Evaluation of wireless Bluetooth devices to improve recognition of speech and sentences when using a mobile phone in bone conduction device recipients.

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of a wireless Bluetooth device (WBD) in word and sentence recognition in patients with bone conduction devices (BCDs) while using mobile phones. We performed a prospective study evaluating speech and sentence recognition in both quiet and noised conditions. A total of nine patients, audiologically eligible for BCDs, were included. Based on their hearing impairment type and severity, subjects were divided into "BCD only" and "BCD with HA" groups. The speech and sentence recognition scores of each condition were compared by nonparametric methods. Both the "BCD only" and "BCD with HA" groups had higher scores in the quiet condition than in the noised condition in word and sentence recognition tests, irrespective of whether the WBD was used. The benefit from using a WBD was greater in the noised condition. There were significant differences in the word recognition test results before and after using the WBD in the "BCD only" group, and in both the word and sentence recognition tests results before and after using the WBD bimodally in the noised condition in the "BCD with HA" group. WBDs improve word and sentence recognition in adult BCD bone recipients when they use mobile phones. WBD use provides additional benefits in "BCD with HA" patients in a bimodal situation.