Alice E. Holmes

Reported hearing protection use in young adults from Sweden and the USA : Effects of attitude and gender

The present study investigates differences between a Swedish and an American sample of young students regarding attitudes towards noise and the use of hearing protection at concerts. The study population was comprised of 179 participants from Sweden and 203 participants from the United States, who ranged in age from 17 to 21 years. Questionnaires were used to gather information on hearing symptoms and attitudes towards noise (Youth Attitude to Noise Scale). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that attitudes towards noise differed significantly due to gender and country. Men had slightly more positive attitude towards noise than women, and men from the USA had more positive attitudes than men from Sweden. Least positive were the women from Sweden (except regarding attitudes towards the ability to concentrate in noisy environments). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the influence of attitudes towards noise and country on young peoples use of hearing protection at concerts. The results indicated that attitudes and country explained 50% of the variance in use of hearing protection.

Hearing, use of hearing protection, and attitudes towards noise among young American adults

The purpose of the present study was to investigate possible associations between college students’ attitudes, risk-taking behaviour related to noisy activities, and hearing problems such as threshold shifts or self-experienced hearing symptoms. The sample included 258 students aged between 17 and 21 enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, USA. A questionnaire measuring attitudes towards noise, use of hearing protection, and self-reported hearing symptoms was distributed among the students. After completing the questionnaire a hearing screening, including pure-tone audiometry and tympanometry, was conducted. The result revealed that 26% had thresholds poorer than the screening level of 20 dBHL. Attitudes were significantly related to self-experienced hearing symptoms, but not to threshold shifts. Attitudes and noise sensitivity was, significantly related to use of hearing protection. Hearing protection use was found in activities such as using firearms, mowing lawns, and when using noisy tools but was less reported for concerts and discotheques. It can be concluded that the young adults in this study expose themselves to hearing risks, since the use of hearing protection is in general very low.

Bilateral amplification for the elderly: are two aids better than one?

This paper reviews the advantages and disadvantages of bilateral amplification as opposed to unilateral hearing use for older persons with bilateral symmetric hearing loss. Binaural advantages, such as improved localization and speech recognition in noise, are presented as they pertain to the older population. In addition, contraindications, such as binaural interference, increased costs, cosmetic concerns, decreased manipulation skills, and additional hearing aid management issues, are discussed, A. case study is provided in which unilateral hearing aid fitting was more beneficial to a patient than two hearing aids. It is concluded that bilateral amplification should be attempted for all elderly patients with symmetric hearing loss, unless a contraindication is suspected.

Psychological general well-being (quality of life) in patients with cochlear implants: Importance of social environment and age

The purpose of this study was to investigate the variables that affect psychological general well-being (quality of life) in patients with cochlear implants (CIs). The study sample consists of 96 adult patients with a CI, aged 24–86 years (Mean = 61.8 yrs; SD = 15.3 yrs). 48 were patients from the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden and 48 were patients from the University of Florida, USA. The Psychological General Well-being Index and the International Outcome Inventory-Cochlear implants were used in collecting data. Possible independent variables were socioeconomic factors such as age, gender, nationality, living arrangement, education, and social support; as well as length of time since implantation, age when hearing loss became a problem, and subjective benefit of the CI. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that 49% of the variance was explained by attitudes from others, restricted social participation, perceived social support and age. Sumario El propósito de este estudio fue el de investigar las variables que afectan el bienestar general psicológico (calidad de vida) en pacientes con implante coclear (CI). La muestra del estudio consistió en 96 adultos implantados con edades de 24–86 años (Media = 61.8 años; DS = 15.3 años): 48 pacientes del Hospital Universitario Sahlgrenska en Suecia y 48 de la Universidad de Florida, USA. Se utilizó el índice psicológico general de bienestar y el cuestionario internacional de resultados con IC para la recolección de datos. Las posibles variables independientes fueron factores socio-económicos, tales como edad, género, nacionalidad, formas de vida, educación, apoyo social y también el tiempo desde la implantación, la edad al presentarse la hipoacusia como problema y el beneficio subjetivo con el IC. Un análisis cuidadoso de regresión múltiple mostró que el 49% de la varianza puede explicarse por las actitudes de los demás, participación social restringida, percepción de apoyo social y edad.

Screening for Hearing Loss in Adolescents

Three-hundred-forty-two adolescents between the ages of 10–20 years were administered an auditory screening protocol consisting of a: (a) noise history questionnaire, (b) otoscopic inspection, (c) ...

Mean and median hearing thresholds among children 6 to 19 years of age: the Third National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 to 1994, United States.

