Resources
It is the ambition to publish the scientific results at relevant scientific conference and in International peer-reviewed journals in the field. It is also the intention to share project deliverables openly, when relevant, and to produce material that may give further insight into our work. Please note that authors, organizations and publishers maintain their intellectual rights to the material shared here.
Publications
2021 |
Wu, Mengfan; Cañete, Oscar M; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass; Fereczkowski, Michal; Neher, Tobias Influence of Three Auditory Profiles on Aided Speech Perception in Different Noise Scenarios Journal Article Trends in Hearing, 25 , pp. 1–15, 2021. @article{doi:10.1177/23312165211023709, title = {Influence of Three Auditory Profiles on Aided Speech Perception in Different Noise Scenarios}, author = {Mengfan Wu and Oscar M Cañete and Jesper Hvass Schmidt and Michal Fereczkowski and Tobias Neher}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/23312165211023709}, doi = {10.1177/23312165211023709}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-06-29}, journal = {Trends in Hearing}, volume = {25}, pages = {1--15}, abstract = {Hearing aid (HA) users differ greatly in their speech-in-noise (SIN) outcomes. This could be because the degree to which current HA fittings can address individual listening needs differs across users and listening situations. In two earlier studies, an auditory test battery and a data-driven method were developed for classifying HA candidates into four distinct auditory profiles differing in audiometric hearing loss and suprathreshold hearing abilities. This study explored aided SIN outcome for three of these profiles in different noise scenarios. Thirty-one older habitual HA users and six young normal-hearing listeners participated. Two SIN tasks were administered: a speech recognition task and a “just follow conversation” task requiring the participants to self-adjust the target-speech level. Three noise conditions were tested: stationary speech-shaped noise, speech-shaped babble noise, and speech-shaped babble noise with competing dialogues. Each HA user was fitted with three HAs from different manufacturers using their recommended procedures. Real-ear measurements were performed to document the final gain settings. The results showed that HA users with mild hearing deficits performed better than HA users with pronounced hearing deficits on the speech recognition task but not the just follow conversation task. Moreover, participants with pronounced hearing deficits obtained different SIN outcomes with the tested HAs, which appeared to be related to differences in HA gain. Overall, these findings imply that current proprietary fitting strategies are limited in their ability to ensure good SIN outcomes, especially for users with pronounced hearing deficits, for whom the choice of device seems most consequential.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Hearing aid (HA) users differ greatly in their speech-in-noise (SIN) outcomes. This could be because the degree to which current HA fittings can address individual listening needs differs across users and listening situations. In two earlier studies, an auditory test battery and a data-driven method were developed for classifying HA candidates into four distinct auditory profiles differing in audiometric hearing loss and suprathreshold hearing abilities. This study explored aided SIN outcome for three of these profiles in different noise scenarios. Thirty-one older habitual HA users and six young normal-hearing listeners participated. Two SIN tasks were administered: a speech recognition task and a “just follow conversation” task requiring the participants to self-adjust the target-speech level. Three noise conditions were tested: stationary speech-shaped noise, speech-shaped babble noise, and speech-shaped babble noise with competing dialogues. Each HA user was fitted with three HAs from different manufacturers using their recommended procedures. Real-ear measurements were performed to document the final gain settings. The results showed that HA users with mild hearing deficits performed better than HA users with pronounced hearing deficits on the speech recognition task but not the just follow conversation task. Moreover, participants with pronounced hearing deficits obtained different SIN outcomes with the tested HAs, which appeared to be related to differences in HA gain. Overall, these findings imply that current proprietary fitting strategies are limited in their ability to ensure good SIN outcomes, especially for users with pronounced hearing deficits, for whom the choice of device seems most consequential. |
Houmøller, Sabina Storbjerg Self-Reported Hearing Aid Effectiveness in Patients with Age-Related Hearing Loss PhD Thesis PhD thesis, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark, 2021. @phdthesis{Sabina_PhD, title = {Self-Reported Hearing Aid Effectiveness in Patients with Age-Related Hearing Loss}, author = {Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller}, url = {https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/files/184074887/PhD_thesis_for_print_Houm_ller_2021_FINAL.pdf}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-06-22}, school = {PhD thesis, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark}, type = {PhD thesis}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {phdthesis} } |
