Aid Experience Research Articles

Exploring adult hearing aid user experiences: meaning extraction methods, content patterns, and associations with demographic and outcome variables

Objective Employing automated language analysis, specifically Meaning Extraction Method (MEM) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), to identify key factors in open-text responses about hearing aid experiences. Design Exploratory, cross-sectional design, using an online questionnaire. Responses to a single open-ended question were analysed using MEM, PCA, regression, and correlation analyses. Study sample Participants (n = 538) included adult hearing aid users sampled from the Hearing Tracker website community and Lexie Hearing user databases in the United States. Results The MEM-derived items revealed six factors related to hearing aid experiences: (1) life change, (2) social situation, (3) quality of life, (4) impact and speech understanding, (5) communication and interaction, and (6) music and environmental sounds. IOI-HA item 3 had the most statistically significant correlations with PCA factors. Quantile regression revealed that factors one and two significantly predicted the IOI-HA total score. Positive correlations were observed between self-reported hearing difficulty and factors one, four, and five, as well as between factor one and general health and factor two and physical activity. Conclusion Natural language analysis of open-ended textual responses can offer valuable insights into hearing aid users’ experiences. Future studies should aim to refine this methodology to enhance clinical relevance and generalisability.

Hearing aid benefit in daily life: a qualitative ecological momentary assessment study

IntroductionUnderstanding hearing aid wearer experiences in real-world settings is important to provide responsive and individualized hearing care. This study aimed to describe real-life benefits of hearing aids (HAs), as reported by hearing aid wearers through Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) in various listening environments.MethodQualitative content analysis of 1,209 open-text responses, provided through self-initiated EMAs, was conducted. The de-identified data was collected retrospectively via a smartphone app compatible with these HAs. Only text responses reflecting positive hearing aid experiences were analyzed. The 1,209 open-text responses were categorized into 18 pre-determined sub-categories, further organized into five overarching categories: Conversational, Leisure, Device-related aspects, Lifestyle, and Other factors.ResultsAcross these categories, 48 self-generated meaning units highlighted the multifaceted benefits of HAs. In particular, participants reported significant improvements in conversational settings, specifically during phone conversations and meetings, attributed to improved sound quality and speech understanding when wearing their HAs. During leisure activities, particularly TV watching and music listening, clearer sound and ease of Bluetooth streaming contributed to experienced benefits. Lifestyle improvements were reported in occupational and social settings, as hearing aid wearers stated enhanced communication and sound awareness. Device-related factors contributing to positive wearer experiences included extended battery life and the convenience of rechargeable batteries. The most prominent sub-category, other factors, underscored overall satisfaction, comfort with the device, and improved auditory experiences across various environments.ConclusionThis study reveals the diverse benefits of HAs in improving communication, listening experiences, and quality of life across various settings, as captured through EMA. By emphasizing features like direct streaming and rechargeability, the findings highlight the importance of personalized hearing care and the potential of real-time listener feedback to inform device enhancements and support strategies, advancing more tailored and effective hearing rehabilitation.

Uncovering the effects of pandemic conditions on hearing aid experiences: a dual perspective from audiologists and hearing aid users

Purpose: This study examines the effects of the pandemic on hearing aid experiences from the perspectives of audiologists and patients, as well as communication challenges faced by both users and non-users of hearing aids. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of two phases: a longitudinal study examining the services provided by audiologists during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and after the first vaccination dose. The second phase involved a survey of 120 elderly individuals with hearing loss, divided into hearing aid users and non-users for assessing communication challenges. Data was collected from comprehensive audiology clinics using a series of checklists. Results: Analysis of the frequency of services related to hearing aids revealed that during the peak period, the majority of visits were for acquiring batteries and hearing aids, while fewer visits were for fitting and fine-tuning the devices. After vaccination the pattern was changed. In the second phase, significant differences were observed between the hearing aid users and non-users with regards to their ability to comprehend speech while wearing mask, communicating at a safe distance, and following TV news. Conclusions: The distribution of requested services differed during the peak period and the post-vaccination period. There was a noticeable increase in the purchase and fitting of hearing aids after vaccination. However, patients encountered difficulties due to the limited availability of tele-audiology services and delayed services from hearing aid companies. The benefits of hearing aids were impacted by the pandemic as many people did not seek adjustments for their devices.

