Noise Hearing Research Articles

Improvements in Noise Symptoms, Forgotten Joint Scores, and Functional Outcomes With Greater Time Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an impactful procedure with goals that include pain reduction and improved function, with low levels of prosthesis awareness. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients reported prosthetic noise and noise-related symptoms diminished over the course of time after TKA. MethodsThis study was a single institutional, retrospective study of patients who underwent primary unilateral TKA from 2018 to 2021. The TKAs were performed by four high-volume, fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons. Patients had similar baseline characteristics. Patients completed a survey consisting of four Likert scale questions related to prosthetic noise generation, the Forgotten Joint Score, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Joint Replacement. Data were compared between patients who had undergone TKA one to two years earlier (N = 305) and those who had TKA three to four years prior to evaluation (N = 177). ResultsAfter more time with TKA, patients had significantly lower reports of hearing noise (31.1 versus 43.6%; P = 0.009) and feeling prosthetic noise-related symptoms (28.2 versus 40.3%; P = 0.010). Furthermore, after more time from TKA, patients had significantly higher satisfaction regarding noise-generation (65.5 versus 50.2%; P = 0.012), postoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Joint Replacement scores (80.9 versus 75.9; P = 0.005), and Forgotten Joint Scores (65.4 versus 53.8; P < 0.001). ConclusionsAs more time passes after TKA, patients observe less prosthetic noise generation and have lower levels of prosthesis awareness and greater satisfaction than those who had surgery more recently. It is unclear whether these differences represent real improvement or acclimation to noise over time.

NOISE IMPACT TO STUDENTS OF ROADSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOLS AT RAJSHAHI CITY IN BANGLADESH

A high level of noise in classroom impairs verbal communication of students, which have negative effects on the cognitive performance. The high noise can also limit episodic memory of students. In this context, this study was conducted to measure the noise levels and its impact to students in selected roadside government primary schools in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh during May to November, 2022. The noise level was measured with the help of a digital sound level meter and a questionnaire survey was conductedamong the studentsto evaluate the perception of noise. The results show that the average noise levels (Leq) in the roadside primary schools varied between the 74.1 and 80.1 dBA, with maximum noise 108 dBA and minimum 57.2 dBA. These noise levels are higher than the permissible rangeof 35 dBA recommended by the WorldHealth Organization (WHO).The high levelof noise was foundto school adjacentbusy road. Duringnoise impact study,the majority of students (70%)expressed that their school are noisy “very much”. They indicated that outside factors are responsible for excess noise in school premises. About half (51.7%) of the students responded that noise distracted their attention from the lesson and only 1% of students suffered from moderate headaches due to noise pollution. In terms of immediate reaction to excess noise, the majority of students (62.5%) had to cover their ears with hands to prevent noise hearing.

Neural correlation of speech envelope tracking for background noise in normal hearing.

Everyday speech communication often occurs in environments with background noise, and the impact of noise on speech recognition can vary depending on factors such as noise type, noise intensity, and the listener's hearing ability. However, the extent to which neural mechanisms in speech understanding are influenced by different types and levels of noise remains unknown. This study aims to investigate whether individuals exhibit distinct neural responses and attention strategies depending on noise conditions. We recorded electroencephalography (EEG) data from 20 participants with normal hearing (13 males) and evaluated both neural tracking of speech envelopes and behavioral performance in speech understanding in the presence of varying types of background noise. Participants engaged in an EEG experiment consisting of two separate sessions. The first session involved listening to a 12-min story presented binaurally without any background noise. In the second session, speech understanding scores were measured using matrix sentences presented under speech-shaped noise (SSN) and Story noise background noise conditions at noise levels corresponding to sentence recognitions score (SRS). We observed differences in neural envelope correlation depending on noise type but not on its level. Interestingly, the impact of noise type on the variation in envelope tracking was more significant among participants with higher speech perception scores, while those with lower scores exhibited similarities in envelope correlation regardless of the noise condition. The findings suggest that even individuals with normal hearing could adopt different strategies to understand speech in challenging listening environments, depending on the type of noise.

NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS

The aim of this article is to elucidate the main aspects of Noise Hearing Loss. Pathology that has been increasing since the Industrial Revolution since the second half of the 18th century. The worker’s health did not go unpunished in the context of a change in mass production: repetitive strain injury, musculoskeletal disorders, definitive or temporary deafness and even psychic suffering are frequent to the work environment. It is essential to emphasize that health is protected by the Occupational Health Legislation, which is the legal framework for states and the city to fulfill their attributions by reducing the area of friction and directing their actions to provide effective promotion, health protection and prevention of injuries related to the labor environment in line with the basic principles of the Unified Health System.

A case-control study on the relationship between DNA methylation and occupational noise hearing loss

Objective: To explore the relationship between DNA methylation and occupational noise-induced hearing loss. Methods: A case-control study was conducted. People with hearing loss induced by occupational noise were recruited as the case group and those with normal hearing but still exposed to occupational noise were recruited as the control group. A total of 60 participants were included, of which 30 participants were in the case group and 30 in the control group. The methylation level was detected by 850k genome-wide DNA methylation chip technology. The significance of differential methylated position (DMP) was tested by R-packet 'Champ'. The differential methylated region (DMR) was analyzed by using Champ's Bumphunter algorithm. Cluster profiler was used to analyze the gene list for GO and KEGG pathway enrichment. Results: There was significant difference between two groups in binaural high-frequency average hearing threshold (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in age, smoking, drinking, hypertension, physical exercise and cumulative noise exposure. The results of DMP and DMR analysis showed that 713875 sites were detected in the case group and the control group, and 439 methylation sites with significant difference, accounting for 0.06%; 650 regions were detected, and 72 methylation regions with significant differences, accounting for 11.08%. Compared with the control group, the results of GO enrichment analysis showed that the case group had statistically significant differences in four pathways: axogenesis of projection neurons in the central nervous system, neuronal development in the central nervous system, axogenesis of neurons in the central nervous system and neuronal differentiation in the central nervous system. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that there were significant differences in sphingolipid metabolism, aldosterone synthesis and secretion, primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway between the case group and the control group. Conclusion: The occurrence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss may be related to the regulation of gene expression related to axogenesis of projection neurons in the central nervous system, development of neurons in the central nervous system, axogenesis of neurons in the central nervous system, differentiation of neurons in the central nervous system, sphingolipid metabolism, aldosterone synthesis and secretion, primary bile acid biosynthesis and gene methylation related to metabolism.

Factors Related to Quality of Life of the People in the Wind Turbine Project Area

The quality of life improvement of people and communities with sustainable development, is important. This research aims to study happiness, stress and life quality levels, to study factors related to the quality of life of the people in the Lam Ta Khong Wind Turbine Project area, Khao Yai Thiang Community, Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. This study is survey research. The samples were 353 people determined by using CDC's Epi Info program in Survey Confidence Level = 95%. Data were analyzed by using a packaged computer program SPSS (Version 25). The statistics used in the research were frequency, percentage, and Spearman's correlation coefficients. The instruments used were the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL), Thai happiness indicators, and stress assessment of the Department of Mental Health. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation coefficient statistics. The results of the study found that most of the people in the area Project were less happy than the general population of 51.8%, moderate stress level of 71.1%, and overall life quality at a moderate level of 68.3%. The factors related to the quality of life of the people in the project area were age, educational status, religion, occupation, life income, congenital disease, happiness, stress from seeing and hearing noise from the wind turbine, physical and mental life quality, social and environmental relations statistically significant (P < 0.01,0.05). In conclusion, the overall quality of life of the people in the area was low to moderate, but it is better from the development of occupation and income in the community. There must be plans, monitoring measures and surveillance of environmental quality and health, including social development, creating jobs and incomes for continuously and in parallel with the development of the project. This will result in overall sustainable better quality of life for the people.

