Elderly Hearing Aid Research Articles

A Study on Improving Speech Perception in Noise and Cognitive-Communication Abilities in Elderly Individuals Wearing Hearing Aids through Web-Based Auditory Training

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the impact of web-based auditory training on speech perception in noise and cognitive-communication abilities in elderly individuals wearing hearing aids. The focus was on addressing communication difficulties commonly experienced by this demographic.Methods: Twenty participants, with over 6 months of hearing aid use, were divided into a training group (undergoing 8 weeks of weekly 60-minute web-based auditory training) and a non-training group. The training program included tasks like listening to sentences in noise, short and long stories, sentence arrangement, and crossword quizzes. Various assessments, such as Korean Repeat and Recall Test and Brief test Cognitive-Communication Disorders evaluations, were conducted before and after training. The Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment test served as a prescreening measure for cognitive impairments.Results: Significant improvements were observed in the training group’s speech perception in noise, recall, and cognitive-communicative abilities post-training. Conversely, the non-training group showed no statistically significant differences.Conclusion: The findings suggest that web-based auditory training holds promise for enhancing cognition and communication in elderly hearing aid users. Future studies could further explore the comparative effectiveness of auditory training by categorizing participants into face-to-face, remote, and hybrid groups. This research contributes valuable insights into addressing communication challenges in the aging population through innovative training methods.

Speech self-perception algorithm objective analysis with elderly hearing aids users

Speech self-perception algorithm objective analysis with elderly hearing aids users

Audiological benefit, quality of life, and factors associated with functional gain in elderly hearing aid users in a developing country between 2017 and 2020: a pre-post-study

BackgroundSensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most common auditory deficit in older adults and may lead to quality-of-life deterioration. However, few studies have been performed in low/middle-income countries, particularly in Latin America. This study aimed to assess the audiological benefit, quality of life, and factors associated with functional gain in elderly hearing aid users in the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá and UNIMEQ-ORL, two otology referral centers in Colombia.DesignPre-post study that included hearing aid users at the otology consult of the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá and UNIMEQ-ORL between June 2017 and December 2020. Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) and Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaires were applied. Audiometric (0,5 kHz to 4 kHz) and speech audiometry results were collected.ResultsA total of 75 participants (132 ears) were included. The mean age was 70.73 years (SD: 12.66). The median hearing aid use in years was 0.71 (IQR: 0.64–0.90). Mean change in speech audiometry was − 26.53dB (95%CI: -28.09, -24.97; p < 0.001), in functional gain was − 21.75dB (-23.81, -19.68; p < 0.001). The mean changes in the APHAB domains were Ease of Communication: -37.85 (95%CI: -43.01; -32.7), Background Noise: -3.51 (-6.06; -0.95), and Aversiveness of Sounds: -6.9 (-2.04; 11.77). The GBI assessment of quality of life showed improvement in 100% of the population after the use of hearing aids. The number of years of hearing aids use was associated with functional gain.ConclusionThe number of years of hearing aids use may impact on the functional gain in these populations. A significant clinical benefit was found in terms of quality of life, communication, and reverberation related to the use of hearing aids. Access to hearing aids should be granted, and public health strategies are needed to grant the access to hearing rehabilitation in these populations.Trial registrationFundación Santa Fe de Bogotá (Protocol Number: CCEI-12666-2020).

The Exploratory Study on the Development of Online Based Auditory Training Contents: Based on the Analysis of the Application for Auditory-Training for the Elderly in their 70s and Older

Purpose: Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of teleservices such as telemedicine and digital treatment is increasing. Interest in teleservice is also growing in the filed of audiology. The increase in the demand for remote hearing services will likely lead to the need for online-based auditory training programs. This study aims to investigate and analyze the usage behaviors and functions, the satisfaction of the developed online-based auditory training program, and to suggest the implications of development directions for the online-based auditory training program.Methods: Individual in-depth interviews were conducted. Eleven participants, including five 70s~80s elderly hearing aids users, two program developers, three audiologists, and one professor of audiology, were recruited.Results: Three themes emerged from the interviews were; analysis contents in online-based auditory training, maximized ease of voluntary auditory training, and individualized contents required for the auditory training.Conclusion: The study results highlighted that online-based auditory training needs familiar, easy, short, technology strategy for elderly users with hearing loss. First, familiar topics greatly benefit elderly users because they do not want to learn new and diverse issues. Also, there was a need to provide contents that could attract individual interest using advanced technology. Second, short sentences must be quickly visualized to encourage participantation in the auditory training. Third, ease accessibility to the system for auditory training program is needed. Lastly, the elderly users were proud to use new technology for auditory training, so the professionals must encourage them to continue it. In addition, professionals pointed out that qualified professionals provide the auditory training service and need government support, such as voucher service, for the auditory training. These outcomes will contribute to refining the devleoped online-based auditory training program.

