Hearing Handicap Research Articles

The Effectiveness of an Interactive Video-Based Program in Developing the Skills of Comparing and Ordering Numbers Among Individuals with Hearing Disabilities

The aim of the current research is to enhance the skills of comparing and ordering numbers through the utilization of interactive videos among students with hearing disabilities, including those who are hearing impaired or deaf. Employing a quasi-experimental design, the study adopts a one-group pretest-posttest approach, involving (12) students who received instruction through interactive videos. Initially, pretest measures were administered, followed by the experimental intervention, and subsequently, posttest evaluations of comparing and ordering number skills were conducted. The study employed specific tools, including a test assessing comparing and ordering numbers skills, as well as an interactive video program. The findings of the study underscore the efficacy of the interactive video-based training program in fostering the development of comparing and ordering number skills among the sampled individuals. Moreover, the research revealed no statistically significant disparities, at a significance level of 0.05, in the posttest scores among students, attributed to variations in the severity of their disabilities. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were observed, at the same significance level, between the posttest scores and those obtained during the follow-up assessment, indicating the sustained effectiveness of the program over time. In conclusion, the study culminates in a series of recommendations and proposed avenues for further research in this domain.

Pediatric Hearing Loss and the Multidisciplinary Approach. The Hearing Disability Team (HDT) Experience

Hearing loss is among the utmost common disorders in children and a late diagnosis can impact language and cognitive development. With the aim of implementing an early hearing detection program (EHDP), the Emilia Romagna region has officially approved, since 2012, a NHS program distinguishing well babies and NICU children. Aim of this study is to evaluate the results of the application of these regional guidelines through data flow from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Data of children born between 2012 and 2018 and admitted to the service in the same period were collected, 84 children (56 males,28 females) were enrolled; 65% of the children were taken in charge by CAMHS within the first year of life. Concerning the NHS results, 77 (91%) children resulted fail at the screening test (6 unilateral fails), while the result was not available in one case; 6 children resulted pass. Most cases, 79 (94%), presented bilateral hearing loss. In particular, 14 (17.8%) children had a profound hearing loss, 10 (12.6%) a severe hearing loss, 10 (12.6%) a mild hearing loss (6 were conductive), 22 (27.8%) a moderate hearing loss, and 23 (29.2%) a moderate/severe hearing loss. Finally, 5 resulted affected by unilateral hearing loss (2 profound hearing loss, 3 severe). This study confirmed that regional recommendations about early diagnosis of hearing loss have been applied and most children accessed the CAMHS timely. To this aim synergism between hospital and territorial services, determining the implementation of the organization system was the keystone.

Tools for telehealth: A correlational analysis of app-based hearing testing.

Telehealth evaluation of hearing is rapidly evolving; however, the lack of consensus on the most accurate remote hearing test application has made hearing evaluation complicated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the pure tone audiometry results obtained from app-based hearing testing programs and a traditional audiogram. A prospective within-subject and between-subject study design was used to correlate audiogram results between app-based hearing programs and a traditional audiogram. All participants completed a traditional audiogram, 1 commercial app-based test (ShoeBox), 2 consumer app-based tests (EarTrumpet and Hearing Test and Ear Age Test [HTEAT]), and a Hearing Handicap Inventory screening version (HHI-S). Testing was conducted in an acoustically controlled environment (traditional) and a quiet room (app-based hearing tests). A total of 39 participants were enrolled in the study (21 with normal hearing and 18 with hearing loss). In patients with normal hearing, only the commercial hearing testing app (ShoeBox) had a statistically significant pure tone average correlation in both ears with traditional audiometry (Right ear-r = 0.7, p = .005, Left ear-r = 0.66, p = .001). Both consumer and commercial apps had statistically significant correlations with both ears in patients with hearing loss (ranging from r = 0.62 to r = 0.9). Regarding accuracy within 10 dB of the pure tone average of the traditional audiogram of all tested ears, the commercial app-based test was accurate in 94% for all ears (normal and hearing loss), while consumer app-based tests were between 14% and 36% for all ears. The HHI-S indicated no hearing impairment in 95% of those with normal hearing and indicated hearing impairment in 89% of those with hearing loss. Commercial-grade app-based pure tone audiometry demonstrates overall strong correlation and accuracy with traditional audiometry. The HHI-S assessment remains a valid and useful tool to predict normal hearing and hearing impairment. 2.

