Tissue Classification After Bone-Anchored Hearing Implant Surgery: A Machine Learning Approach to Monitoring Skin Response.

Hypothesis: Here, we aim to 1) expand the available evidence for the use of machine learning techniques for soft tissue classification after BCD surgery and 2) discuss the implications of such approaches toward the development of classification applications to aid in tissue monitoring.

Background: The application of machine learning techniques in the soft tissue literature has become a large field of study. One of the most commonly reported outcomes after percutaneous bone-conduction device (BCD) surgery is soft tissue health.

Reading and spelling profiles of adult poor readers: Phonological, orthographic and morphological considerations.

Reading and spelling skills are important to communicate in today's literate society, however, the underlying processes of spelling skills are under-researched compared to reading skills. Our goals were to (a) study how the component skills of phonological, orthographic and morphological awareness are different in adults with and without reading difficulties, and (b) characterize the relationship between the component skills and reading and spelling performance in both skilled and poor readers. Participants (N = 37, N = 15 with reading impairments and N = 22 skilled readers) took part in the study where they completed several literacy-based measures.

Which threshold do we trust? A comparison of threshold measurements in adult bone-conduction device users and normal hearing adults.

Objectives: Advancements in prescriptive formulae for bone-conduction hearing devices (BCDs) have highlighted the importance of measuring in-situ bone-conduction hearing thresholds. In-situ measurements are performed within the BCD manufacturer's software, using the patient's BCD as a transducer. While in-situ testing is a different approach than standard diagnostic bone-conduction testing, both approaches are in fact measuring the same inner ear hearing.

From lollipops to lidocaine: The need for a universal print-to-speech framework.

Objective: There is a strong relationship between reading and articulation (Lervåg & Hulme, 2009; Pan et al., 2011). Given the tight coupling of these processes, innovative approaches are needed to understand the intricacies associated with print-speech connections.

Be Part of the Conversation: Audiology Messaging During a Hearing Screening.

Objectives: The moment patients learn the results from a hearing assessment can be a critical juncture on their journey to rehabilitation. Message framing (e.g.

Psychosocial outcome measures for conductive and mixed hearing loss treatment: An overview of the relevant literature.

Objective: To identify the psychosocial assessments utilized with individuals with conductive and/or mixed hearing loss as part of a broader effort by the Auditory Rehabilitation Outcomes Network (AURONET) group to develop a core set of patient-centred outcome measures.

Design: A review of articles published between 2006 and 2016 was completed. Included studies had more than three adult participants, were available in English, and reported a psychosocial outcome from any treatment of mixed and/or conductive hearing loss.

Listen before you drive: the effect of voice familiarity on listening comprehension and driving performance.

Objective: Voice familiarity has been reported to reduce cognitive load in complex listening environments. The extent to which the reduction in listening effort allows for mental resources to be reallocated to other complex tasks needs further investigation. We sought to answer whether a familiar audiobook narrator provides benefits to (1) listening comprehension and/or (2) driving performance.

The Mechanical Impedance of the Human Skull via Direct Bone Conduction Implants.

Purpose: The mechanical skull impedance is used in the design of direct bone drive hearing systems. This impedance is also important for the design of skull simulators used in manufacturing, service, and fitting procedures of such devices.

Patients And Methods: The skull impedance was measured in 45 patients (25 female and 20 male) who were using percutaneous bone conduction implants (Ponto system or Baha system).

Hearing outcome measures for conductive and mixed hearing loss treatment in adults: a scoping review.

Objective: Rehabilitation options for conductive and mixed hearing loss are continually expanding, but without standard outcome measures comparison between different treatments is difficult. To meaningfully inform clinicians and patients core outcome sets (COS), determined via a recognised methodology, are needed. Following our previous work that identified hearing, physical, economic and psychosocial as core areas of a future COS, the AURONET group reviewed hearing outcome measures used in existing literature and assigned them into different domains within the hearing core area.

Evaluation of word recognition and word recall with bone conduction devices: do directional microphones free up cognitive resources?

To determine if directional microphones improve cognitive capacity in typically hearing adults. The study objectives are to evaluate differences in (1) speech recognition and (2) working memory through a word recall task between bilateral directional and omnidirectional microphone settings. A conductive hearing loss was artificially induced while participants wore bilateral bone conduction hearing aids on softbands.

Comparison Of Health Insurance Coverage For Hearing Aids And Other Services In Alberta.

Objectives: Of the several barriers associated with uptake and adherence to hearing services, cost is the most commonly identified barrier in Canada. This study evaluated health insurance plans for hearing care coverage within Alberta, Canada, and subsequent out-of-pocket expenses that would result if an individual chose to pursue treatment.

Methods: An investigation of eight companies that provide supplementary health coverage in Alberta was conducted.

Cerebellar Activation During Reading Tasks: Exploring the Dichotomy Between Motor vs. Language Functions in Adults of Varying Reading Proficiency.

The nature and extent to which the cerebellum contributes to language processing is not clear. By using fMRI to examine differences in activation intensity in areas associated with motor and language processes, we advance our understanding of how this subcortical structure contributes to language and, more specifically, reading. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data was collected from two groups of adults.

Non-invasive evaluation of periodontal ligament stiffness during orthodontic tooth movement.

Objectives: To evaluate the longitudinal changes in periodontal ligament (PDL) stiffness during orthodontic tooth movement using the Advanced System for Implant Stability Testing (ASIST).

Materials And Methods: ASIST measurements of maxillary canines that were actively retracted into an extraction space were collected approximately once per month for 12 adolescent female patients. The ASIST Stability Coefficient (ASC) values, which are directly related to PDL stiffness, were determined for each visit to examine longitudinal changes for individual canines as they were exposed to different forces (approximately 80 and 150 g) during retraction.