Houmøller, Sabina Storbjerg; Wolff, Anne; Narne, Vijaya K; Narayanan, Sreeram Kaithali; Godballe, Christian; Hougaard, Dan Dupont; Loquet, Gérard; Gaihede, Michael L; Hammershøi, Dorte; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass International Journal of Audiology, pp. 1-11, 2021. @article{doi:10.1080/14992027.2021.1916632, title = {Prediction of successful hearing aid treatment in first-time and experienced hearing aid users: Using the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids}, author = {Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller and Anne Wolff and Vijaya K. Narne and Sreeram Kaithali Narayanan and Christian Godballe and Dan Dupont Hougaard and Gérard Loquet and Michael L Gaihede and Dorte Hammershøi and Jesper Hvass Schmidt}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2021.1916632}, doi = {10.1080/14992027.2021.1916632}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-05-25}, journal = {International Journal of Audiology}, pages = {1-11}, abstract = {Objective: Primarily to understand whether clinically relevant factors affect the International Outcome Inventory (IOI-HA) scores and to examine if IOI-HA scores improve when renewing the hearing aids (HA) for experienced users. Secondly, to estimate the overall HA effectiveness using the IOI-HA. Design: A prospective observational study. Study sample: In total, 1961 patients with hearing loss were included. All patients underwent a hearing examination, were fitted with HAs, and answered the IOI-HA. Factor analysis of IOI-HA separated the items into a Factor 1 (use of HA, perceived benefits, satisfaction, and quality of life) and Factor 2 (residual activity limitation, residual participation restriction and impact on others) score. Results: Degree of hearing loss, word recognition score, motivation, HA usage time, tinnitus, asymmetry, and sex were significantly associated with total IOI-HA, Factor 1, or Factor 2 scores. The seven IOI-HA items increased on average by 0.4 (p < 0.001) when renewing HAs. The total median IOI-HA score at follow-up was 29 (7) for experienced (n = 460) and first-time users (n = 1189), respectively. Conclusions: Degree of hearing loss, word recognition score, motivation, tinnitus, asymmetry, and sex may be used to identify patients who require special attention to become successful HA users.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Objective: Primarily to understand whether clinically relevant factors affect the International Outcome Inventory (IOI-HA) scores and to examine if IOI-HA scores improve when renewing the hearing aids (HA) for experienced users. Secondly, to estimate the overall HA effectiveness using the IOI-HA. Design: A prospective observational study. Study sample: In total, 1961 patients with hearing loss were included. All patients underwent a hearing examination, were fitted with HAs, and answered the IOI-HA. Factor analysis of IOI-HA separated the items into a Factor 1 (use of HA, perceived benefits, satisfaction, and quality of life) and Factor 2 (residual activity limitation, residual participation restriction and impact on others) score. Results: Degree of hearing loss, word recognition score, motivation, HA usage time, tinnitus, asymmetry, and sex were significantly associated with total IOI-HA, Factor 1, or Factor 2 scores. The seven IOI-HA items increased on average by 0.4 (p < 0.001) when renewing HAs. The total median IOI-HA score at follow-up was 29 (7) for experienced (n = 460) and first-time users (n = 1189), respectively. Conclusions: Degree of hearing loss, word recognition score, motivation, tinnitus, asymmetry, and sex may be used to identify patients who require special attention to become successful HA users. |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Dau, Torsten; Whitmer, William M Audiometric profiles and patterns of benefit: a data-driven analysis of subjective hearing difficulties and handicaps Journal Article International Journal of Audiology, pp. 1–10, 2021. @article{doi:10.1080/14992027.2021.1905890, title = {Audiometric profiles and patterns of benefit: a data-driven analysis of subjective hearing difficulties and handicaps}, author = {Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Torsten Dau and William M Whitmer}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2021.1905890}, doi = {10.1080/14992027.2021.1905890}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-04-07}, journal = {International Journal of Audiology}, pages = {1--10}, publisher = {Taylor & Francis}, abstract = {Objective: Hearing rehabilitation attempts to compensate for auditory dysfunction, reduce hearing difficulties and minimise participation restrictions that can lead to social isolation. However, there is no systematic approach to assess the quality of the intervention at an individual level that might help to evaluate the need of further hearing rehabilitation in the hearing care clinic. Design: A data-driven analysis on subjective data reflecting hearing disabilities and handicap was chosen to explore “benefit patterns” as a result of rehabilitation in different