In Situ Otoacoustic Emission Monitoring to Assess the Effects of Noise Exposure on Hearing Health

Abstract Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the largest cause of action for indemnity in North American industries despite the widespread implementation of hearing conservation programs. Possible causes behind the onset of NIHL are the intervals between hearing tests which are generally too long and the tests are insufficiently sensitive to detect temporary hearing changes to act and prevent permanent hearing damage. Moreover, current noise regulations might be too lenient as to the permissible maximum noise levels. Short-interval hearing assessment could help to observe temporary changes in hearing health and prevent permanent damage. This study investigates the short-term effects of noise exposure characteristics using repeated measurements of otoacoustic emission (OAE) growth functions and presents the most significant predictors of hearing health changes as observed in sixteen individuals equipped with OAE earpieces. The experimental results of this study show that the impulsiveness and frequency spectrum of the noise level could be a possible cause of the decline in OAE levels. As a consequence, hearing conservation programs should consider taking these noise metrics into account for proper NIHL risk assessment. Such noise exposure and hearing health monitoring could greatly improve hearing conservation practices in the workplace by acting faster and eventually mitigate occupational hearing loss.

Adaptation to noise in normal and impaired hearing.

Many aspects of hearing function are negatively affected by background noise. Listeners, however, have some ability to adapt to background noise. For instance, the detection of pure tones and the recognition of isolated words embedded in noise can improve gradually as tones and words are delayed a few hundred milliseconds in the noise. While some evidence suggests that adaptation to noise could be mediated by the medial olivocochlear reflex, adaptation can occur for people who do not have a functional reflex. Since adaptation can facilitate hearing in noise, and hearing in noise is often harder for hearing-impaired than for normal-hearing listeners, it is conceivable that adaptation is impaired with hearing loss. It remains unclear, however, if and to what extent this is the case, or whether impaired adaptation contributes to the greater difficulties experienced by hearing-impaired listeners understanding speech in noise. Here, we review adaptation to noise, the mechanisms potentially contributing to this adaptation, and factors that might reduce the ability to adapt to background noise, including cochlear hearing loss, cochlear synaptopathy, aging, and noise exposure. The review highlights few knowns and many unknowns about adaptation to noise, and thus paves the way for further research on this topic.

The Relevance of Leisure Noise to Hearing Threshold Shifts: A Longitudinal Analysis Among Adolescents.

The aim of this study was to analyze the association of total leisure noise exposure and hearing threshold shifts over 5 years among adolescents enrolled in the Ohrkan cohort study. The Ohrkan cohort of 2,148 students aged 13-19 years was recruited from 2009 to 2011 and followed up 5 years later. Complete baseline and follow-up reports on exposure and outcome were available for 989 participants. Leisure noise exposure was assessed by questionnaires, and clinical audiometric examinations were performed. Two outcomes were defined: occurrence of the Niskar notch pattern and audiometry showing maximum hearing threshold values at 3, 4, and 6 kHz (both ears). Longitudinal analysis using generalized estimating equations was performed. High total leisure noise exposure, defined as an energy equivalent of a 40-hr week of > 85 dBA, was estimated for 32.7% of students at baseline and 63.8% at follow-up. A noise notch was observed in 1.1% of adolescents at baseline and 3.3% at follow-up. At baseline, the maximum measured threshold shift was 55 dB, which increased to 85 dB at the follow-up. Longitudinal analysis did not reveal an association between leisure noise exposure and hearing thresholds. Hearing threshold shifts or noise notches were associated with sex, school type, and time point of measurement. No relationship was found between leisure noise and hearing thresholds. Male adolescents and those attending secondary general schools, with graduation following completion of ninth or 10th grade, had a greater likelihood of developing hearing threshold shifts. Prevention programs should focus on these risk groups. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.19233462.