Changing Hearing Performance and Sound Preference With Words and Expectations: Meaning Responses in Audiology.

Objectives: In this article, we explore two manipulations of "meaning response," intended to either "impart" meaning to participants through the manipulation of a few words in the test instructions or to "invite" meaning by making the participant feel involved in the setting of their preferred sound.

Design: In experiment 1, 59 adults with normal hearing were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Group 1 was told "this hearing in noise test (HINT) you are about to do is really hard," while the second group was told "this HINT test is really easy.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid Implant Stability Using the Advanced System for Implant Stability Testing (ASIST).

Objective: This study aims to provide a clinical evaluation of the Advanced System for Implant Stability Testing (ASIST) for assessment of implant stability for bone-anchored hearing aid patients. We evaluate the longitudinal changes in implant interface stability during the first year following surgery.

Methods: ASIST measurements were collected for 39 patients selected to receive a bone anchored hearing aid for hearing loss.

Usability testing of an mHealth device for swallowing therapy in head and neck cancer survivors.

The objective of this study was to conduct the first patient usability testing of a mobile health (mHealth) system for in-home swallowing therapy. Five participants with a history of head and neck cancer evaluated the mHealth system. After completing an in-application (app) tutorial with the clinician, participants were asked to independently complete five tasks: pair the device to the smartphone, place the device correctly, exercise, interpret progress displays, and close the system.

Development of a Novel Bone Conduction Verification Tool Using a Surface Microphone: Validation With Percutaneous Bone Conduction Users.

Objectives: To determine if a newly-designed, forehead-mounted surface microphone would yield equivalent estimates of audibility when compared to audibility measured with a skull simulator for adult bone conduction users.

Design: Data was analyzed using a within subjects, repeated measures design. There were two different sensors (skull simulator and surface microphone) measuring the same hearing aid programmed to the same settings for all subjects.

"To Name or Not to Name: That is the Question": The Role of Response Inhibition in Reading.

Reading is a complex process that includes the integration of information about letters (graphemes) and sounds (phonemes). In many circumstances, such as noisy environments, response inhibition is an additional factor that plays a marked role in successful oral reading. Response inhibition can take the form of task relevant inhibition (i.

Maturation of bone-conduction transcranial and forehead attenuation using a measure of sound pressure in the ear canal.

Objective: Although it is understood that bone-conduction (BC) hearing is different between infants and adults, few studies have attempted to explain why these differences exist. The main objective in this study was to better understand how properties of the developing skull contribute to the maturation of BC sensitivity through an indirect measurement of BC attenuation across the skull.

Design: Estimation of transcranial and forehead attenuation of pure-tone BC stimuli was conducted using sound pressure in the ear canal for a transducer placed on the skull ipsi- and contralateral to the probe ear and at the forehead.

Evaluation of an Automated Swallow-Detection Algorithm Using Visual Biofeedback in Healthy Adults and Head and Neck Cancer Survivors.

Mobile health (mHealth) technologies may offer an opportunity to address longstanding clinical challenges, such as access and adherence to swallowing therapy. Mobili-T is an mHealth device that uses surface electromyography (sEMG) to provide biofeedback on submental muscles activity during exercise. An automated swallow-detection algorithm was developed for Mobili-T.

Flow and Grit by Design: Exploring Gamification in Facilitating Adherence to Swallowing Therapy.

Purpose: Delivery of swallowing therapy is faced with challenges regarding access to in-clinic services and adherence to prescribed home programs. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies are being developed at a rapid pace to address these difficulties. Whereas some benefits to using these modern tools for therapy are obvious (e.

Designing a Mobile Health App for Patients With Dysphagia Following Head and Neck Cancer: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Adherence to swallowing rehabilitation exercises is important to develop and maintain functional improvement, yet more than half of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients report having difficulty adhering to prescribed regimens. Health apps with game elements have been used in other health domains to motivate and engage patients. Understanding the factors that impact adherence may allow for more effective gamified solutions.

Comparison of implant stability measurement devices for bone-anchored hearing aid systems.

Statement Of Problem: The success of implants for bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) relies on proper osseointegration at the bone-implant interface. Clinical evaluation of implant stability is important in prescribing loading, identifying the risk of failure, and monitoring the long-term health of the implant.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate 2 measurement systems for BAHA implant stability: the most commonly used, Osstell implant stability quotient (ISQ), and a newly developed advance system for implant stability testing (ASIST).

DSL prescriptive targets for bone conduction devices: adaptation and comparison to clinical fittings.

Objective: To develop an algorithm that prescribes targets for bone conduction frequency response shape, compression, and output limiting, along with a clinical method that ensures accurate transforms between assessment and verification stages of the clinical workflow.

Design: Technical report of target generation and validation.

Study Sample: We recruited 39 adult users of unilateral percutaneous bone conduction hearing aids with a range of unilateral, bilateral, mixed and conductive hearing losses across the sample.

Electromyography and Mechanomyography Signals During Swallowing in Healthy Adults and Head and Neck Cancer Survivors.

Surface electromyography (sEMG) is used as an adjuvant to dysphagia therapy to demonstrate the activity of submental muscles during swallowing exercises. Mechanomyography (MMG) has been suggested as a potential superior alternative to sEMG; however, this advantage is not confirmed for signal acquired from submental muscles. This study compared the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained from sEMG and MMG sensors during swallowing tasks, in healthy participants and those with a history of head and neck cancer (HNC), a population with altered anatomy and a high incidence of dysphagia.