Plyler Patrick N, Fleck Erica L
Department of Audiology & Speech Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 37996-0740, USA.
J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2006 Jun;49(3):616-27. doi: 10.1044/1092-4388(2006/044).
The purpose of the present study was to determine if amplifying beyond 2 kHz affected the objective and subjective performance of hearing instrument users with varying degrees of mild-to-severe high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss.
Twenty participants were fitted binaurally with digital completely-in-the-canal devices with 4-channel wide dynamic range compression (Starkey Axent). Each participant used the hearing instruments for two 6-week trial periods. Each hearing instrument was programmed to maximize high-frequency audibility during 1 trial period and minimize high-frequency audibility during the other trial period. Objective evaluations were conducted in quiet using the Connected Speech Test (CST) and in noise using the CST and the Hearing in Noise Test. Subjective performance was evaluated by administering the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit and a questionnaire.
Results indicated that high-frequency amplification significantly improved objective performance in noise and subjective preference in quiet for listeners with varying degrees of mild-to-severe high-frequency hearing loss. Results also suggested that high-frequency amplification may affect subjective preference in noise and overall for listeners with varying degrees of mild-to-severe high-frequency hearing loss when feedback is eliminated.
Based on these significant benefits, dispensers should be aware that high-frequency amplification should, at least initially, be provided to the affected high-frequency regions when mild-to-severe hearing loss is present.
本研究的目的是确定超过2kHz的放大是否会影响不同程度轻至重度高频感音神经性听力损失的听力仪器使用者的客观和主观表现。
20名参与者双耳佩戴具有4通道宽动态范围压缩功能的数字耳道式助听器（斯达克Axent）。每位参与者使用这些听力仪器进行两个为期6周的试验期。每个听力仪器在一个试验期被编程以最大化高频可听度，在另一个试验期被编程以最小化高频可听度。客观评估在安静环境中使用连接言语测试（CST）进行，在噪声环境中使用CST和噪声中的听力测试进行。主观表现通过发放助听器效益简表和一份问卷进行评估。
结果表明，对于不同程度轻至重度高频听力损失的聆听者，高频放大显著改善了噪声环境中的客观表现以及安静环境中的主观偏好。结果还表明，当消除反馈时，高频放大可能会影响不同程度轻至重度高频听力损失的聆听者在噪声环境中的主观偏好以及总体主观偏好。
基于这些显著益处，验配师应意识到，当存在轻至重度听力损失时，至少在最初阶段，应向受影响的高频区域提供高频放大。