Deterioration of Hearing Due to Hearing Aids.

A primary reason for the low adoption of hearing aids (HAs) among the large population with sensorineural hearing loss is the perception that these devices may negatively impact remaining hearing ability. Research addressing this issue has yielded conflicting results. This study examined the long-term effects of HAs on standard audiometric changes in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. We retrospectively analyzed patients who acquired unilateral HAs between 2015 and 2017 and demonstrated consistent use over a 5-year period. We examined demographics, medical comorbidities, audiometric data, and questionnaire results from the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids. Additionally, we reviewed each patient's history of noise exposure and prior HA use. The study included 55 patients who used unilateral HAs, with a mean follow-up period of 5.32 years. Among them, 31 patients (56.4%) used the HA on the right side. Audiometric data from the aided side showed no significant difference from the unaided side in either the pre-fit pure-tone average of air conduction (AC) or word recognition score (WRS) (P =0.73 and P =0.11, respectively). Similarly, no significant differences were noted in the 5-year follow-up audiometry of AC and WRS (P=0.98 and P=0.07, respectively) or in the change from pre-fit to final audiometry for either parameter (AC, P=0.58; WRS, P=0.70). Eleven patients (20%) exhibited a deterioration in hearing (as measured by AC) of 5 dB or greater on the aided side compared with the unaided side, while 23 (53.5%) showed greater WRS deterioration on the aided side. No significant factors were found to contribute to the difference in hearing deterioration between groups for either AC or WRS. No significant factors were identified as contributing to hearing deterioration after prolonged HA use. Overall, the use of HAs did not adversely impact residual hearing.

Impacts of social media use on occupations of youths with hearing disability in a special education school in upper northern Thailand

Background: Social media have been used increasingly in the daily lives of the global population. Youths with hearing disability participate in many activities through social media, as do those in general. However, due to their hearing loss, they may experience different impacts, particularly in the special education context. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of social media use on occupations of youths with hearing disability, and the relationship of activity limitation and participation restriction in the special education school context. Materials and methods: The participants comprised 92 youths with hearing disability, who were studying in a special education school. The research instrument was a questionnaire in two forms: paper-based and a sign language video clip. It was presented with acceptable content validity (IOC=0.60-1.00), good internal consistency reliability (α=0.88) and moderate stability reliability (ICC=0.70). Results: Results showed that most of the participants had their own smart phone and used a hearing aid for access to social media. Frequency of social media use was daily for 1-3 hour(s) per day. Overall, most of the participants had no activity limitation or participation restriction in their occupations, but they showed a minimal level of limitation and restriction in education. In terms of social media use, most of the youths presented a positive impact on occupations, particularly in social participation. The overall results indicated the relationship between activity limitation and participation restriction and impacts of social media use on occupations (r= -0.293, p=0.005). When considering each type of occupation, the results indicated the relationships of education, work, and social participation significantly. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed the relationship between activity limitation and participation restriction and overall impacts of social media use on occupations. These findings were applied to social media use, particularly in parts of the text and virtual networks, as an optional channel for providing occupational therapy services and accessing meaningful occupations for youths with hearing disability.

The Effect of Bimodal Hearing on Postoperative Quality of Life

Plain Language SummaryThis study investigated how using both a cochlear implant (CI) and a hearing aid (HA) in the other ear, known as bimodal stimulation, affects patient’s hearing-related quality of life after receiving a CI. We hoped our work could potentially encourage greater HA use among bimodal candidates. Researchers prospectively followed 15 individuals, with an average age of 65.6 years, and asked them to fill out surveys before their CI surgery, and then again 1, 3, and 6 months after they started using both devices. Patients used both the CI and HA around 97–98% time. Their ability to locate where sounds were coming from significantly improved by 1 month postop, although sound quality did not meaningfully change. Patients’ hearing handicap score substantially decreased by 3 months postop, meaning they had improved hearing-related quality of life. Their listening effort scores also significantly decreased by 6 months, and at that time point, patient survey responses demonstrated a subjective preference for using both devices rather than either device alone. Overall, using both a CI and a HA together generally improves hearing-related quality of life, listening effort, and sound localization early in the postoperative period. Our study suggests that patients should be encouraged to use their CI and HA for at least 6 months postoperatively because over time they may see additional benefits and improved satisfaction using both devices compared to their CI alone.

