Bilateral, Sequential Sudden Hearing Loss in a Patient With Multiple COVID-19 Infections and Potential Implications on Subsequent Cochlear Implant Performance.

Viruses are often implicated as a cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), particularly sudden cases, including COVID-19. Determining the viral mechanism that leads to hearing loss is necessary for its future prevention and treatment. The 47-year-old woman who is the subject of this case study presented with sudden SNHL following multiple infections of COVID-19.

Tracking of Noise Tolerance to Predict Hearing Aid Satisfaction in Loud Noisy Environments.

Background: A method that tracked tolerable noise level (TNL) over time while maintaining subjective speech intelligibility was reported previously. Although this method was reliable and efficacious as a research tool, its clinical efficacy and predictive ability of real-life hearing aid satisfaction were not measured.

Purpose: The study evaluated an adaptive method to estimate TNL using slope and variance of tracked noise level as criteria in a clinical setting.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Dual Variable Speed Compressor over a Single Fixed Speed Compressor.

Background: It has been suggested that hearing-impaired listeners with a good working memory (WM) should be fitted with a compression system using short time constants (i.e., fast-acting compression [FAC]), whereas those with a poorer WM should be fitted with a longer time constant (i.

Tracking of Noise Tolerance to Measure Hearing Aid Benefit.

Background: The benefits offered by noise reduction (NR) features on a hearing aid had been studied traditionally using test conditions that set the hearing aids into a stable state of performance. While adequate, this approach does not allow the differentiation of two NR algorithms that differ in their timing characteristics (i.e.

Evaluation of a Wind Noise Attenuation Algorithm on Subjective Annoyance and Speech-in-Wind Performance.

Background: Wind noise is a common problem reported by hearing aid wearers. The MarkeTrak VIII reported that 42% of hearing aid wearers are not satisfied with the performance of their hearing aids in situations where wind is present.

Purpose: The current study investigated the effect of a new wind noise attenuation (WNA) algorithm on subjective annoyance and speech recognition in the presence of wind.

Effects of Training on the Use of a Manual Microphone Shutoff on a BiCROS Device.

Background: Bilateral contralateral routing of signals (BiCROS) hearing aids function to restore audibility of sounds originating from the side of the unaidable ear. However, when speech is presented to the side of the aidable ear and noise to the side of the unaidable ear, a BiCROS arrangement may reduce intelligibility of the speech signal. This negative effect may be circumvented if an on/off switch is available on the contralateral routing of signals (CROS) transmitter.