Survey of Auditory Training Awareness for Hearing Professionals and Elderly Individuals Using Hearing Aids

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the demand for auditory training provision and survey beneficiary experience.Methods: A total of 161 participants (80 hearing professionals and 81 elderly hearing aid users) were surveyed online or in-person. Both groups completed 26 questions related to their experience of providing or receiving auditory training, awareness of need, and preference.Results: The hearing professional group was strongly aware of the need to provide auditory training to improve communication problems in elderly individuals using hearing aids, and the absence of a systematic auditory training program was the biggest factor in not providing auditory training. The elderly hearing aid user group also recognized the need for auditory training to improve communication problems, but they responded that the hassle of visiting a clinic for training and lack of training time were factors that made participation in auditory training difficult.Conclusion: Hearing professionals should expand the scope of aural rehabilitation services to provide effective auditory training programs that fit the concept of rehabilitation, rather than simply providing hearing aid fitting management services to improve communication skills. Therefore, hearing professionals should conduct an intervention program after hearing aid fitting for elderly hearing aid users so that hearing rehabilitation can be comprehensively performed according to auditory and cognitive perceptual changes. In addition, efforts are required to solve limitations that make it difficult for elderly individuals who use hearing aids to participate in auditory training, such as the development of a web-based auditory training program.

Investigation of correlation between dichotic listening performance and speech in noise perception with hearing aid outcomes in the elderly

Background and purpose: Presbycusis, which occurs both in peripheral and central forms, is one of the most common disorders in the elderly. Presbycusis is generally characterized by decreased auditory sensitivity, poor speech comprehension and decreased speech recognition in noisy environments. This disease is also associated with a decrease of more than 20% of a person’s maximum speech perception in the presence of a competitive signal compared to silence. The inability of the central auditory systems of elderly hearing aid users to decode sounds, especially in the presence of peripheral hearing loss, can affect hearing aid outcomes. This study investigates the correlation between assessments related to auditory processing and hearing aid outcomes. Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on 39 elderly hearing aid users in two groups: behind-the-ear (BTE; n = 23) and in-the-ear (n = 16) hearing aid users. After pure tone audiometry, patients who met the inclusion criteria underwent assessments related to the central auditory system, including double dichotic digit (DDT) and quick noise speech (Q-SIN) tests. Then, the correlation between the tests and hearing aid outcomes was evaluated based on the international outcome inventory (IOI-HA), a comprehensive assessment of the outcomes in different aspects. Results: In the BTE and in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid users, there was a significant correlation between DDT scores in the right ear (r = 0.60, 0.52) left ear (r = 0.43, 0.54), speech-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss (r = −0.50, −0.58) and IOI-HA questionnaire scores respectively. The stepwise regression analysis results indicated that unlike other variables such as age or peripheral hearing loss, the Q-SIN was the only variable that significantly (p < 0.001) participated in IOI-HA prediction with a correlation coefficient of 0.504, which simulates the conditions most closely related to hearing aid inefficiency and patient dissatisfaction. Conclusions: The Q-SIN test could be used partially to predict the outcomes of hearing aid use.

A Survey Study of Hearing Aid Satisfaction, Quality of Life, and Tinnitus of Elderly Hearing Aid Users

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate hearing aid satisfaction, quality of life, and tinnitus of elderly hearing aid users to help hearing aid rehabilitation of the elderly. Methods: A total of 50 elderly hearing aid users (average age 75.7 years) with or without tinnitus participated in this study. We implemented pure tone audiometry and tinnitogram and conducted four questionnaires including Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL), World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).Results: Positive correlations were found between SADL and WHOQOL-BREF scores. The average total SADL scores and WHOQOL-BREF scores are 5 points and 3.4 points respectively. There were no significant differences in the average SADL and WHOQOL-BREF scores between the elderly with tinnitus and the elderly without tinnitus. About 90% of the elderly with tinnitus described high frequency tinnitus above 2,000 Hz. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents had an experience of tinnitus therapy and 67% of the elderly with tinnitus therapy experiences reported that tinnitus therapy was not helpful. Ninety-two percent of the respondents stated that wearing hearing aid was helpful to reduce their tinnitus. The emotional and catastrophic subscales of THI were correlated with VAS scores. Conclusion: Positive correlations were found between SADL and WHOQOL-BREF scores regardless of tinnitus presence. Tinnitus of elderly hearing users was not directly related to the quality of life and successful hearing aid intervention could be a key factor in improving the quality of life of the elderly.