Cross-sectional study of prevalence and correlates of fear of falling in the older people in residential care in India: the Hyderabad Ocular Morbidity in Elderly Study (HOMES)

ObjectiveTo report the prevalence and risk factors for the fear of falling (FOF) among older individuals living in residential care facilities in India.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingHomes for the aged centres in Hyderabad,...

Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of the Communication Acceptance Scale Questionnaire

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop the Korean version of the Communication and Acceptance Scale (KCAS) and to examine its validity and reliability.Methods: The 18 items of the Communication and Acceptance Scale questionnaire were translated into Korean following the steps of forward translation, expert panel review, back-translation, pre-testing, cognitive interviewing, and final version refinement. For the test-retest evaluation of the KCAS, 39 adults with hearing loss participated. Concurrent validity was also assessed by evaluating the Korean Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (KHHIE).Results: The KCAS was constructed with a total of 16 question items after excluding 2 items (2 and 18) that failed reliability tests. Cronbach’s α for all 16 items was 0.89, and the Wilcoxon-Signed rank test indicated test-retest reliability. A significant negative correlation (rho = -0.77) was observed between KCAS and KHHIE.Conclusion: The KCAS questionnaire has been demonstrated to be a reliable and valid tool. It is also useful for assessing communication difficulties and the utilization of communication strategies among the hearing impaired.

Expressive Sign Language Recognition using CNN

A major shortcoming in our society is a social barrier between the differently abled members of the society and the abled folks. One of the most important aspects of human beings, being regarded as social animals, is in fact communication. Communication is also a major obstacle faced by the hearing and vocal disabilities people. This inability to communicate leads to frequent problems and hinders the daily activities of a person with hearing and vocal disabilities. The underlying reason for this disparity is that abled folks don’t learn and aren’t taught Sign Language which is the main means of communication for a person with hearing and vocal disabilities. Thus, abled folks are incapable of having a normally fluent conversation with these different sections of the society. Consequently, in a verbal exchange among hearing and speech impaired individuals and an able person the convenience of communique and consequently the consolation degree is hampered. So, in our project, we have proposed a cost-efficient solution to overcome this communication barrier. This solution can be easily used by everyone and can also be, with some modifications, made to work on most platforms which have a camera module. Our approach uses the integrated camera module to capture real time hand gestures based on hand key points or landmarks and the algorithm using machine learning techniques, displays the alphabet that the gesture is representing. KEY WORDS: Convolution Neural Network, Transfer Learning, Deep Learning, Artificial Neural Network, Support Vector Machines

Accessibility of communication and information for people with sensory disabilities in the libraries of Azogues

In contemporary societies, accessibility constitutes a fundamental element to achieve the inclusion of people with disabilities; which should not only be addressed in a focused manner on a particular dimension, but on the contrary should be managed comprehensively, both in physical and virtual spaces. However, there are still institutions in which the basic conditions to guarantee accessibility for people with sensory disabilities have not been met, as is the case of the libraries of the city of Azogues. Therefore, this article was carried out with the objective of evaluating the accessibility of communication and information for people with sensory disabilities in the libraries of Azogues. A methodology was applied based on an ethnographic design, with a mixed approach and descriptive scope; The population was considered to be those in charge of the libraries located in Azogues, and non-probabilistic convenience sampling was also applied to select 30 people with sensory disabilities. As identified, the personnel of these entities do not have training in sign language, which limits communication with people with hearing disabilities, nor do they have materials available in Braille or audiobooks so that people with visual disabilities can access the information. information. It concludes on the gaps that have prevailed in terms of accessibility and inclusion, which makes it difficult to provide library services for people with disabilities, aspects that must be corrected.