Надання безоплатної правової допомоги населенню у процесі здійснювання навчальної діяльності: аспекти міжнародного та українського історичного досвіду

The article highlights the issues of international and Ukrainian historical experience of providing legal aid in general, and frees legal aid in the course of educational activities in particular. The author traces the peculiarities of this process from its origins to the present day. The author argues that the provision of free legal aid in the context of educational activities is a multifaceted process which, both in the world and in Ukraine, has been taking place for centuries in various forms and under the influence of various factors. It is emphasized that its undoubted prerequisite was the legalization of the legal profession and the establishment of an extensive system of legal education. The author emphasizes that these facts were the result of the growing importance of law in the process of regulation of social relations. The author analyzes the main stages and features of the European historical experience of legal aid in the period of Antiquity, theMiddle Ages and theModern era. The author also considers some historical experience of providing free legal aid in the context of educational activities which took place in Ukraine. The author proves that Ancient Rome was a pioneer in creating an extensive system of legal education and developing various forms of legal aid. The author establishes that the real establishment of the system of free legal aid, in particular, in the course of educational activities, took place only in the 1920s, and at first it was localized and limited mainly to the United States. It is argued that its implementation became possible as a result of a long scientific discussion in previous years, during which a new approach to legal training with a priority on practice was developed, and a form of such training – “legal clinic” – was found. The author shows that legal clinical education is considered to be one of the most effective today. The nature and peculiarities of the spread of legal clinical education, as well as the development of the relevant legal framework in Ukraine are traced.

Sensory Reactivity Through the Lived Experiences of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Exploratory Phenomenological Qualitative Study

Background: The current sensory assessment measures for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have issues related to cultural and clinical applicability, which makes them difficult to apply in the Indian context consistently. The current study aimed to explore locally relevant themes for sensory reactivity in children with ASD. Methods: This exploratory phenomenological qualitative study was carried out on 15 parents of children with ASD visiting the child guidance clinic. An in-depth interview (IDI) guide was prepared on the conceptual framework based on Dunn, as well as, Miller’s models, which was then further refined based upon the inputs from the experts (psychiatrists, child psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists) working with children with ASD. IDIs were conducted with parents of children with ASD. The data was recorded in audio and video format. It was transcribed and translated from Hindi to English. Coding was done manually, and themes were extracted. Results: The findings identified four superordinate themes: sensory hyperreactivity, sensory hyporeactivity, sensory seeking, and socio-emotional response. Conclusion: The lived experience of parents aids in identifying and describing dimensions of sensory reactivity in children with ASD. It will help further in developing a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of sensory reactivity in children with ASD.

Applied Research in Clinical Audiology with Spanish Speakers in the United States: A Scoping Review.

The Hispanic population is growing, and Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States. When individuals experience a hearing problem, culturally and linguistically responsive services represent an important part of person-centered care, contributing to wellbeing and intervention outcomes. The purpose was to identify research in clinical audiology conducted with Spanish speakers to illuminate gaps and inform future research. A scoping literature review. A database search was completed in January 2022. Included research was conducted in clinical audiology, had Spanish-speaking deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) adults/parents of a DHH child in the United States, Spanish language data collection, and published in English in a peer-reviewed journal. Studies were categorized by the area of audiology and a narrative description provided. The search identified 655 articles. Following screening, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria and 1 article was identified from the reference lists of included articles for a total 12 articles. The articles were published between 1997 and 2021. Most studies were conducted with adults and a few were with parents of DHH children. Research was conducted in four areas: hearing loss experiences, hearing aid experiences, hearing screening, and communication. There is limited research with Spanish-speaking DHH individuals and parents of DHH children. There is an urgent need for future research to inform culturally and linguistically responsive clinical practice, and to provide evidence-based interventions for effective hearing health care management.