Changes in cortical auditory evoked potentials in response to auditory training in elderly hearing aid users: A pilot study.

To compare the cortical auditory evoked potential responses pre-and post-Auditory Musical Training associated with hearing aid adaptation in elderly people with presbycusis. This is a pilot, prospective, randomized, single-blind study. Eight presbiacusis elderly people between 65 and 80 years, new hearing aid users, divided into two groups participated in the study: Hearing Aid Group: use of hearing aid; and Auditory Training Group: use of hearing aid in addition to musical auditory training for 16 sessions. All participants were submitted to cortical auditory evoked potential tests with verbal stimulation in two different moments: Initial assessment, carried out before hearing aid adaptation and auditory training, and after three months, final assessment at the end of the auditory training sessions. All participants were adapted bilaterally with digital mini hearing aids. There was a decrease in the P3a latency component for the Auditory Training Group when initial and final assessment were compared. There was a change in the cortical auditory evoked potential in elderly people with presbycusis in response to the Musical Auditory Training associated with the use of hearing aids in elderly people with presbycusis.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a New Auditory Training Program on the Speech Recognition Skills and Auditory Event-Related Potentials in Elderly Hearing Aid Users

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new auditory training (AT) program on the speech recognition in the noise and on the auditory event-related potentials in elderly hearing aid users. Methods: Thirty-three elderly individuals using hearing aids aged from 60 to 80 years participated. A new AT program was developed for the study. AT program lasts for 8 weeks and includes sound discrimination exercises and cognitive exercises. Seventeen individuals (mean age 72.17 ± 6.94) received AT and 16 individuals (mean age 71.75 ± 6.81) did not receive AT. The mismatch negativity (MMN) test and matrix test were used to evaluate the effectiveness of AT. Tests were conducted for the study group before and after the AT. The tests were carried out for the control group at the same times with the study group and the results were compared. Results: In comparison with the first evaluation, the last evaluation of the study group demonstrated a significant difference regarding the decrease of mean latency in the MMN wave (p = 0.038), and regarding the improving score of matrix test (p = 0.004), there was no difference in the control group. Conclusion: The AT program prepared for the study was effective in improving speech recognition in noise in the elderly, and the efficiency of AT could be demonstrated with MMN and matrix test.

Auditory Training for Spatial Hearing Loss: Two Case Reports of the Older Adults Who Wear Hearing Aids

The elderly with hearing loss have often experienced spatial hearing deficits when only wearing hearing aids. This case study aimed to investigate whether auditory training for spatial hearing loss could improve the spatial hearing ability of the elderly who wear hearing aids. Two older adults (males, aged 75 years and 78 years) who were wearing bilateral hearing aids participated. They had symmetric sensorineural hearing loss. A total of 16 auditory-training sessions (40 minutes, twice per week) for auditory training for spatial hearing ability provided. For outcome measurements, we assessed speech reception thresholds (SRTs) and spatial release from masking (SRM), using two types of noise, steady-state noise and speech-like noise at pre- and post-auditory training. Both subjects increased SRTs after the auditory training, but the SRM of only one participant improved. Also, there were no masking effects for SRM in terms of noise types. Both subjects reported that their trained hearing skills helped in communication with their families and friends. These results suggested that audiologists can consider auditory training for focusing on the spatial hearing loss for the elderly hearing aids users.

Experiencias Socio Comunicativas en Adultos Mayores Usuarios de Audífonos

El objetivo de la investigación fue describir las experiencias socio-comunicativas en los adultos mayores usuarios de audífonos. La metodología fue cuantitativa, de tipo descriptivo, el cual contó con la participación de 20 adultos mayores, aplicando encuestas a los participantes. Se realizó revisión documental de los temas de interés, como marco de referencia y/o sustento teórico. Los resultados muestran que el 65% de la población, reporta que la experiencia con los audífonos ha sido buena o excelente. La gran mayoría de los adultos mayores presentó hipoacusia de grado moderado-severo. Se analizan los resultados teniendo en cuenta indicadores como: actividades y participación, utilización de dispositivos y técnicas de comunicación, relaciones interpersonales básicas, actividades recreativas y de ocio, actividades culturales (iglesia y grupos de apoyo).