audiometric groups. The method was based on (1) dimensionality reduction; (2) stratification; (3) archetypal analysis; (4) clustering; (5) item importance estimation. Study sample: 572 hearing-aid users completed questionnaires of hearing difficulties (speech, spatial and qualities hearing scale; SSQ) and hearing handicap (HHQ). Results: The data-driven approach revealed four benefit profiles that were different for each audiometric group. The groups with low degree of high-frequency hearing loss (HLHF) showed a priority for rehabilitating hearing handicaps, whereas the groups with HLHF > 50 dB HL showed a priority for improvements in speech understanding. Conclusions: The patterns of benefit and the stratification approach might guide the clinical intervention strategy and improve the efficacy and quality of service in the hearing care clinic.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Objective: Hearing rehabilitation attempts to compensate for auditory dysfunction, reduce hearing difficulties and minimise participation restrictions that can lead to social isolation. However, there is no systematic approach to assess the quality of the intervention at an individual level that might help to evaluate the need of further hearing rehabilitation in the hearing care clinic. Design: A data-driven analysis on subjective data reflecting hearing disabilities and handicap was chosen to explore “benefit patterns” as a result of rehabilitation in different audiometric groups. The method was based on (1) dimensionality reduction; (2) stratification; (3) archetypal analysis; (4) clustering; (5) item importance estimation. Study sample: 572 hearing-aid users completed questionnaires of hearing difficulties (speech, spatial and qualities hearing scale; SSQ) and hearing handicap (HHQ). Results: The data-driven approach revealed four benefit profiles that were different for each audiometric group. The groups with low degree of high-frequency hearing loss (HLHF) showed a priority for rehabilitating hearing handicaps, whereas the groups with HLHF > 50 dB HL showed a priority for improvements in speech understanding. Conclusions: The patterns of benefit and the stratification approach might guide the clinical intervention strategy and improve the efficacy and quality of service in the hearing care clinic. |
Narne, Vijaya K; Möller, Sören; Wolff, Anne; Houmøller, Sabina S; Loquet, Gérard; Hammershøi, Dorte; Schmidt, Jesper H Confidence Limits of Word Identification Scores Derived Using Nonlinear Quantile Regression Journal Article Trends in Hearing, 25 , pp. 1-9, 2021. @article{doi:10.1177/2331216520983110, title = {Confidence Limits of Word Identification Scores Derived Using Nonlinear Quantile Regression}, author = {Vijaya K Narne and Sören Möller and Anne Wolff and Sabina S Houmøller and Gérard Loquet and Dorte Hammershøi and Jesper H Schmidt}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2331216520983110}, doi = {10.1177/2331216520983110}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-01-25}, journal = {Trends in Hearing}, volume = {25}, pages = {1-9}, abstract = {The relation between degree of sensorineural hearing loss and maximum speech identification scores (PBmax) is commonly used in audiological diagnosis and rehabilitation. It is important to consider the relation between the degree of hearing loss and the lower boundary of PBmax, as the PBmax varies largely between subjects at a given degree of hearing loss. The present study determines the lower boundary by estimating the lower limit of the one-tailed 95% confidence limit (CL) for a Dantale I, word list, in a large group of young and older subjects with primarily sensorineural hearing loss. PBmax scores were measured using Dantale I, at 30 dB above the speech reception threshold or at the most comfortable level from 1,961 subjects with a wide range of pure-tone averages. A nonlinear quantile regression approach was applied to determine the lower boundary (95% CL) of PBmax scores. At a specific pure-tone average, if the measured PBmax is poorer than the lower boundary (95% CL) of PBmax, it may be considered disproportionately poor.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The relation between degree of sensorineural hearing loss and maximum speech identification scores (PBmax) is commonly used in audiological diagnosis and rehabilitation. It is important to consider the relation between the degree of hearing loss and the lower boundary of PBmax, as the PBmax varies largely between subjects at a given degree of hearing loss. The present study determines the lower boundary by estimating the lower limit of the one-tailed 95% confidence limit (CL) for a Dantale I, word list, in a large group of young and older subjects with primarily sensorineural hearing loss. PBmax scores were measured using Dantale I, at 30 dB above the speech reception threshold or at the most comfortable level from 1,961 subjects with a wide range of pure-tone averages. A nonlinear quantile regression approach was applied to determine the lower boundary (95% CL) of PBmax scores. At a specific pure-tone average, if the measured PBmax is poorer than the lower boundary (95% CL) of PBmax, it may be considered disproportionately