Application and prospect of multiomics techniques in susceptibility to occupational noise hearing loss

With the continuous innovation of technology, genomics and other omics techniques, such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, are increasingly becoming an important basis for precision medicine. Current research on susceptibility to occupational noise hearing loss (ONHL) has focused on genomics. Building the future of precision medicine is the focus of current ONHL research. Compared to single-omics studies, the use of multi-omics analysis can provide an integrated flow of information on ONHL susceptibility. This paper outlines the advantages and limitations of different histological techniques and the application of each histology in the disease, and focuses on the feasibility of applying multi-omics techniques in ONHL susceptibility research. The analysis of multi-omics techniques can better guide the comprehensive understanding of the disease in clinical research.

Predicting standard threshold shifts for occupational hearing loss among miners at a large-scale platinum mine in South Africa

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is associated with various risk factors in South African mines. We investigated the association between standard threshold shifts (STSs) and exposure to noise and platinum mine dust (PMD), using demographic data, five years of annual audiometry screening results, and noise and dust exposure data. Miners' age, sex, percentage hearing loss (PLH), and dust and noise exposure data were gathered, and a linear mixed effects regression model used to predict STS. Average occupational exposure levels to noise and dust were calculated from recorded measurements. A total of 12 692 records were analysed. Most miners were male (89.6%) and more than 50% were younger than 41 years. More than 70% were exposed to &gt; 85 dBA noise and 58% were exposed to 1.5-2.99 mg/m3 PMD. Changes in hearing levels ranged from 8.3 dBHL at baseline (2014/2015) to 10 dBHL in 2016 (STS), with no changes thereafter. The model showed that the estimated effect on STS for males was 27% and 21% higher than for females, for the left and right ear, respectively The estimated effect of age, PLH, noise exposure and years of exposure on STS was &lt; 10% for each variable. There was no statistically significant association between PMD and STS. The combined effects of age, sex, years of exposure to noise, and noise exposure levels, and strength of associations can be used to predict STS for this group of miners. Our findings may be used to measure the efficacy of the mine's hearing conservation programme.

Is there a relationship between occupational noise and hearing levels, sleep quality, and QoL of the factory workers?

We assessed the hearing level, sleep quality, depression status, and life quality of the employees. The research group contains 380 (56.7%) of 669 employees working in the factory. We used a questionnaire, noise measurement (2016), pure tone audiometry test results of (2015, 2016). SF-12 (short form), mini sleep questionnaire (MSQ), and Beck depression scale. The employees' mean working period is 13.5 ± 11.9years. The mean ambient noise level of the factory is 75.5 ± 7.3dB. We detected hearing loss at 18.6% and 23.2% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The frequency of hearing loss is 4.7% at the employees working below 85dB and 27.8% percent at the employees working above 85dB. Mean working period of the employees with hearing loss (19.7 ± 11.7years) is higher than mean working period of the employees without hearing loss(13.2 ± 11.8years) (p < .0.05). The 27.8% of the employees working above 85dB are used to earmuffs, 44.4% of them sometimes use earmuffs; 38.9% of them are used to earplug; and 44.4% of them sometimes use earplug. Back depression scales showed 31.1% minimal, moderate, or severe depression. The sleep quality of employees working above 85dB is worse than the others (p < 0.05). SF-12 QoL scores were 39.41 ± 5.59 (physical health) and 36.10 ± 7.76 (mental health). There was not a statistically significant association between scale scores and ambient noise level and hearing level of the workers (p > 0.05). We suggest the use of personal protective equipment. Working in the noise above 85dB affected workers' sleep quality to be poorer.