Non-compliance in Elderly Hearing-aid Users

Objective (Background): Despite the scientific advancements, acceptance of hearing-aids remains poor in persons with hearing impairment in the elderly age group. The attitudinal issues play a significant role in their decision to use hearing aids or not. The purpose of this study was to understand the reasons for noncompliance and acceptance of hearing-loss and hearing-aids. Methods: In this questionnaire-based survey study, the Punjabi-language speaking elderly persons having hearing-impairment were identified into two groups, current-user and non-user of hearing-aids. A questionnaire prepared in the Punjabi language was administered, which consisted of twenty questions with a five-point rating scale. It yielded scores in five subscales that probed the social and emotional impact of hearing loss, denial, stigma, manual dexterity. The responses of the participants were then analysed. Result : A total of seventy-four questionnaires were completed. Average time of 9.63 minutes to complete one questionnaire. The mean age of respondents was 67.05 years. Of these, 45.95% were current users, and 54.05% were non-users of hearing aids. The subjects in both groups had a sensorineural hearing loss of moderate to a moderately-severe degree. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed. On average, the non-users had higher scores on the emotional impact of hearing loss, denial, and stigma subscales. Conclusions: The factors responsible for non-usage of hearingaids by the persons with hearing-impairment were a stigma associated with the hearing aid usage; denial of hearing loss; and emotional impact of hearing loss. Both, social impact of hearing loss and poor manual dexterity were not limiting factors for non-compliance in hearing-aid users

An Evaluation of Motivational Interviewing for Increasing Hearing Aid Use: A Pilot Study.

Motivational interviewing (MI) has been used in consultation settings to motivate hearing aid users to increase hearing aid usage. However, the effect of MI on those who use their hearing aids only rarely or not at all has not been explored. The aims of this pilot study were to evaluate the effect of MI counseling with elderly hearing aid recipients found to have low hearing aid use at a six-month follow-up appointment and to describe clients' subjective assessments of their perceived need for hearing aids three months after MI counseling. The study had a within-subjects pretest-posttest design. Forty seven hearing aid recipients who had used their new hearing aids, an average of <90 min/day, were recruited at a follow-up appointment six months after hearing aid fitting. Thirty minutes of MI counseling was provided at the six-month follow-up appointment. If needed, hearing aid adjustments and technical support were also provided. The effect of MI counseling in combination with adjustments and technical support was assessed in relation to datalogged hearing aid use, which was assessed immediately before (at the six-month follow-up) and three months after (at the nine-month follow-up) the intervention. Hearing aid experiences were also assessed three months after MI. Thirty seven participants (79%) returned for the nine-month follow-up visit and had modest but significant increases in datalogged hearing aid use in the three months following MI counseling. Of the 37 participants who returned, 51% had increased their hearing aid use to at least 2 h/day after the MI counseling. Most of the 37 participants who attended the nine-month follow-up reported increased need for (59%) or increased benefit and contentment with (57%) their hearing aid three months after MI; these participants also had significantly higher datalogged hearing aid use following MI. These findings suggest that follow-up appointments using MI counseling in conjunction with technical support may be useful for increasing hearing aid usage among low-users, and a randomized controlled trial is warranted.

Auditory Training in an Elderly Hearing Aid User Using Environmental Sounds, Stories and Questions: A Case Report

We have reported one case of improvement in word recognition score (WRS) and sentence recognition score (SRS) in an elderly hearing aid user who had difficulty in communicating with others even after having a hearing aid fitted. Six weeks of training was conducted using environmental sounds, stories, and questions. Auditory training was conducted twice a week in hearing aid fitting room and total training time in each session was 40 minutes, including checking hearing aids, pre-training counseling, auditory training, and post-training counseling. After three weeks of auditory training, the WRSs of the left and right ear with headphone were changed 28% to 48% and 28% to 40%, respectively. After six weeks of training, SRSs in the acoustic room were improved 47.5% to 77.5% with hearing aids on both sides. And the Korean version of profile of hearing aid benefit scores after six weeks of training were 15.3% for easy communication, 62.3% for background noise, 34.3% for aversiveness, and 50.0% for localization except reverberation situation. This study showed that an elderly hearing aid user has improved communication skills, despite the short period of training. In addition, various training tools and methods are required to ensure that the subject does not lose interest in auditory training, and if the duration and place for the auditory training are limited, a training application on a personal computer or smartphone may facilitate auditory training. Key Words: Auditory training, Environmental sound, Story and question, Neuroplasticity, Hearing loss 중심 단어: ì²­ëŠ¥í›ˆë ¨, 환경음, 이야기 답변, ì‹ ê²½ê°€ì†Œì„±, 난청

