Department of Audiology, Academy Hearing Center, Bursa, Turkey.
Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, İstinye University, Faculty of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Turkey.
Int Tinnitus J. 2021 Jan 25;24(2):86-91. doi: 10.5935/0946-5448.20200016.
To evaluate the effect of frequency-shifting techniques recently used in hearing aids for speech discrimination scores and hearing thresholds.
Thirty individuals (16 men and 14 women) with sensorineural hearing loss who used normal fitting monaural hearing aids and frequency-shifting feature for at least 2 months and whose 4000-8000 Hz hearing threshold was over 70 dB participated. The average age was 69.73 ± 10 (range: 65-80 years). We detected the types and degree of each participant's hearing loss. Measurements with and without hearing aids were made in a free field. For speech discrimination scores, 6 listings consisting of 25 monosyllables have been used. It has been avoided to learn words thanks to presentation of words in different listings to subjects.
Pure-tone averages of the participants were measured using a supra-aural headphone, normal fitting hearing aid, and frequency-shifting feature. The results were 55.93 ± 6.89, 40.47 ± 5.48, and 36.73 ± 5.72 dB, respectively (p˂0.05). Speech discrimination scores for hearing aids worn on the right ear were measured as 67.73 ± 12.42%, 77.33 ± 10.33%, and 82.13 ± 10.46% with supra-aural headphones, normal fitting hearing aids, and frequency-shifting feature, respectively. Scores for hearing aids worn on the left ear were 68 ± 7.56%, 76.80 ± 6.96%, and 82.13 ± 6.67% with supra-aural headphone, normal fitting hearing aid, and frequency-shifting feature, respectively (p˂0.05).
Elderly individuals using hearing aids had low speech discrimination scores. The frequency-shifting feature recently used in hearing aids significantly increased the scores, making a significant contribution to the solution of speech reception and communication problems in cases of high-frequency hearing loss caused by presbyacusis in elderly individuals..
评估助听器中最近使用的频率转换技术对言语辨别得分和听力阈值的影响。
30 名（16 名男性和 14 名女性）患有感音神经性听力损失的个体，他们使用正常适配的单耳助听器和频率转换功能至少 2 个月，并且 4000-8000 Hz 的听力阈值超过 70 dB。平均年龄为 69.73±10（范围：65-80 岁）。我们检测了每个参与者听力损失的类型和程度。在自由场中进行了有和没有助听器的测量。对于言语辨别得分，使用了由 25 个单音节组成的 6 个列表。通过向受试者展示不同列表中的单词来避免学习单词。
使用耳罩式耳机、正常适配的助听器和频率转换功能测量参与者的纯音平均值。结果分别为 55.93±6.89、40.47±5.48 和 36.73±5.72 dB（p˂0.05）。右耳佩戴助听器时，使用耳罩式耳机、正常适配助听器和频率转换功能测得的言语辨别得分分别为 67.73±12.42%、77.33±10.33%和 82.13±10.46%。左耳佩戴助听器时，使用耳罩式耳机、正常适配助听器和频率转换功能测得的言语辨别得分分别为 68±7.56%、76.80±6.96%和 82.13±6.67%（p˂0.05）。
使用助听器的老年人言语辨别得分较低。助听器中最近使用的频率转换功能显著提高了得分，为解决由于老年人听力损失引起的高频听力损失导致的言语接收和交流问题做出了重大贡献。