Gesture generation by the robotic hand for aiding speech and hard of hearing persons based on indian sign language

Speech and hearing impairments are among the most common problems in Indian societies. It can affect anyone, whether children, adults, or more. Many different treatments can help to overcome hearing problems. Different types of hearing aids and cochlear implants help amplify sounds for better hearing. The type of language known as sign language is very scientific and has its grammar and syntax. Still, due to a need for more awareness among hard-of-hearing persons, they need to be made familiar with the institutions where they can learn and equip themselves for communication. This paper describes an approach to aid speech and hard-of-hearing persons so that they are free to communicate with persons who do not have speech and hearing disabilities based on the Indian Sign Language System. To find an appropriate solution, there is a need to develop a system that can act as an interpreter for speech and hard-of-hearing persons. The interpreter system is designed with the help of the Robotic hand model and is programmed using Raspberry Pi 4. Based on the experimental results, it can be observed that the robotic hands generated different signs of the alphabet corresponding to the speech commands uttered by an individual. Several experimental trials were conducted by ten persons who do not have any hearing disabilities. The results of the five experimental trials are shown in this paper. The estimation of performance parameters and statistical analysis are also carried out to analyze better and interpret the experimental results. Based on the experimental results, the proposed robotic hand interpreter system model accurately generates gestures corresponding to different alphabets used in the Indian Sign Language system, yielding an overall accuracy of 94 percent.

Accessible Educational Resources: Assistive Technology and Information Design Promoting Educational Inclusion for People with Hearing Disabilities

This article explores how accessible educational resources, assistive technology and information design can collaborate to promote the educational inclusion of people with hearing impairments. Combining these approaches contributes to the understanding of content, engagement and participation of students with hearing impairment, as well as enhancing their communication and interaction, raising self-esteem and confidence. This study aims to investigate how these resources can promote the educational inclusion of people with hearing impairment, identifying their capabilities and limitations and proposing strategies to improve accessibility and quality of life in the educational environment. The methodology employed will be the systematic literature review (RBL). It is concluded the importance of these approaches for the educational and social inclusion of people with hearing impairment. Investments in research and development of these resources are fundamental to promote the inclusion of these people on equal terms in society.

Impact of patient attributes on the relationship between hearing handicap and readiness to pursue audiologic rehabilitation

Objective This study explored whether select patient attributes were significant predictors of readiness to pursue hearing aids (HAs) and estimated the impacts of hearing aid self-efficacy (HASE) and emotional states, on the relationship between perceived hearing handicap and readiness to pursue HAs. Design & study sample Sixty-two adults with self-reported hearing difficulties and no previous experience with HAs self-reported their hearing handicap, HASE, personality, emotional states in varying contexts, and readiness to pursue HAs. Results Individuals with greater hearing handicap and who had experienced hearing loss for a shorter duration were more ready to pursue HAs. Having higher HASE, more positive emotional states in “Social” situations, higher scores for the Agreeableness, and having lower Conscientiousness personality trait scores also independently predicted readiness. Neither HASE nor reported emotional states had a significant impact on the relationship between perceived hearing handicap and readiness to pursue HAs. Conclusions Certain patient characteristics independently motivate people towards or away from pursuing HAs. However, it remains unclear whether targeted modification of these attributes would directly facilitate behaviour change. Future research should further explore these questions to facilitate a more individualised audiologic rehabilitation.

Early Detection of Hearing Loss among the Elderly.

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a complex communication disorder that affects the cochlea and central auditory pathway. The goal of this study is to characterize this type of hearing loss and to identify non-invasive, inexpensive, and quick tests to detect ARHL among elderly adults, seeking to preserve quality of life and reduce the burden on healthcare systems. An observational, prospective study is conducted with >55-year-old subjects divided into the following groups: normal range (Group A), detected but not treated (Group B), and detected and treated (Group C). During follow-up, Speech Spatial Qualities (SSQ12), and Hearing Handicap Inventory in the Elderly Screening test (HHIE-S) questionnaires were assessed, along with hearing levels (hearing thresholds at 4 kHz were studied in more depth), and a series of tests and questionnaires to assess balance, cognitive level, level of dependence, and depression. A total of 710 patients were included in this study. The duration of hearing loss (11.8 yr. in Group B and 21.0 yr. in Group C) and average time-to-treatment for Group C (14.1 yr.) are both protracted. Both of the used questionnaires show statistically significant differences among the groups, revealing greater handicaps for Group C. Audiometry performed at 4 kHz shows how hearing loss progresses with age, finding differences between men and women. There is a correlation between time-to-treatment in Group C and the cognitive test DSST (-0.26; p = 0.003). HHIE-S, SSQ12, and 4 kHz audiometry are sensitive and feasible tests to implement in screening programs.

