP under all tested conditions.
• Both transcutaneous (Attract) and percutaneous (Connect) users showed improved outcomes with the Baha 6 Max.

Conclusions:

• The Baha 6 Max, with its greater MPO and broader FR, enhances high-frequency gain.
• This leads to improved speech recognition in bone-conduction hearing device users, especially in challenging listening conditions.