Mental Health First Aid experiences: a qualitative investigation into the emotional impact of Mental Health First Aid responsibilities and the significance of self-compassion

Mental illness is increasingly imposing significant economic burdens, manifesting in various ways such as elevated business expenses due to absenteeism and staff turnover, as well as heightened pressure on healthcare services. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an effective tool to support people with ill mental health. This study explored the experiences of MHFA volunteers with the aim of enhancing understanding of how best to provide support for them. Twelve students who had completed the two-day MHFA training course participated in a semi-structured interview. Results indicated that being a Mental Health First Aider (MHFAer) was a responsibility highly valued by participants; however, data highlighted that anxiety associated with this role was of utmost significance. The study revealed the inherent compassion of MHFA volunteers; however, it also underscored that for many participants, this compassion came at the cost of neglecting self-compassion. This study suggests a need to enhance the support materials for MHFA volunteers, alongside a model of compassionate self-care for enhancing personal coping, health and wellbeing.

Impact of age at the second implantation, experience of amplification use, and long-term binaural experience on sound localization of children with bilateral cochlear implants

ObjectivesTo assess the influence of three factors using retrospective chart review: age at which 2nd cochlear implant (CI) is implanted, prior hearing aid (HA) experience in the 2nd CI ear, and long-term experience with bilateral cochlear implants (BICIs) on sound localization in children with sequential BICIs. MethodsMean absolute error (MAE) in localizing speech noise of 60 children with sequential BICIs was compared across four age groups of the 2nd CI (1–5.0; 5.1–10.0; 10.1–14.0; & 14.1–19.0 years) and two extents of prior HA experience (more than and less than one year). MAE was also longitudinally analyzed after 4–6 years of experience with BICI involving 18 participants out of 60. ResultsChildren who received 2nd CI before five years of age demonstrated significantly better localization than those who received it after ten years of age. More than one year of prior HA experience in the 2nd CI ear and extensive experience with sequential BICIs significantly enhanced localization performance. Inter-implant intervals and age at the 2nd CI showed a significant positive correlation with the MAE (poorer localization). ConclusionThe results indicate that age at 2nd CI is important in developing sound localization skills. Based on the results, obtaining 2nd CI within the first five years of life and no later than ten years old is recommended. The results also suggest that longer use of amplification before 2nd CI and prolonged BICI experience significantly fosters localization development.

Improving health service design and delivery for men: does gender targeting matter?

PurposeConsumer well-being in health-care settings is often undermined by information asymmetries, uncertainty and complex choices. Men are generally less motivated to adopt support tools designed to facilitate shared decision-making (SDM) and increase involvement in health service delivery. This study aims to examine the effects of sports team metaphors in a male-centered decision aid on empowerment and preparedness within a sleep apnea treatment context, a common disease among men. Individual-level factors that influence the decision aid experience are also considered.Design/methodology/approachAn online panel sample of 296 US men was randomly assigned to a generic or gender targeted decision aid. The scenario-based method was used to simulate the decision aid experience. A one-way MANOVA tested the effects of gender targeting on SDM-related outcomes. Structural equation modeling was then undertaken to analyze relationships between self-construal and these outcomes.FindingsParticipants who experienced the gender-targeted decision aid reported higher levels of empowerment and preparedness. The positive relationship between collective interdependence and empowerment was stronger among those who received the targeted decision aid. The positive relationship between empowerment and preparedness was also significantly stronger in the targeted group. Empowerment mediated the effect of self-construal on preparedness.Originality/valueLittle to no research has evaluated the effectiveness of sports team metaphors in improving SDM and facilitating health-care value cocreation. Results provide insight into how to enhance service design and delivery for men facing medical decisions.

Relationship between stigma and infertility-related stress among couples undergoing AID: The mediating role of communication patterns.

