Simpson Andrea
University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Trends Amplif. 2009 Jun;13(2):87-106. doi: 10.1177/1084713809336421.
Frequency-lowering technology has been around for decades. The primary aim--namely, that of providing high-frequency information to those with severe high-frequency hearing loss--addresses a clinical need most conventional hearing devices are still unable to provide. Early studies with frequency-lowering technology reported mostly unfavorable results, and the devices never gained clinical popularity. However, as hearing aid (HA) technology becomes ever more sophisticated, it is appropriate to reconsider whether frequency-lowering HAs should be an amplification choice in those with high-frequency hearing loss. Recent research is yielding promise with people who wear frequency-lowering devices showing improved speech perception. Questions remain regarding patient candidacy and whether auditory training may result in better outcomes. The author also discusses future clinical directions and research needs for frequency lowering.
频率降低技术已经存在了几十年。其主要目的,即向重度高频听力损失患者提供高频信息,满足了大多数传统听力设备仍无法满足的临床需求。早期关于频率降低技术的研究大多报告了不利结果,这些设备从未在临床上受到欢迎。然而,随着助听器(HA)技术变得越来越复杂,重新考虑频率降低型助听器是否应该成为高频听力损失患者的放大选择是合适的。最近的研究对佩戴频率降低设备的人显示出言语感知改善带来了希望。关于患者的候选资格以及听觉训练是否可能带来更好的结果,问题仍然存在。作者还讨论了频率降低的未来临床方向和研究需求。