Objective: The objective of this study was to provide the first national representative values for mean and median hearing thresholds among US children 6 to 19 yrs of age. Methods: Hearing thresholds were obtained from 6166 children in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988 to 1994), a national, population-based cross-sectional survey with household interview and audiometric testing at 0.5 to 8 kHz. Means, medians, and standard errors of the mean were obtained and reported by ear, frequency, sex, and age. Results: The mean and median thresholds ranged from 3.0 to 11.8 dB HL and −1.0 to 10.8 dB HL, respectively. The highest (poorest) thresholds were obtained at test frequencies above 4000 Hz. Similar mean and median thresholds were found between boys and girls at all frequencies. Conclusions: These data indicate that the mean thresholds fall below the standard screening guidelines recommended by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (≤20 dB HL for the frequencies from 1000≤20 dB HL for the frequencies from 2000, and 4000 Hz). The results of this study suggest the need to include the test frequency of 6000 Hz in screening protocols for children.

Telephone listening ability for hearing-impaired individuals

Forty-five subjects with bilateral sensorineural hearing losses were divided into three groups (N =15/group) based on the audiometric configuration of their test ear. The subjects were evaluated in three listening conditions by assessing their word discrimination ability by presenting stimuli at 86 dB SPL (simulating the output of a standard telephone handset) and most comfortable loudness (MCL) (simulating the output of a telephone amplifier handset). The three listening conditions were TDH-39 earphone, unaided telephone, and aided telephone with their personal hearing aid acoustically coupled to a telephone handset. Results indicated that subjects with precipitous hearing losses had similar word discrimination scores for all three listening conditions at 86 dB SPL and MCL. Subjects with gradual slope or flat hearing losses had similar word discrimination scores with a TDH-39 earphone, unaided telephone, and their hearing aids acoustically coupled to a telephone handset at 86 dB SPL. The subjects with gradual slope or flat losses also had similar word discrimination scores across the listening modes at MCL, but they had better word discrimination scores in all listening modes when the word lists were presented at MCL compared with 86 dB SPL.

Telephone listening ability in a noisy background.

Telephone handsets have a built-in side-tone feedback because the transmitter feeds back sound through the receiver, allowing users to monitor their voice levels. However, the side-tone feedback system also picks up background noise which interferes with the incoming speech signal. This study investigated the influence of side-tone feedback on the telephone listening ability of 30 normal-hearing subjects in a background of multitalker (MT) and white noise (WN) presented at 65, 75, and 85 dB SPL in two conditions where the side-tone feedback was present and in three conditions where the side-tone was eliminated. Telephone listening ability significantly decreased as the level of the noise increased for both MT and WN and for all listening conditions. Telephone listening ability was significantly poorer in the background of MT than WN for each noise level and listening condition. The primary finding was that telephone listening ability in a background of MT or WN at the higher levels was significantly improved when the side-tone feedback was eliminated by electronically disengaging or more simply by occluding the transmitter with the palm of the hand.

Functional performance in older adults with hearing loss: Application of the International Classification of Functioning brief core set for hearing loss: A pilot study

Abstract Objectives: The beta version of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) brief core set for hearing loss in adults was developed and recommended to be validated through the audiologic rehabilitation clinical practice. The aims of this pilot study were to validate the ICF brief core set by examining the dimensions of hearing performance measures used in a standard care university clinic specializing in amplification, and seeing if those dimensions support the structure provided by the core set. Design: ICF linking, classification, and qualifier coding procedures were applied on a data set identified from clinical records and two paper-pencil questionnaires; and completed by consensus of two experienced audiologists. Study sample: Forty-nine participants were recruited from an out-patient population at an audiology clinic. Results: Eighteen of 27 items from the brief core set were able to be linked and validated. Four factors were identified, and confirmed the structure of ICF concept: Auditory function, Other functions, Activities/contextual interaction, and Third-party disability. Further, three predictors significantly discriminated performance in 28 participants: the use of hearing assistive devices, speech-reading, and active social life. Conclusions: The ICF brief core set is a valuable tool for use in audiologic rehabilitation clinical practice and research design.

Bimodal Programming: A Survey of Current Clinical Practice

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the current clinical practice in approaches to bimodal programming in the United States. To be specific, if clinicians are recommending bimodal stimulation, who programs the hearing aid in the bimodal condition, and what method is used for programming the hearing aid? METHOD An 11-question online survey was created and sent via email to a comprehensive list of cochlear implant programming centers in the United States. The survey was sent to 360 recipients. RESULTS Respondents in this study represented a diverse group of clinical settings (response rate: 26%). Results indicate little agreement about who programs the hearing aids, when they are programmed, and how they are programmed in the bimodal condition. Analysis of small versus large implant centers indicated small centers are less likely to add a device to the contralateral ear. CONCLUSIONS Although a growing number of cochlear implant recipients choose to wear a hearing aid on the contralateral ear, there is inconsistency in the current clinical approach to bimodal programming. These survey results provide evidence of large variability in the current bimodal programming practices and indicate a need for more structured clinical recommendations and programming approaches.