Infertility can be stressful for infertile couples. This study aims to examine the intra-dyadic associations between stigma, communication patterns, and infertility-related stress in couples undergoing artificial insemination by donor semen (AID). This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2021. Two hundred and three couples undergoing AID were recruited from a reproductive centre in China. All of the couples completed a two-item stigma questionnaire, Communication Pattern Questionnaire, and Fertility Problem Inventory. The actor-partner interdependence mediation analysis was performed using AMOS 23.0. The analysis demonstrated significant actor-actor effects for couples undergoing AID. More specifically, higher levels of stigma among wives and husbands were associated with more negative communication patterns, thereby increasing their own infertility-related stress. Simultaneously, there was a significant partner-actor effect among infertile wives, demonstrating that the husband's stigma can affect his wife's infertility-related stress by influencing her communication patterns. Couples undergoing AID experience increased infertility-related stress when they have high levels of stigma and negative communication patterns, and husbands' stigma is correlated to wives' communication patterns. Therefore, dyadic interventions aiming to improving stigma and enhancing positive communication may be conducive to reducing infertility-related stress.

Quality of Visual Aids and The Engagement of Learners in the Teaching and Learning Process

The main purpose of the study was to determine the quality of visual aids and the engagement of learners inside the classroom. Descriptive quantitative research was designed to measure the quality of visual aids and the engagement of learners in the teaching and learning process, with 37 students under the grade 10 at Gov. Felicisimo T. San Luis Integrated Senior High School as respondent. A survey questionnaire through google forms was used to gather the needed data to find out the relationship between the quality of visual aids and the engagement of learners in the teaching and learning process. The questionnaire provided insight into the learners’ opinions and experiences with visual aids in English subjects. The researchers found out that there is a significant relationship between the quality of visual aids and the engagement of learners of grade 10 students at Gov. Felicisimo T. San Luis Integrated Senior High School. The researchers' recommendation was to focus on conducting more training and professional development for teachers. Schools can organize workshops, seminars, or training sessions to educate teachers on the use of visual aids. These are based on the results of the study, which show that the quality of visual aids highly relationship with the engagement of learners, as well as on the data gathered from the learners' perceptions and experiences of visual aids in English subjects.

The Impact of BABA: Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) Tool: Beyond Spreadsheet Simple Statistics

This study evaluates the effectiveness and user experience of the Business Analytic Basic Aid (BABA) Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) tool compared to manual MAD calculations using Excel among students. Initially, students were taught to perform MAD calculations manually with Excel, followed by an introduction to the BABA automated MAD tool. A survey was conducted to assess various aspects of usability, complexity, and overall experience with both methods. Survey results indicated a general preference for the BABA automated MAD tool, with high ratings for ease of use (mean: 3.96) and quick learning (mean: 4.06). However, the tool was perceived as somewhat complex (mean: 2.88), and students expressed a need for technical support (mean: 3.36). Despite these challenges, confidence in using the tool was high (mean: 3.78), and students appreciated its well-integrated functions (mean: 3.88).The findings suggest that while the BABA automated MAD tool provides significant advantages over manual calculations, further refinements and user support are needed to address its complexities. The study highlights the potential for improved learning outcomes and efficiency in statistical analysis through the adoption of automated tools in educational settings, offering valuable insights for educators and tool developers.

The Impact of Empathy and Fear on Solidarity during a Pandemic

It is believed that solidarity is motivated by positive collective feelings (group cohesion, social responsibility, etc.), as well as by individual empathy of group members. Motivation may change vector if all members of society are potential victims of a pandemic. An analysis of data obtained from an online survey of 331 Russian-speaking respondents (19 countries) from March 2021 to April 2023 revealed a weak link between empathy (both affective and cognitive) and the solidarity attitudes on safe behavior. On the contrary, a significant correlation was found between negative Ego-feelings (fear for oneself and health) and the expression of the most important solidarity attitudes -wearing masks, social distancing and vaccination. This contradicts the old tradition of considering individual empathy as the principal factor of collective solidarity. In particular, the bodily metaphor of rapprochement, embracing with others, which is the core of empathy, contradicts the requirement of physical distance. A positive correlation was also noted between the pronouncement of solidarity attitudes and the experience of material aid to strangers. Fears for oneself and empathy for others are experiences with opposite vectors. Fears can block empathy. Thus, the phenomenon of synchronous behavior of people, similar to solidarity, but with nonspecific negative motivation, was discovered. We believe that solidarity-like activity should be distinguished from conscious, trained solidarity based on the belief that suffering and unprotected groups and people need to be supported by the state and other citizens.