Does hearing aid use affect audiovisual integration in mild hearing impairment?

There is converging evidence for altered audiovisual integration abilities in hearing-impaired individuals and those with profound hearing loss who are provided with cochlear implants, compared to normal-hearing adults. Still, little is known on the effects of hearing aid use on audiovisual integration in mild hearing loss, although this constitutes one of the most prevalent conditions in the elderly and, yet, often remains untreated in its early stages. This study investigated differences in the strength of audiovisual integration between elderly hearing aid users and those with the same degree of mild hearing loss who were not using hearing aids, the non-users, by measuring their susceptibility to the sound-induced flash illusion. We also explored the corresponding window of integration by varying the stimulus onset asynchronies. To examine general group differences that are not attributable to specific hearing aid settings but rather reflect overall changes associated with habitual hearing aid use, the group of hearing aid users was tested unaided while individually controlling for audibility. We found greater audiovisual integration together with a wider window of integration in hearing aid users compared to their age-matched untreated peers. Signal detection analyses indicate that a change in perceptual sensitivity as well as in bias may underlie the observed effects. Our results and comparisons with other studies in normal-hearing older adults suggest that both mild hearing impairment and hearing aid use seem to affect audiovisual integration, possibly in the sense that hearing aid use may reverse the effects of hearing loss on audiovisual integration. We suggest that these findings may be particularly important for auditory rehabilitation and call for a longitudinal study.

Health-related quality of life in elderly hearing aid users vs. non-users

Background and aimPresbycusis, is usually a harbinger of aging. The negative consequences are not limited to an auditory impairment but influences a range of psychosocial and physical health concerns. The cornerstone of audiologic intervention is the use hearing aids. Optimal management should include an evaluation of quality of life (QoL) status and its assessment. Aim of this work: To quantify the quality of life of hearing impaired elderly individuals (HIEI) and to assess hearing aids impact on QoL. SubjectsElderly patients (1 2 7) above 60 years had sensorineural hearing loss ranged from mild to severe degree of hearing loss, only 24 of them (21.1%) were fitted with monaural hearing aid. MethodsEach subject of this study underwent basic audiologic evaluation, speech perception in noise, aided tonal sound field threshold and aided speech tests. Generic WHOQOL-BREF and hearing handicap inventory for the elderly (HHIE). ResultsThere were significant lower aided tonal sound field thresholds (ATSFTs) at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz of hearing aid users when compared with values of non-users at all tested frequencies. Hearing aid users perform better in all domains of WHO QOL-BREF with significant reductions in emotional, social and total scores of HHIE in users group compared with non-users indicated improvement in their QOL. There were no significant differences between scores of males and scores of females. The severity of the hearing loss had statistically significant effects on these scores for non-users but not in users group.

The Efficacy of Short-term Gated Audiovisual Speech Training for Improving Auditory Sentence Identification in Noise in Elderly Hearing Aid Users.

This study aimed to examine the efficacy and maintenance of short-term (one-session) gated audiovisual speech training for improving auditory sentence identification in noise in experienced elderly hearing-aid users. Twenty-five hearing aid users (16 men and 9 women), with an average age of 70.8 years, were randomly divided into an experimental (audiovisual training, n = 14) and a control (auditory training, n = 11) group. Participants underwent gated speech identification tasks comprising Swedish consonants and words presented at 65 dB sound pressure level with a 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio (steady-state broadband noise), in audiovisual or auditory-only training conditions. The Hearing-in-Noise Test was employed to measure participants’ auditory sentence identification in noise before the training (pre-test), promptly after training (post-test), and 1 month after training (one-month follow-up). The results showed that audiovisual training improved auditory sentence identification in noise promptly after the training (post-test vs. pre-test scores); furthermore, this improvement was maintained 1 month after the training (one-month follow-up vs. pre-test scores). Such improvement was not observed in the control group, neither promptly after the training nor at the one-month follow-up. However, no significant between-groups difference nor an interaction between groups and session was observed. Conclusion: Audiovisual training may be considered in aural rehabilitation of hearing aid users to improve listening capabilities in noisy conditions. However, the lack of a significant between-groups effect (audiovisual vs. auditory) or an interaction between group and session calls for further research.