poor. |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Fereczkowski, Michal; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten; Neher, Tobias Towards Auditory Profile-Based Hearing-Aid Fitting: Fitting Rationale and Pilot Evaluation Journal Article Audiology Research, 11 (1), pp. 10–21, 2021, ISBN: 2039-4349. @article{audiolres11010002, title = {Towards Auditory Profile-Based Hearing-Aid Fitting: Fitting Rationale and Pilot Evaluation}, author = {Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Michal Fereczkowski and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau and Tobias Neher}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4349/11/1/2}}, doi = {10.3390/audiolres11010002}, isbn = {2039-4349}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-01-16}, journal = {Audiology Research}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {10--21}, abstract = {Background—The clinical characterization of hearing deficits for hearing-aid fitting purposes is typically based on the pure-tone audiogram only. In a previous study, a group of hearing-impaired listeners completed a comprehensive test battery that was designed to tap into different dimensions of hearing abilities. A data-driven analysis of the data yielded four clinically relevant patient sub-populations or “auditory profiles”. The purpose of the current study was to propose and pilot-test profile-based hearing-aid settings in order to explore their potential for providing more targeted hearing-aid treatment. Methods—Four candidate hearing-aid settings were developed and evaluated by a subset of the participants tested previously. The evaluation consisted of multi-comparison preference ratings that were carried out in realistic sound scenarios. Results—Listeners belonging to the different auditory profiles showed different patterns of preference for the tested hearing-aid settings that were largely consistent with the expectations. Conclusions—The results of this pilot evaluation support further investigations into stratified, profile-based hearing-aid fitting with wearable hearing aids.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Background—The clinical characterization of hearing deficits for hearing-aid fitting purposes is typically based on the pure-tone audiogram only. In a previous study, a group of hearing-impaired listeners completed a comprehensive test battery that was designed to tap into different dimensions of hearing abilities. A data-driven analysis of the data yielded four clinically relevant patient sub-populations or “auditory profiles”. The purpose of the current study was to propose and pilot-test profile-based hearing-aid settings in order to explore their potential for providing more targeted hearing-aid treatment. Methods—Four candidate hearing-aid settings were developed and evaluated by a subset of the participants tested previously. The evaluation consisted of multi-comparison preference ratings that were carried out in realistic sound scenarios. Results—Listeners belonging to the different auditory profiles showed different patterns of preference for the tested hearing-aid settings that were largely consistent with the expectations. Conclusions—The results of this pilot evaluation support further investigations into stratified, profile-based hearing-aid fitting with wearable hearing aids. |
2020 |
Wu, Mengfan; Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; El-Haj-Ali, Mouhamad; Nielsen, Silje G; Fereczkowski, Michal; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sébastien; Neher, Tobias Trends in Hearing, 24 , pp. 1-12, 2020. @article{doi:10.1177/2331216520960861, title = {Investigating the Effects of Four Auditory Profiles on Speech Recognition, Overall Quality, and Noise Annoyance With Simulated Hearing-Aid Processing Strategies}, author = {Mengfan Wu and Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Mouhamad El-Haj-Ali and Silje G Nielsen and Michal Fereczkowski and Torsten Dau and Sébastien Santurette and Tobias Neher}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2331216520960861}, doi = {10.1177/2331216520960861}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-10-19}, journal = {Trends in Hearing}, volume = {24}, pages = {1-12}, abstract = {Effective hearing aid (HA) rehabilitation requires personalization of the HA fitting parameters, but in current clinical practice only the gain prescription is typically individualized. To optimize the fitting process, advanced HA settings such as noise reduction and microphone directionality can also be tailored to individual hearing deficits. In two earlier studies, an auditory test battery and a data-driven approach that allow classifying hearing-impaired listeners into four auditory profiles were developed. Because these profiles were found to be characterized by markedly different hearing abilities, it was hypothesized that more tailored HA fittings would lead to better outcomes for such listeners. Here, we explored potential interactions between the four auditory profiles and HA outcome as assessed with three different measures (speech recognition, overall quality, and noise annoyance) and six HA processing strategies with various noise reduction, directionality, and compression settings. Using virtual acoustics, a realistic speech-in-noise environment was simulated. The