Customer Archetypes in Hearing Health Care.

The purpose of this study is to determine if there are unique customer archetypes that can describe the motivations behind consumer buying choice (in person or online) for hearing aids in hearing health care. A consumer survey was developed from themes that arose during 11 semistructured interviews with adults who had no previous hearing aid experience. Using Qualtrics research panels, a 28-item questionnaire was distributed online to U.S. residents above the age of 50 years with no previous hearing aid experience. A quota of 1,000 completed responses was set, with a maximum of 70% of respondents identifying as White. Completed surveys were obtained from 1,377 individuals. Three hundred forty responses were excluded due to ineligibility and/or poor response quality. Two unique customer archetypes were developed using five factors identified in the data set: Physician Trust, Sociability, Comfort Buying Online, Verify Sources, and Reliance on Others. Eighty-four percent of respondents chose an in-person pathway for hearing health care. There was no association between customer archetype and pathway selection choice. The two archetypes reflect those with greater comfort with consuming health care online and in person, respectively. However, both archetypes are likely to use in-person models of hearing health care at the present time. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24431212.

At-home computerized executive-function training to improve cognition and mobility in normal-hearing adults and older hearing aid users: a multi-centre, single-blinded randomized controlled trial

Background Hearing loss predicts cognitive decline and falls risk. It has been argued that degraded hearing makes listening effortful, causing competition for higher-level cognitive resources needed for secondary cognitive or motor tasks. Therefore, executive function training has the potential to improve cognitive performance, in turn improving mobility, especially when older adults with hearing loss are engaged in effortful listening. Moreover, research using mobile neuroimaging and ecologically valid measures of cognition and mobility in this population is limited. The objective of this research is to examine the effect of at-home cognitive training on dual-task performance using laboratory and simulated real-world conditions in normal-hearing adults and older hearing aid users. We hypothesize that executive function training will lead to greater improvements in cognitive-motor dual-task performance compared to a wait-list control group. We also hypothesize that executive function training will lead to the largest dual-task improvements in older hearing aid users, followed by normal-hearing older adults, and then middle-aged adults.MethodsA multi-site (Concordia University and KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network) single-blinded randomized controlled trial will be conducted whereby participants are randomized to either 12 weeks of at-home computerized executive function training or a wait-list control. Participants will consist of normal-hearing middle-aged adults (45–60 years old) and older adults (65–80 years old), as well as older hearing aid users (65–80 years old, ≥ 6 months hearing aid experience). Separate samples will undergo the same training protocol and the same pre- and post-evaluations of cognition, hearing, and mobility across sites. The primary dual-task outcome measures will involve either static balance (KITE site) or treadmill walking (Concordia site) with a secondary auditory-cognitive task. Dual-task performance will be assessed in an immersive virtual reality environment in KITE’s StreetLab and brain activity will be measured using functional near infrared spectroscopy at Concordia’s PERFORM Centre.DiscussionThis research will establish the efficacy of an at-home cognitive training program on complex auditory and motor functioning under laboratory and simulated real-world conditions. This will contribute to rehabilitation strategies in order to mitigate or prevent physical and cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss.Trial registrationIdentifier: NCT05418998. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05418998

Role of early hearing aid experience in speech recognition in patients with bilateral congenital microtia following Bonebridge implantation: a retrospective cohort study.

