The conservation status and population decline of the African penguin deconstructed in space and time.

Understanding changes in abundance is crucial for conservation, but population growth rates often vary over space and time. We use 40 years of count data (1979-2019) and Bayesian state-space models to assess the African penguin population under IUCN Red List Criterion A. We deconstruct the overall decline in time and space to identify where urgent conservation action is needed.

Self reported hearing difficulties following excision of vestibular schwannoma.

A new questionnaire, developed to investigate self-reported hearing difficulties in unilateral deafness, was completed by 221 post-surgical vestibular schwannoma patients. Results were compared to a group of 51 normal hearers and 12 patients with severe unilateral deafness from other causes. The vestibular schwannoma patients rated their post surgical hearing as profoundly deaf in the operated ear, and worse than pre-surgical in the other.

An investigation of the applicability of the inventory, satisfaction with amplification in daily life, at 2 weeks post hearing aid fitting.

Objective: To investigate the applicability of the self-report inventory, Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL), at 2 wk postfitting.

Design: The SADL was completed by two groups of hearing aid users, one fitted 2 wk before completion, the other at least 1 yr before. All SADLs were completed as a paper and pencil exercise, without involvement of an audiologist or other clinic staff.

Hearing aid manipulation skills in an elderly population: a comparison of ITE, BTE, and ITC aids.

In-the-ear, in-the-canal and behind-the-ear hearing aids were compared for ease of management by elderly people. Two hundred and forty-four clients were randomly assigned to be fitted with one aid type, and rated for ability to perform the manipulative tasks necessary to enable effective use of the aid. It was found that in-the-ear aids were easiest to use, that females experienced greater difficulties in manipulation than males and that some tasks were easier to perform and more quickly learned than others.

The advantages and disadvantages of ITC, ITE and BTE hearing aids: diary and interview reports from elderly users.

The advantages and disadvantages of in-the-canal (ITC), in-the-ear (ITE) and behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids for elderly aid users were examined. Two hundred and forty four clients were randomly assigned to one of the three aid types from seven hearing aid manufacturers. The clients' perceived help from their fitting, and the degree of difficulty they encountered over a range of listening situations and environments were rated using a daily diary and a structured interview.