Speech Perception in Noise Is Associated With Different Cognitive Abilities in Chinese-Speaking Older Adults With and Without Hearing Aids.

Chinese-speaking older adults usually do not perceive a hearing problem until audiometric thresholds exceed 45 dB HL, and the audiometric thresholds of the average hearing-aid (HA) user often exceed 60 dB HL. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between cognitive and hearing functions (measured as audiometric or speech reception thresholds) in older Chinese adults with HAs and with untreated hearing loss (HL). Participants were 49 Chinese older adults who used HAs and had moderate to severe HL (HA group), and 46 older Chinese who had mild to moderately severe HL but did not use HAs (untreated; or UT group).

Contemporary solutions for patients with microtia and congenital aural atresia - Hong Kong experience.

Managing microtia patients is always a challenge. Multidisciplinary approach, good family support, well established doctor-patient relationship and well organised patient-support groups are the essential elements for success. With the advancement of implantable hearing devices, more options will be available for the microtia patients.

Screening of cognitive function and hearing impairment in older adults: a preliminary study.

Background: Previous research has found that hearing loss is associated with poorer cognitive function. The question is that when a hearing impairment is being compensated for by appropriately fitted monaural hearing aids, special precautions are still needed when screening cognitive function in older adults.

Objective: This research examined cognitive function in elderly hearing aid users who used monaural hearing aids and whether the presence of a hearing impairment should be accounted for when screening cognitive function in these individuals.

A tutorial on implantable hearing amplification options for adults with unilateral microtia and atresia.

Background: Patients with unilateral atresia and microtia encounter problems in sound localization and speech understanding in noise. Although there are four implantable hearing devices available, there is little discussion and evidence on the application of these devices on patients with unilateral atresia and microtia problems.

Objective: This paper will review the details of these four implantable hearing devices for the treatment of unilateral atresia.

Contemporary hearing rehabilitation options in patients with aural atresia.

Congenital aural atresia is the failure of development of the external auditory canal. It usually occurs in conjunction with microtia, which is the malformation of the auricle due to a failure of development of the external ear. Aural atresia, with or without microtia, may significantly affect the hearing and social life of the patients.

Outcome of vibrant soundbridge middle ear implant in cantonese-speaking mixed hearing loss adults.

Objectives: To investigate the aided benefits, speech recognition in quiet and in noise, change in hearing and subjective report of satisfaction on mixed hearing loss adults implanted with Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) middle ear implant.

Methods: Eight Cantonese speaking adult patients with mixed hearing loss were enrolled in a single-subject, repeated measures prospective study design. Audiometric testing, including air and bone conduction and word recognition under sound-field were conducted before surgery.

[Treatment of moderately severe hearing loss with totally implantable hearing aid].

Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of totally implantable hearing aid (Carina) was assessed in adult patients with bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss.

Methods: Surgical implantations of Carina were performed in three adult patients with bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss. The safety and effectiveness were evaluated in a more than 12 months follow-up by comparison of outcomes of PTA and speech audiometry pre and post-operatively.