Kim Hyo Jeong, Lee Jae Hee, Shim Hyun Joon
Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, Hallym University of Graduate Studies, Seoul, Korea.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Eulji University School of Medicine, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
J Audiol Otol. 2020 Oct;24(4):180-190. doi: 10.7874/jao.2020.00031. Epub 2020 Jun 25.
Although many studies have evaluated the effect of the digital noise reduction (DNR) algorithm of hearing aids (HAs) on speech recognition, there are few studies on the effect of DNR on music perception. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of DNR on music, in addition to speech perception, using objective and subjective measurements.
Sixteen HA users participated in this study (58.00±10.44 years; 3 males and 13 females). The objective assessment of speech and music perception was based on the Korean version of the Clinical Assessment of Music Perception test and word and sentence recognition scores. Meanwhile, for the subjective assessment, the quality rating of speech and music as well as self-reported HA benefits were evaluated.
There was no improvement conferred with DNR of HAs on the objective assessment tests of speech and music perception. The pitch discrimination at 262 Hz in the DNR-off condition was better than that in the unaided condition (p=0.024); however, the unaided condition and the DNR-on conditions did not differ. In the Korean music background questionnaire, responses regarding ease of communication were better in the DNR-on condition than in the DNR-off condition (p=0.029).
Speech and music perception or sound quality did not improve with the activation of DNR. However, DNR positively influenced the listener's subjective listening comfort. The DNR-off condition in HAs may be beneficial for pitch discrimination at some frequencies.
尽管许多研究评估了助听器的数字降噪(DNR)算法对言语识别的影响,但关于DNR对音乐感知影响的研究却很少。因此,我们旨在通过客观和主观测量方法,评估DNR除对言语感知外,对音乐感知的影响。
16名助听器使用者参与了本研究(年龄58.00±10.44岁;男性3名,女性13名)。言语和音乐感知的客观评估基于韩国版音乐感知临床评估测试以及单词和句子识别分数。同时,对于主观评估,评估了言语和音乐的质量评级以及自我报告的助听器益处。
助听器的DNR在言语和音乐感知的客观评估测试中未带来改善。在关闭DNR的情况下,262Hz处的音高辨别能力优于未佩戴助听器的情况(p = 0.024);然而,未佩戴助听器的情况与开启DNR的情况并无差异。在韩国音乐背景问卷中,开启DNR情况下关于沟通便利性的回答比关闭DNR情况下更好(p = 0.029)。
激活DNR并未改善言语和音乐感知或声音质量。然而,DNR对听众的主观聆听舒适度有积极影响。助听器的关闭DNR状态可能在某些频率下有利于音高辨别。