To identify audiological and demographic variables that predict speech recognition abilities in patients with bilateral microtia who underwent Bonebridge (BB) implantation. Fifty patients with bilateral microtia and bilateral conductive hearing loss (CHL) who underwent BB implantation were included. Demographic data, preoperative hearing aid use experience, and audiological outcomes (including pure-tone hearing threshold, sound field hearing threshold [SFHT], and speech recognition ability) for each participant were obtained. The Chinese-Mandarin Speech Test Materials were used to test speech recognition ability. The word recognition score (WRS) of disyllabic words at 65dB SPL signals was measured before and after BB implantation in quiet and noisy conditions. The mean preoperative WRS under quiet and noisy conditions was 10.44 ± 12.73% and 5.90 ± 8.76%, which was significantly improved to 86.38 ± 9.03% and 80.70 ± 11.34%, respectively, following BB fitting. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that lower preoperative SFHT suggested higher preoperative WRS under both quiet and noisy conditions. Higher age at implantation predicted higher preoperative WRS under quiet conditions. Furthermore, patients with more preoperative hearing aid experience and lower postoperative SFHT were more likely to have higher postoperative WRS under both quiet and noisy testing conditions. This study represents the first attempt to identify predictors of preoperative and postoperative speech recognition abilities in patients with bilateral microtia with BB implantation. These findings emphasize that early hearing intervention before implantation surgery, combined with appropriate postoperative fitting, contributes to optimal benefits in terms of postoperative speech recognition ability.

Aid is not development: The true character of Pacific aid

AbstractMotivationYou need not look far to read stories extolling the virtues, promises, and achievements of aid to the Pacific, but such stories are far from lived experience or empirical reality. There are other often silenced stories, stories that need to be heard. They speak of broken promises and obfuscation, oppressive bureaucratic conditions, and private contractors competing for profit off the back of the Pacific's poor and vulnerable people.PurposeThis article seeks to uncover something of the true character of aid, how it has changed (over the past decade) and how donors, their intermediaries, and Pacific recipients have responded.Methods and approachWe use our ethnographic and auto‐ethnographic insights to explore repressed stories; insights drawn from seven decades of collective experiences and observations of Australian aid, Australia being the region's largest and most significant donor.FindingsWe see three clear shifts in Australian aid over the last decade: (1) aid has become more politicized, deployed to support Australian interests; (2) aid has been increasingly privatized as much of the aid has been spent through four large Australian and international corporations—with local Pacific companies marginalized; and (3) aid has been increasingly contested by the peoples of the Pacific.Such changes have encouraged donors to tighten their grip on power. They have encouraged intermediaries to act as their agents, performing high levels of “interpretive labour.” They compete for donor custom and favour.Recipients of aid have been left with few options: they can comply with donors, thanking them for their generosity. They may resent the way they have been stripped of agency, perhaps looking to China for a different relationship.Aid of this character is not development. Rather, it is an unchecked donor‐driven system, beset by excessive power and control to benefit the system and its agents. Such aid may result in some success, but it systematically fails to empower Pacific agency and to reduce aid dependency.Policy implicationsA magnitude of change is required. We recommend more space for reflection on the lived experience of aid and on those generative, transformative initiatives occurring outside the aid system.We urge recipients of aid to take responsibility for development; to demand reform to see platitudes around listening, respect, and partnership become something more than words on a page; to ensure aid invests in long‐term development aligned to Pacific plans and priorities on Pacific terms—or to reject aid outright.