823 Apparent seizure activity in a 9 year old female presenting as hypnopompic hallucinations

Abstract Introduction The presence of hypnopompic hallucinations raises concerns for narcolepsy. However, sleep-related hallucinations may occur in other settings. Dreams at sleep-wake transitions may be difficult for patients to differentiate from sleep-related hallucinations. Sleep-related hallucinations are predominantly visual, although they can be auditory, tactile and/or kinetic. However, they are generally not olfactory in nature. Report of case(s) Here we present a case of a 9-year-old female with a history of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, ADHD, ODD, nocturnal enuresis, nocturia, aggressive behaviors and emotional outbursts who presented with EDS, frequent nocturnal awakenings, involuntary dozing, prolonged naps and a one year duration of hypnopompic hallucinations. Initially, the hallucinations occurred 2–3 times per week, but then decreased in frequency to 2–3 times per month. The frequency of episodes apparently decreased after tonsillectomy. She states that she wakes up and sees dots, and “she looks scary” when she looks at herself. She describes a variety of hallucinations including: seeing dots (including her mother being covered in dots), a cupcake, a strange woman walking, her hands looking strange--they had enlarged or hearing noises (a single loud bang). Pertinent physical exam findings included: BMI 66th percentile, Mallampati score 2/4, and a mildly enlarged tongue. The polysomnogram demonstrated mild obstructive sleep apnea by pediatric criteria, and, most notably, demonstrated an EEG with spike and wave formations in the central and frontal leads bilaterally. These were seen during NREM sleep and most prominently during sleep-wake transitions. There was also a more focal brief run of a regular 2 Hz rhythm in the central and frontal leads bilaterally. A referral was placed to Pediatric Neurology who ordered a full EEG which is pending at this time. Conclusion Sleep-related hallucinations may occur in narcolepsy, other sleep disorders, a mental disorder, a medical disorder, a medication effect or secondary to substance use. This case suggests that seizure activity may present as hypnopompic hallucinations as well. Support (if any):

Умови праці та аналіз професійних небезпек у працівників птахофабрики

It is noted that there are many serious risks to the safety and health of workers at poultry farms in Ukraine. These hazards include exposure to high levels of noise, dust, hazardous equipment, slippery floors, musculoskeletal disorders, hazardous chemicals and biological hazards. Studies show that prolonged exposure to high noise levels leads to noise hearing loss in workers of all ages. When performing work on catching, transplanting, transporting poultry, taking blood for chemical and serological tests, the noise level in the poultry house reaches 8690 dB. It is noted that during the repair and maintenance of machinery and equipment there is a risk of injury due to heat, electric shock, burns, cuts, tears, amputation or fractures of body parts. Poultry workers are the most vulnerable occupational group in terms of the risk of developing respiratory diseases. It has been established that 8-hour inhalation of dust in a concentration exceeding 4 mg/m3 is especially dangerous. The highest level of respiratory diseases was in 45-55-year-old workers. It is noted that poultry workers are exposed to ergonomic risks, which can cause injuries to the musculoskeletal system. The researchers found that 81% of poultry processing jobs have an increased level of repetitive hand movements and exertion. Workers complained of pain, numbness, burning, tingling in the hands or wrists. It is noted that new technologies will be able to reduce some types of ergonomic injuries. A significant danger for poultry workers is the risk of catching avian influenza. It is noted that workers have the right to healthy and safe working conditions, the development of special programs to protect them from industrial hazards. To protect workers, it is necessary to implement engineering and control measures and provide appropriate personal protective equipment.

Exposure to leisure noise and intermittent tinnitus among young adults in Bavaria: longitudinal data from a prospective cohort study

Objectives To investigate the association between total leisure noise exposure and intermittent tinnitus among young adults. Design Data were obtained from the Ohrkan study, an ongoing prospective cohort study conducted in South Germany since 2009. Information about exposure to impulse and leisure noise, tinnitus occurrences, sociodemographic variables, and self-rated hearing ability were analysed at four time points over a period of seven and a half years. Study sample Participants of the Ohrkan cohort study, who provided data about the occurrence of tinnitus for all surveys (n = 1028). Results Intermittent tinnitus was reported in the majority of the sample (60%). The risk for intermittent tinnitus increased with higher sound pressure levels from exposure to leisure noise (full model (Odds Ratio, 95%CI): 80–<85dB(A): 1.41 [1.13–1.78], 85–<90dB(A): 1.73 [1.38–2.16], >90dB(A): 2.04 [1.59–2.61]). Visiting nightclubs was a major contributor to this relationship. Of the considered covariables, self-rated hearing as “poor”, and growing up in a single-parent household were significantly associated with intermittent tinnitus. Conclusion Intermittent tinnitus is very frequent among young adults and is associated with high levels of leisure noise exposure. To prevent intermittent tinnitus, reduced sound pressure levels and the use of hearing protection are necessary.