stimuli were generated using a HA simulator and presented to 49 habitual HA users who had previously been profiled. The four auditory profiles differed clearly in terms of their mean aided speech reception thresholds, thereby implying different needs in terms of signal-to-noise ratio improvement. However, no clear interactions with the tested HA processing strategies were found. Overall, these findings suggest that the auditory profiles can capture some of the individual differences in HA processing needs and that further research is required to identify suitable HA solutions for them. }, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Effective hearing aid (HA) rehabilitation requires personalization of the HA fitting parameters, but in current clinical practice only the gain prescription is typically individualized. To optimize the fitting process, advanced HA settings such as noise reduction and microphone directionality can also be tailored to individual hearing deficits. In two earlier studies, an auditory test battery and a data-driven approach that allow classifying hearing-impaired listeners into four auditory profiles were developed. Because these profiles were found to be characterized by markedly different hearing abilities, it was hypothesized that more tailored HA fittings would lead to better outcomes for such listeners. Here, we explored potential interactions between the four auditory profiles and HA outcome as assessed with three different measures (speech recognition, overall quality, and noise annoyance) and six HA processing strategies with various noise reduction, directionality, and compression settings. Using virtual acoustics, a realistic speech-in-noise environment was simulated. The stimuli were generated using a HA simulator and presented to 49 habitual HA users who had previously been profiled. The four auditory profiles differed clearly in terms of their mean aided speech reception thresholds, thereby implying different needs in terms of signal-to-noise ratio improvement. However, no clear interactions with the tested HA processing strategies were found. Overall, these findings suggest that the auditory profiles can capture some of the individual differences in HA processing needs and that further research is required to identify suitable HA solutions for them. |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul Clinical auditory profiling and profile-based hearing-aid fitting PhD Thesis PhD thesis, Hearing Systems, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark, 2020. @phdthesis{RSL_PhD, title = {Clinical auditory profiling and profile-based hearing-aid fitting}, author = {Raul Sanchez-Lopez }, url = {https://orbit.dtu.dk/files/238103846/Raul_Sanchez_thesis.pdf}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-08-14}, address = {Akademivej, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark}, school = {PhD thesis, Hearing Systems, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark}, type = {PhD thesis}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {phdthesis} } |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul H; Fereczkowski, Michal; Neher, Tobias; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten Robust auditory profiling: Improved data-driven method and profile definitions for better hearing rehabilitation Inproceedings Kressner, Abigail Anne; Regev, Jonathan; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jakob; Tranebjærg, Lisbeth; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten (Ed.): Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, pp. 281-288, 2020. @inproceedings{ISAAR2019_Raul_print, title = {Robust auditory profiling: Improved data-driven method and profile definitions for better hearing rehabilitation}, author = {Raul H Sanchez-Lopez and Michal Fereczkowski and Tobias Neher and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau}, editor = {Abigail Anne Kressner and Jonathan Regev and Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard and Lisbeth Tranebjærg and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau }, url = {https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2019-32}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-05-13}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research}, volume = {7}, pages = {281-288}, abstract = {Currently, the clinical characterization of hearing deficits for hearing-aid fitting is based on the pure-tone audiogram only. This relies on the assumption that the audiogram can predict performance in complex, supra-threshold tasks. Sanchez-Lopez et al. (2018) hypothesized that the hearing deficits of a given listener, both at threshold and supra-threshold levels, result from two independent types of auditory distortions. The authors performed a data-driven analysis of two large datasets with results from several tests, which led to the identification of four auditory profiles. However, the definition of the two types of distortion was challenged by differences between the two datasets in terms of the tests and listeners considered. In the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project, a new dataset was generated with the aim of overcoming these limitations. A heterogeneous group of listeners was tested using measures of speech intelligibility, loudness perception, binaural processing abilities and spectro-temporal resolution. As a consequence, the auditory profiles of Sanchez-Lopez et al. (2018) were refined. The updated auditory profiles, together with the investigation of optimal hearing-aid compensation strategies, are expected to form a solid basis for improved hearing-aid fitting.