Speech perception in noise in the elderly: interactions between cognitive performance, depressive symptoms, and education

IntroductionThe difficulty the elderly experience in understanding speech may be related to several factors including cognitive and perceptual performance. ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of cognitive performance, depressive symptoms, and education on speech perception in noise of elderly hearing aids users. MethodsThe sample consisted of 25 elderly hearing aids users in bilateral adaptation, both sexes, mean age 69.7 years. Subjects underwent cognitive assessment using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive and depressive symptoms evaluation using the Geriatric Depression Scale. The assessment of speech perception in noise (S/N ratio) was performed in free field using the Portuguese Sentence List test. Statistical analysis included the Spearman correlation calculation and multiple linear regression model, with 95% confidence level and 0.05 significance level. ResultsIn the study of speech perception in noise (S/N ratio), there was statistically significant correlation between education scores (p=0.018), as well as with the Mini-Mental State Examination (p=0.002), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive (p=0.003), and Geriatric Depression Scale (p=0.022) scores. We found that for a one-unit increase in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive score, the S/N ratio increased on average 0.15dB, and for an increase of one year in education, the S/N ratio decreased on average 0.40dB. ConclusionLevel of education, cognitive performance, and depressive symptoms influence the speech perception in noise of elderly hearing aids users. The better the cognitive level and the higher the education, the better is the elderly communicative performance in noise.

Satisfaction of Elderly Hearing Aid Users.

Introduction The impact of auditory sensory deprivation in the life of an individual is enormous because it not only affects one's ability to properly understand auditory information, but also the way people relate to their environment and their culture. The monitoring of adult and elderly subjects with hearing loss is intended to minimize the difficulties and handicaps that occur as a consequence of this pathology. Objective To evaluate the level of user satisfaction with hearing aids. Methods A clinical and experimental study involving 91 elderly hearing aid users. We used the questionnaire Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life to determine the degree of the satisfaction provided by hearing aids. We evaluated mean global score, subscales, as well as the variables time to use, age, and degree of hearing loss. Results Mean global score was 4.73, the score for Positive Effects 5.45, Negative Factors 3.2, demonstrating that they were satisfied; Services and Costs 5.98: very satisfied ; 3.65 Personal Image: dissatisfied. We observed statistically significant difference for the time of hearing aid use, age, and degree of hearing loss. Conclusion The SADL is a tool, simple and easy to apply and in this study we can demonstrate the high degree of satisfaction with the hearing aids by the majority of the sample collected, increasing with time of use and a greater degree of hearing loss.

Comparison of Gated Audiovisual Speech Identification in Elderly Hearing Aid Users and Elderly Normal-Hearing Individuals: Effects of Adding Visual Cues to Auditory Speech Stimuli.

The present study compared elderly hearing aid (EHA) users (n = 20) with elderly normal-hearing (ENH) listeners (n = 20) in terms of isolation points (IPs, the shortest time required for correct identification of a speech stimulus) and accuracy of audiovisual gated speech stimuli (consonants, words, and final words in highly and less predictable sentences) presented in silence. In addition, we compared the IPs of audiovisual speech stimuli from the present study with auditory ones extracted from a previous study, to determine the impact of the addition of visual cues. Both participant groups achieved ceiling levels in terms of accuracy in the audiovisual identification of gated speech stimuli; however, the EHA group needed longer IPs for the audiovisual identification of consonants and words. The benefit of adding visual cues to auditory speech stimuli was more evident in the EHA group, as audiovisual presentation significantly shortened the IPs for consonants, words, and final words in less predictable sentences; in the ENH group, audiovisual presentation only shortened the IPs for consonants and words. In conclusion, although the audiovisual benefit was greater for EHA group, this group had inferior performance compared with the ENH group in terms of IPs when supportive semantic context was lacking. Consequently, EHA users needed the initial part of the audiovisual speech signal to be longer than did their counterparts with normal hearing to reach the same level of accuracy in the absence of a semantic context.