Students’ Experiences When Using Real-Time Automated Captions and Subtitles in Live Online Presentations: A Phenomenological Study

According to the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, as a text-based alternative to auditory information in videos or presentations, captions can make the content equally accessible, and multilingual subtitles can promote a cross-linguistic understanding of the content. We conducted a phenomenological study to understand the common meaning of the participants’ experiences when using real-time automated captions/subtitles during live online class presentations. Twenty-four remote student participants were placed in three study groups. All participants were fluent in spoken and written English, eight could read in one or more additional languages, and none had a hearing disability. We used Microsoft PowerPoint Present Live via Zoom to deliver the online presentation to each group with real-time automated captions/subtitles, and then we conducted a focus group session with each group. Ten themes emerged and were clustered into three overarching themes: challenges, benefits, and interactions with subtitles. Overall, participants described a positive experience, perceiving the captions/subtitles as useful and accurate. Participants found the tool easy to use and highlighted the benefits of using captions/subtitles, such as providing access to live instruction for a wide audience and reinforcing learning for diverse student types. While they were able to troubleshoot connectivity and technological issues encountered, they experienced an apparent split-attention effect and noted limitations in the tool's inability to recognize different dialects. Findings contribute to educational research related to accessible live instruction in multilingual settings and could aid educators in selecting and integrating tools with real-time captioning/subtitling, in line with the UDL guidelines.

Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Revised Hearing Handicap Inventory Screening Tool into Asante-Twi

In line with the WHO recommendations for promoting global action for equitable access to ear and hearing care, this study aimed to translate and adapt the Revised Hearing Handicap Inventory Screening Tool (RHHI-S) into the Asante-Twi language.

Physical and Environmental Factors Influencing Accessibility to Sanitation and Hygiene Services Among People Living with Disabilities in Kitui County, Kenya

This study aimed to find out the physical and environmental factors influencing accessibility to sanitation and hygiene services among PLWD in Kitui County, Kenya. The study employed a cross sectional survey method. Disability status varied, with 44.2% having physical/mobility disabilities, 34.4% with visual disabilities, and 21.4% with hearing disabilities. In terms of physical and environmental factors, 95.6% had access to latrines, Improved pit latrines were the most common (52.3%). 93.3% reported sufficient space inside latrines, challenges included slippery floors (28.2%) and limited privacy (23%). Inferential statistics, employing logistic regression, identified significant associations. The logistic regression analysis elucidated significant factors influencing hygiene and sanitation accessibility among people with disabilities in Kitui County, Kenya. Socio-economic variables, including occupation (B = -0.212, p = 0.032), income (B = -1.068, p = 0.184), and education level (B = 0.457, p < 0.001), exhibited notable associations. Physical and environmental factors, such as latrine design for people with disabilities (B = -0.566, p = 0.077), played a crucial role. This study identified substantial challenges hindering people with disabilities (PLWD) from accessing adequate sanitation and hygiene, revealing critical issues related to physical and environmental barriers.

Association of Disability Status and Type With Binge Drinking and Prescription Opioid Misuse Among Adults From a 3-State Sample.