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Currently, the clinical characterization of hearing deficits for hearing-aid fitting is based on the pure-tone audiogram only. This relies on the assumption that the audiogram can predict performance in complex, supra-threshold tasks. Sanchez-Lopez et al. (2018) hypothesized that the hearing deficits of a given listener, both at threshold and supra-threshold levels, result from two independent types of auditory distortions. The authors performed a data-driven analysis of two large datasets with results from several tests, which led to the identification of four auditory profiles. However, the definition of the two types of distortion was challenged by differences between the two datasets in terms of the tests and listeners considered. In the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project, a new dataset was generated with the aim of overcoming these limitations. A heterogeneous group of listeners was tested using measures of speech intelligibility, loudness perception, binaural processing abilities and spectro-temporal resolution. As a consequence, the auditory profiles of Sanchez-Lopez et al. (2018) were refined. The updated auditory profiles, together with the investigation of optimal hearing-aid compensation strategies, are expected to form a solid basis for improved hearing-aid fitting. |
Lund, Katja; Ordoñez, Rodrigo; Nielsen, Jens Bo; Hammershøi, Dorte “Yes, I have experienced that!” – How daily life experiences may be harvested from new hearing aid users Inproceedings Kressner, Abigail Anne; Regev, Jonathan; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jakob; Tranebjærg, Lisbeth; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten (Ed.): Proceedings of the International Symposium on Audiogory and Audiological Research, pp. 381-388, 2020. @inproceedings{ISAAR2019Klu_print, title = {“Yes, I have experienced that!” – How daily life experiences may be harvested from new hearing aid users}, author = {Katja Lund and Rodrigo Ordoñez and Jens Bo Nielsen and Dorte Hammershøi}, editor = {Abigail Anne Kressner and Jonathan Regev and Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard and Lisbeth Tranebjærg and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau }, url = {https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2019-44}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-05-01}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Symposium on Audiogory and Audiological Research}, volume = {7}, pages = {381-388}, abstract = {Both auditory and non-auditory aspects of the rehabilitation process play a role in successful hearing aid uptake. The sound may be experienced differently in the clinic compared to daily life and the skills and knowledge related to HA use vary from patient to patient. The aim of the present study is to assess daily life experiences of new hearing aid users and to explore ways to utilize these assessments in a follow-up situation. The approach is based on online reporting, where the patients over a period of two months “swipe” through 453 possible experiences related to HA use. Seventeen patients volunteered to register experiences for a period of two months, and participated in a follow-up interview, where the registered data were presented. Results suggest that data can shed light on the development within various categories of hearing aid experience and promote reflection on the hearing rehabilitation process.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Both auditory and non-auditory aspects of the rehabilitation process play a role in successful hearing aid uptake. The sound may be experienced differently in the clinic compared to daily life and the skills and knowledge related to HA use vary from patient to patient. The aim of the present study is to assess daily life experiences of new hearing aid users and to explore ways to utilize these assessments in a follow-up situation. The approach is based on online reporting, where the patients over a period of two months “swipe” through 453 possible experiences related to HA use. Seventeen patients volunteered to register experiences for a period of two months, and participated in a follow-up interview, where the registered data were presented. Results suggest that data can shed light on the development within various categories of hearing aid experience and promote reflection on the hearing rehabilitation process. |