Организация оказания первой помощи раненым военнослужащим в зоне вооруженного конфликта

Summary. The objectives of the study are to analyze the role of knowledge and skills acquired by servicemen when they render first aid to the wounded in combat conditions; to study the structure of sanitary losses in a military unit in the zone of Special Military Operation. Materials and research methods. Materials of the study are the experience of first aid in combat conditions. On the battlefield, various medical means of defense were used to provide first aid to the wounded. Soldiers, who were wounded, used first aid kits individual medical AI-3-1BC as a means of self-help. Sanitary straps, cloak tents and improvised means were used for medical evacuation of the wounded to a safe zone. Belts, ropes and other available materials were used as improvised means. In the field, the servicemen were trained to: search for the wounded; in case of various external bleeding — to apply hemostatic tourniquets, tourniquets, compression bandages, aseptic bandages on wounds; in case of injuries — to immobilize limbs. In case of wounds and traumas, intramuscular injection of anesthetic agents contained in a syringe-tube was performed. Medical evacuation of the wounded to a safe zone was carried out with observance of safety measures — both for the wounded and for the first aid provider. Research methods were analytical, statistical and field observation methods. Results of the study and their analysis. In the zone of the Special Military Operation the enemy actively uses remote and combined methods of defeat, which creates difficulties in the medical evacuation of wounded servicemen from the battlefield. During the first two hours after being wounded, about 11.0% of the wounded were received at triage points; between two and 6 hours, no more than 11.0% of the wounded were received. Most of the wounded arrived at triage points at later dates. In the structure of sanitary losses, the share of shrapnel wounds was 79.0%; bullet wounds — 10.0%; non-combat-related injuries and somatic diseases — 11.0%. The wounds were mixed and combined by nature. The share of severe wounds amounted to 23.0%; the share of moderate wounds — 50.0; the share of light wounds — 27.0%. It is concluded that timely and competent rendering of first aid to the wounded on the line of contact with the enemy is of paramount importance for saving lives of servicemen.

Hearing aids with tinnitus sound support reduce tinnitus severity for new and experienced hearing aid users

ObjectiveThis interventional study tested the hypothesis that hearing aids with a tinnitus sound support feature would reduce the impact of tinnitus for both new and experienced hearing aid users over a 12-week trial period.MethodsA total of 19 experienced hearing aid users and 21 participants with no previous hearing aid experience completed the study. Hearing aids were fitted and dispensed with tinnitus masking sounds adjusted to individual preferences. The primary outcome measure was the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) score change between baseline and the end of the 12-week trial. This trial was registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, trial ID: ACTRN12621001754831.ResultsThe TFI scores and secondary measures indicated significant improvements (reductions in tinnitus impact) at the end of the trial compared to the baseline for both experienced and new hearing aid users. Since no group differences were observed, pooled data are presented in this study. The median TFI total score before treatment was 49.0 (IQR = 40.0), and the median TFI total score after treatment was 26.0 (IQR = 26.0). A significant reduction (p = 0.0001) in the total TFI score of 24 points was observed after treatment, producing a large effect size (d = 0.60).ConclusionsThe results confirm previous findings that hearing aids assist in reducing the impact of tinnitus on daily life. The Oticon miniRITE R combination hearing aids used in this study resulted in similar improvements for both new and existing hearing aid users. This suggests that the tinnitus-reducing effects of these aids were greater than those already being used by participants.

Early Earthquake Disaster Response Management: The BSMI Humanitarian Aid Experience in Turkey

On February 6, 2023, the regions of Turkey and Syria were struck by a devastating earthquake during the winter season, resulting in numerous casualties, injuries, displacement, and infrastructure damage. In response, the Turkish president appealed for international assistance, prompting the Indonesian Red Crescent to deploy a humanitarian aid team. The methods employed encompassed three stages: preparation, implementation, and evaluation. The implementation phase involved coordination, collaboration, and the distribution of humanitarian aid. The distribution of essential items such as ready-to-eat food, winter clothing, and medicine took place in Hatay Province and Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Effective coordination was established with the governments of Indonesia and Turkey, alongside collaboration with humanitarian agencies and Turkish medical organizations. Additionally, plans for the subsequent deployment of the medical team were reviewed. All activities were successfully executed and received positive feedback. The Indonesian Red Crescent successfully provided crucial assistance in response to the earthquake disaster in Turkey. The efforts encompassed various aspects, including aid distribution, coordination with relevant authorities, collaboration with partner organizations, and future planning. The outcomes achieved were noteworthy and yielded a positive impact.