Interhemispheric Auditory Cortical Synchronization in Asymmetric Hearing Loss.

Objectives:Auditory cortical activation of the two hemispheres to monaurally presented tonal stimuli has been shown to be asynchronous in normal hearing (NH) but synchronous in the extreme case of adult-onset asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) with single-sided deafness. We addressed the wide knowledge gap between these two anchoring states of interhemispheric temporal organization. The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to map the trajectory of interhemispheric temporal reorganization from asynchrony to synchrony using magnitude of interaural threshold difference as the independent variable in a cross-sectional study and (2) to evaluate reversibility of interhemispheric synchrony in association with hearing in noise performance by amplifying the aidable poorer ear in a repeated measures, longitudinal study.Design:The cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts were comprised of 49 subjects (AHL; N = 21; 11 male, 10 female; mean age = 48 years) and NH (N = 28; 16 male, 12 female; mean age = 45 years). The maximum interaural threshold difference of the two cohorts spanned from 0 to 65 dB. Magnetoencephalography analyses focused on latency of the M100 peak response from auditory cortex in both hemispheres between 50 msec and 150 msec following monaural tonal stimulation at the frequency (0.5, 1, 2, 3, or 4 kHz) corresponding to the maximum and minimum interaural threshold difference for better and poorer ears separately. The longitudinal AHL cohort was drawn from three subjects in the cross-sectional AHL cohort (all male; ages 49 to 60 years; varied AHL etiologies; no amplification for at least 2 years). All longitudinal study subjects were treated by monaural amplification of the poorer ear and underwent repeated measures examination of the M100 response latency and quick speech in noise hearing in noise performance at baseline, and postamplification months 3, 6, and 12.Results:The M100 response peak latency values in the ipsilateral hemisphere lagged those in the contralateral hemisphere for all stimulation conditions. The mean (SD) interhemispheric latency difference values (ipsilateral less contralateral) to better ear stimulation for three categories of maximum interaural threshold difference were as follows: NH (≤ 10 dB)—8.6 (3.0) msec; AHL (15 to 40 dB)—3.0 (1.2) msec; AHL (≥ 45 dB)—1.4 (1.3) msec. In turn, the magnitude of difference values were used to define interhemispheric temporal organization states of asynchrony, mixed asynchrony and synchrony, and synchrony, respectively. Amplification of the poorer ear in longitudinal subjects drove interhemispheric organization change from baseline synchrony to postamplification asynchrony and hearing in noise performance improvement in those with baseline impairment over a 12-month period.Conclusions:Interhemispheric temporal organization in AHL was anchored between states of asynchrony in NH and synchrony in single-sided deafness. For asymmetry magnitudes between 15 and 40 dB, the intermediate mixed state of asynchrony and synchrony was continuous and reversible. Amplification of the poorer ear in AHL improved hearing in noise performance and restored normal temporal organization of auditory cortices in the two hemispheres. The return to normal interhemispheric asynchrony from baseline synchrony and improvement in hearing following monoaural amplification of the poorer ear evolved progressively over a 12-month period.

Dysphonia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases, and noise complaints as probable factors associated with hearing loss among teachers

ABSTRACT Objective: to verify a possible association between hearing loss and dysphonia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases, and noise complaints. Methods: a cross-sectional study involving 60 teachers, mean age 47.05 years. Pure-tone threshold audiometry was used to assess hearing, the voice questionnaire and voice acoustic evaluation were used for voice perception and quality, and the standardized questionnaire verified noise complaint and comorbidities. The statistical analysis was conducted with Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact tests and multivariate linear regression. Results: there was a significant association between hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and thyroid disease (both p &lt;0.0001), but there was no association between noise complaints and hearing loss in this population. The regression showed that dysphonia (p = 0.0311) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.0302) are independent risk factors for hearing loss. A correlation was found between hearing loss and voice characteristics: roughness, breathiness, tension, and resonance. Conclusion: this study showed that hypertension and thyroid diseases are factors associated with hearing loss. In addition, dysphonia and diabetes mellitus are independent factors associated with hearing loss in teachers. These results show the need for policies aimed at promoting teachers’ health.