Piechowiak, Tobias; Zapala, David Using BEAR data to obtain reduced versions of the SSQ-12 and IOI-HA-7 questionnaires Tobias Piechowiak Inproceedings Kressner, Abigail Anne; Regev, Jonathan; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jakob; Tranebjærg, Lisbeth; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten (Ed.): Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, pp. 237-264, 2020. @inproceedings{ISAAR2019_TobiasP_pring´t, title = {Using BEAR data to obtain reduced versions of the SSQ-12 and IOI-HA-7 questionnaires Tobias Piechowiak}, author = {Tobias Piechowiak and David Zapala}, editor = {Abigail Anne Kressner and Jonathan Regev and Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard and Lisbeth Tranebjærg and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau }, url = {https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2019-29}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-05-01}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research}, volume = {7}, pages = {237-264}, abstract = {The Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale (SSQ-12) and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA-7) are questionnaires containing 12 and 7 items, respectively. They are designed to subjectively assess hearing ability and are complementary to behavioral measures. Both questionnaires have been applied across a range of clinical and clinical research-related contexts, for example for assessing outcomes of e.g., cochlear implants and hearing aids. However, due to time constraints neither of the questionnaires seem to be an inherent part of standard clinical quality control. The Better Hearing Rehabilitation (BEAR) database contains SSQ- 12 and IOI-HA-7 scores of around 1600 subjects. Applying an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) on the data from the 2nd visit allowed us to reduce the SSQ-12 to 5 questions and the IOI-HA to 3 remaining questions. The SSQ-5 explains 79% of the variance in the SSQ-12 data while the IOI-HA-3 accounts for 70% of the variance in the original IOI-HA-7. These new versions have the potential to be used more efficiently by shortening time and focusing on the items that are most effective to reflect individual benefit. Furthermore, the analysis seems to confirm the validity of such a reduction from similar findings in the literature that were done on different datasets.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } The Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale (SSQ-12) and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA-7) are questionnaires containing 12 and 7 items, respectively. They are designed to subjectively assess hearing ability and are complementary to behavioral measures. Both questionnaires have been applied across a range of clinical and clinical research-related contexts, for example for assessing outcomes of e.g., cochlear implants and hearing aids. However, due to time constraints neither of the questionnaires seem to be an inherent part of standard clinical quality control. The Better Hearing Rehabilitation (BEAR) database contains SSQ- 12 and IOI-HA-7 scores of around 1600 subjects. Applying an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) on the data from the 2nd visit allowed us to reduce the SSQ-12 to 5 questions and the IOI-HA to 3 remaining questions. The SSQ-5 explains 79% of the variance in the SSQ-12 data while the IOI-HA-3 accounts for 70% of the variance in the original IOI-HA-7. These new versions have the potential to be used more efficiently by shortening time and focusing on the items that are most effective to reflect individual benefit. Furthermore, the analysis seems to confirm the validity of such a reduction from similar findings in the literature that were done on different datasets. |
Hammershøi, Dorte; Wolff, Anne; Andersen, Lykke Junker; Mortensen, Rikke Louise; Nielsen, Mads Dalsgaard; Larsen, Stefanie Aagard Skov A word elicitation study including the development of scales characterizing aided listening experience Inproceedings Kressner, Abigail Anne; Regev, Jonathan; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jakob; Tranebjærg, Lisbeth; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten (Ed.): Proceedings of the International Symposium on Audiogory and Audiological Research, pp. 297-304, 2020. @inproceedings{ISAARPDP780print, title = {A word elicitation study including the development of scales characterizing aided listening experience}, author = {Dorte Hammershøi and Anne Wolff and Lykke Junker Andersen and Rikke Louise Mortensen and Mads Dalsgaard Nielsen and Stefanie Aagard Skov Larsen}, editor = {Abigail Anne Kressner and Jonathan Regev and Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard and Lisbeth Tranebjærg and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau }, url = {https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2019-34}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-04-22}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Symposium on Audiogory and Audiological Research}, volume = {7}, pages = {297-304}, abstract = {The purpose of the present study was to identify the terms hearing aid professionals and their patients use in the communication about the aided listening experience and develop scales that would help characterize this experience in the domain of corrective actions that a hearing care professional may apply. The study comprised a word elicitation task based on observations and interviews from consultations at the Aalborg University Hospital. The results were analyzed by developing an affinity diagram. The resulting 80 words were then sorted by three hearing professionals in a supervised card sorting session. The resulting attributes were included in a 63-point scale design, which (in a usability test including eight hearing-aid users) were considered easy to survey and use, but also including some redundancy and ambiguities. The results suggest that it is possible to develop scales based on the voluntary statements expressed during actual consultations, but it remains uncertain whether the expressions will be interpreted the same way by other patients and professionals.