Research examining at-risk substance use by disability status is limited, with little investigation into differences by disability type. We investigated binge drinking and prescription opioid misuse among adults with and without disabilities, and by type of disability, to inform need for assessment and intervention within these populations. Secondary analyses of adults who completed the disability, alcohol, and prescription opioid misuse items in the 2018 Ohio, Florida, or Nebraska Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys (n = 28 341), the only states that included prescription opioid misuse in 2018. Self-reported disability status (yes/no) relied on 6 standardized questions assessing difficulties with: vision, hearing, mobility, cognition, self-care, and independent living (dichotomous, nonmutually exclusive, for each disability). Logistic regression models estimated the association of disability status and type with (1) past 30-day binge drinking and (2) past-year prescription opioid misuse. Additional models were restricted to separate subsamples of adults who: (a) currently drink, (b) received a past-year prescription opioid, and (c) did not receive a past-year prescription opioid. One-third reported at least one disability, with mobility (19.5%), cognitive (11.5%), and hearing (10.2%) disability being the most common. Disability status was associated with lower odds of binge drinking (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68-0.80, P ≤ .01). However, among adults who currently drink, people with disabilities had higher odds of binge drinking (AOR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.22, P ≤ .05]. Disability was associated with higher odds of past-year prescription opioid misuse (AOR = 2.51, 95% CI 2.17-2.91, P ≤ .01). Adults with disabilities had higher odds of prescription opioid misuse, and among adults who currently drink, higher odds for binge drinking were observed. The magnitude of the association between disability status and prescription opioid misuse was particularly concerning. Providers should be trained to screen and treat for substance use problems for people with disabilities.

Two-Way Sign Language Translator for Visually Impaired People

Hearing disabilities affect people all over the world. Nearly 360 million people have a disabling hearing loss. In the recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of deaf and dumb victims due to birth defects, accidents and oral diseases. Since deaf and dumb people cannot communicate with a hearing person, they have to depend on some sort of visual communication. Sign Language is not understood by the majority of hearing people. The objective of our project is to form a bridge between the hearing-impaired community and the hearing community; to further commence a two-way communication. We propose a two-way sign language translator that converts Voice to sign language and vice versa in real time. We process the video frame by frame using the OpenCV Library in Python. Furthermore, we use background subtraction method called Gaussian Mixture-based Background/Foreground Segmentation Algorithm on each frame to subtract the background. Contours of this processed image are then passed into a Deep Neural Net (DNN) to classify the frame to the corresponding written language equivalent words. For conversion from sign language to voice, we use basic Natural Language Processing and gtts to accurately conserve the grammar in the sign language. The enrolment rate and literacy among the hearing-impaired children is far below the average for the population at large. This technology will then help the normal schools better integrate the hearing-impaired community thus making education more accessible and cheaper for them. Speech Emotion Recognition (SER) is a vital aspect of human-computer interaction and emotional intelligence applications. This SER that employs Mel- frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) as the basis for feature extraction, followed by a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with a customized architecture for emotion classification. The methodology 2 involves transforming audio samples into MFCC images, enabling the application of CNNs typically used in computer vision tasks. This fusion of traditional audio analysis with deep learning techniques harnesses the power of MFCC's spectral representation and CNN's spatial pattern recognition. By modifying the CNN architecture, the model can better discern emotional cues in the MFCC images, enhancing SER performance. This strategy offers SER a viable path forward, with the ability to identify complex emotional expressions. In order to increase the accuracy of emotion recognition, it tackles the requirement for feature-rich representations and sophisticated modelling techniques. KEYWORDS: OpenCV, DNN, SER, CNN, MFCC

Hearing and Functioning in Everyday Life Questionnaire: Psychometric Evaluation and Revision.

The aim of the current study was to explore the construct validity and internal consistency reliability of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-based original English version of the Hearing and Functioning in Everyday Life Questionnaire (HFEQ) and to revise the HFEQ based on the results. This study used a cross-sectional survey design. The data were collected using an online survey. Adults with self-reported hearing disability (n = 513) from the United States were included. The ICF components of body functions, activity and participation, and environmental factors were tested as the underlying structure of the HFEQ using confirmatory factor analysis and then adjusted by triangulation with previous content validation. The results of the current study confirmed the ICF components of body functions, activity and participation, and environmental factors as underlying constructs of the HFEQ. However, after triangulation with previous content validation, fine adjustments were made. The revised version of the HFEQ includes two removed items and a fine-tuned factor structure. The results confirm that the structure of the HFEQ aligns with the ICF, and the overall results indicate that HFEQ has acceptable construct validity and internal consistency.