Abstract
Hearing assistance and restoration devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants were originally designed for unilateral use to improve speech communications. However, the demands of understanding a conversation in noisy situations have led to these devices being increasingly prescribed bilaterally, in the hope that hearing-impaired listeners might be able to access the benefits of binaural hearing enjoyed by normal-hearing listeners. Although bilateral hearing with devices have led to some improvements compared with those for unilateral use, there is still a gap in performance between listening with assistive devices and normal hearing. This chapter first covers a brief history of hearing aids and cochlear implants to explain how some of the design choices motivated by the desire to improve unilateral speech communications have affected access to binaural cues. Research investigating binaural hearing abilities with current hearing aids and cochlear implants is reviewed, along with a discussion of the factors that affect bilateral hearing with devices.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