Behavioral Validation of the Smartphone for Remote Microphone Technology.

As part of a National Institutes of Health-National Institute on Deafness and Other communication Disorders (NIH-NIDCD)-supported project to develop open-source research and smartphone-based apps for enhancing speech recognition in noise, an app called Smartphone Hearing Aid Research Project Version 2 (SHARP-2) was tested with persons with normal and impaired hearing when using three sets of hearing aids (HAs) with wireless connectivity to an iPhone. Participants were asked to type sentences presented from a speaker in front of them while hearing noise from behind in two conditions, HA alone and HA + SHARP-2 app running on the iPhone. The signal was presented at a constant level of 65 dBA and the signal-to-noise ratio varied from -10 to +10, so that the task was difficult when listening through the bilateral HAs alone. This was important to allow for improvement to be measured when the HAs were connected to the SHARP-2 app on the smartphone. Benefit was achieved for most listeners with all three manufacturer HAs with the greatest improvements recorded for persons with normal (33.56%) and impaired hearing (22.21%) when using the SHARP-2 app with one manufacturer's made-for-all phones HAs. These results support the continued development of smartphone-based apps as an economical solution for enhancing speech recognition in noise for both persons with normal and impaired hearing.

Epidemiology of the extent of recreational noise exposure and hearing protection use: cross-sectional survey in a nationally representative UK adult population sample

BackgroundHearing loss is prevalent and disabling, yet little is known about the extent of recreational noise exposure and hearing protection use. The aim of the present research was to estimate the extent of recreational noise exposure and hearing protection use in a sample representative of the UK adult population.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of 10,401 UK adults who were representative of the population.ResultsMore than 7000 people (n = 7590, 73.0%) reported exposure to recreational noise excluding headphone and earphone use in the last 12 months. Just 158 people (2.1%) reported wearing hearing protection for every noisy recreational activity. Age (younger people) and beliefs of a behavioral (as opposed to genetic) cause of hearing loss were predictive of both higher recreational noise exposure and greater hearing protection use. Men were more exposed to recreational noise but women were less likely to use hearing protection.ConclusionsFor the first time, the present research quantifies the recreational noise exposure and low levels of hearing protection use in a representative sample of the UK population. The biggest public health gains are likely to be achieved through interventions targeted at younger people and in explaining behavioral (as opposed to genetic) causes of hearing loss.

Comparison of Pure Tone, Dichotic Digit Test and Speech in Noise in Persian Language Using a Mobile-Based Approach (Shenava® application) with the Audiometer Device: Protocol of the Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: The global prevalence of hearing loss is around 5 percent in low to middle-income countries. The main purpose of this study is validating a mobile-based Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA), Dichotic Digit Test (DDT) and Speech in Noise (SIN) hearing tests for hearing loss screening purposes in Persian people comparing with routine audiometry exam results.Material and Methods: This is a single blind randomized controlled trial for comparing a mobile application for hearing screening exams. We designed and standardized PTA, DDT and SIN tests for Persian people and settled them into a specific developed mobile application called “Shenava®”. In the audiology clinic, we will recruit at least 100 healthy adult participants, 50 for the case and 50 for the control group. The first group will pass “Shenava®” and standard test respectively and the other group will pass the tests vice versa to prevent order bias.Results: The results of the tests performed by “Shenava®” and audiometry exam will be analyzed to ensure the accuracy and validity of the” Shenava®” in comparison with standard audiometric exam results.Conclution: Hearing tests are costly even for time and money and need a lot of efforts for audiologists and the patients. By designing a mobile app for hearing tests, we hope to be able to make diagnostic screening easier for hearing loss, and relying on the diagnostic value of this tool, it may encourage the patients to have a better follow up and effective treatment plan.