Sound localization acuity in children with unilateral hearing loss who wear a hearing aid in the impaired ear.

Background: Disrupted binaural hearing is thought to contribute in part to the academic, social, and communication problems often associated with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) in childhood. It is not known, however, if putting a hearing aid in the impaired ear of a child with UHL will lead to bilateral or binaural benefit. This study seeks to utilize sound localization acuity measurements to assess hearing aid amplification efficacy in children with UHL.

Relationship between acceptable noise level and the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit.

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between acceptable noise levels (ANLs) and the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB; R. M. Cox & G.

Acceptable noise level as a predictor of hearing aid use.

Acceptable noise level (ANL) measures a listener's reaction to background noise while listening to speech. Relations among hearing aid use and ANL, speech in noise (SPIN) scores, and listener characteristics (age, gender, pure-tone average) were investigated in 191 listeners with hearing impairment. Listeners were assigned to one of three groups based on patterns of hearing aid use: full-time use (whenever hearing aids are needed), part-time use (occasional use), or nonuse.

The effects of venting and low-frequency gain compensation on performance in noise with directional hearing instruments.

The present study investigated the effects of gain compensation and venting on front-to-back ratios (FBRs), speech understanding in noise, and acceptance of noise in 19 listeners with hearing impairment utilizing directional hearing instruments. The participants were separated into two groups based on degree of low-frequency hearing sensitivity. Subjects were fitted binaurally with Starkey Axent II programmable behind-the-ear hearing aids and full-shell earmolds (select-a-vent).

The effect of speech presentation level on acceptance of background noise in listeners with normal hearing.

A method has been established to measure the maximum acceptable background noise level (BNL) for a listener, while listening to speech at the most comfortable listening level (MCL). The acceptable noise level (ANL) is the difference between BNL and MCL. In the present study, the ANL procedure was used to measure acceptance of noise, first, in the presence of speech at MCL and, then, for speech presented at much lower and higher levels in listeners with normal hearing.

Effect of stimulant medication on the acceptance of background noise in individuals with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Available data indicate that, on some auditory tasks, individuals with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD) perform more poorly than individuals without ADHD/ADD. Research also indicates that performance may improve with the use of stimulant medication. The present study (1) examined the effect of stimulant medication on acceptance of background noise in individuals with ADHD/ADD and (2) investigated the dependence of speech presentation level on acceptance of noise in persons with ADHD/ADD.

Acceptable noise level as a measure of directional hearing aid benefit.

An acceptable noise level (ANL) procedure for measuring hearing aid directional benefit was compared with masked speech reception threshold (SRT) and front-to-back ratio (FBR) procedures. ANL is the difference between the most comfortable listening level and the maximum accepted background noise level while listening to speech. Forty adult subjects wearing their own binaural hearing aids were evaluated in omnidirectional and directional modes.

Effect of F2 intensity on identity of /u/ in degraded listening conditions.

The current study investigated the influence of the second formant (F2) intensity on vowel labeling along a /u/-/i/ continuum. Twenty-two listeners with normal-hearing (NH) sensitivity and 14 listeners with sensorineural hearing impairment (HI) were initially presented 2 stimuli for which the F2 intensity differed by 20 dB. The listeners were asked to label the 2 stimuli categorically as /u/ or /i/.

Comparison of speech perception in background noise with acceptance of background noise in aided and unaided conditions.

Background noise is a significant factor influencing hearing-aid satisfaction and is a major reason for rejection of hearing aids. Attempts have been made by previous researchers to relate the use of hearing aids to speech perception in noise (SPIN), with an expectation of improved speech perception followed by an increased acceptance of hearing aids. Unfortunately, SPIN was not related to hearing-aid use or satisfaction.

The influence of listener's gender on the acceptance of background noise.

The acceptance of background noise can be assessed by having participants select the maximum background noise level (BNL) to which they are willing to listen while following speech at their most comfortable listening level (MCL). The difference between the selected BNL and MCL is the acceptable noise level (ANL). Preliminary investigations have revealed large between-participant ANL differences that are not related to age, hearing status, preference for background noise, or uncomfortable listening level.