Comparison of universal newborn hearing screening programs in Illinois hospitals.

Unlabelled: SUMMARY/OBJECTIVES: In accordance with the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing's (JCIH, 2000) position statement regarding Universal Newborn Hearing Screenings (UNHS), the state of Illinois enacted legislation requiring all birthing hospitals to conduct UNHS by 31 December 2002. Currently 100% of birthing facilities in the state of Illinois perform newborn infant hearing screenings using otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and/or automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) measures. This study is an attempt to document current practices in hospital-based UNHS programs, as reported by program personnel, in the state of Illinois.

Comparison of performance on the hearing in noise test using directional microphones and digital noise reduction algorithms.

Purpose: Difficulty understanding speech in background noise is one of the most common complaints of hearing aid users. In modern hearing aids, directional microphones (d-mics) are considered the method of choice in improving signal-to-noise ratio, with demonstrated improvement in speech-perception-in-noise tasks. On the other hand, digital noise reduction (DNR) algorithms, in commercially available products, are considered to provide comfort but not significant assistance in improving speech perception in noise.

Hearing loss- and hearing aid-related stigma: perceptions of women with age-normal hearing.

Impaired hearing and the use of hearing aids are often perceived negatively. Many adults deny hearing loss and reject amplification, in part due to such stigma. Women and men differ in how they age and adjust to impaired hearing, yet little is known specifically about women's perceptions of stigma related to hearing loss and hearing aid use.