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } The purpose of the present study was to identify the terms hearing aid professionals and their patients use in the communication about the aided listening experience and develop scales that would help characterize this experience in the domain of corrective actions that a hearing care professional may apply. The study comprised a word elicitation task based on observations and interviews from consultations at the Aalborg University Hospital. The results were analyzed by developing an affinity diagram. The resulting 80 words were then sorted by three hearing professionals in a supervised card sorting session. The resulting attributes were included in a 63-point scale design, which (in a usability test including eight hearing-aid users) were considered easy to survey and use, but also including some redundancy and ambiguities. The results suggest that it is possible to develop scales based on the voluntary statements expressed during actual consultations, but it remains uncertain whether the expressions will be interpreted the same way by other patients and professionals. |
Narayanan, Sreeram Kaithali; Piechowiak, Tobias; Wolff, Anne; Houmøller, Sabina Storbjerg; Narne, Vijaya K; Loquet, Gérard; Hougaard, Dan Dupont; Gaihede, Michael; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass; Hammershøi, Dorte Speech related hearing aid benefit index derived from standardized self-reported questionnaire data Inproceedings Kressner, Abigail Anne; Regev, Jonathan; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jakob; Tranebjærg, Lisbeth; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten (Ed.): Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, 2020. @inproceedings{ISAAR2019_sreeram_print, title = {Speech related hearing aid benefit index derived from standardized self-reported questionnaire data}, author = {Sreeram Kaithali Narayanan and Tobias Piechowiak and Anne Wolff and Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller and Vijaya K. Narne and Gérard Loquet and Dan Dupont Hougaard and Michael Gaihede and Jesper Hvass Schmidt and Dorte Hammershøi}, editor = {Abigail Anne Kressner and Jonathan Regev and Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard and Lisbeth Tranebjærg and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau }, url = {https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2019-45}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-04-14}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research}, volume = {7}, abstract = {Speech understanding in noisy environments has been the most desired hearing-aid (HA) benefit sought by HA users. This paper examines the possibility of developing a speech-related HA benefit index from the speech- related questions in the self-reported questionnaire data. One question from Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) instrument 15D and nine questions from the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) having a direct implication to speech were selected for the analysis. After applying weights relevant to 15D, a delta of base-line (prior to HA fitting) and follow-up (two months after the initial fitting) responses to the selected questions were determined. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the scaled and centered delta values. The resultant principal component scores were used to derive the composite index indicative of speech-related HA benefit.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Speech understanding in noisy environments has been the most desired hearing-aid (HA) benefit sought by HA users. This paper examines the possibility of developing a speech-related HA benefit index from the speech- related questions in the self-reported questionnaire data. One question from Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) instrument 15D and nine questions from the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) having a direct implication to speech were selected for the analysis. After applying weights relevant to 15D, a delta of base-line (prior to HA fitting) and follow-up (two months after the initial fitting) responses to the selected questions were determined. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the scaled and centered delta values. The resultant principal component scores were used to derive the composite index indicative of speech-related HA benefit. |
Wu, Mengfan; Lopez, Raul Sanchez; El-Haj-Ali, Mouhamad; Nielsen, Silje Grini; Fereczkowski, Michal; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sébastien; Neher, Tobias Kressner, Abigail Anne; Regev, Jonathan; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jakob; Tranebjærg, Lisbeth; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten (Ed.): Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, pp. 265-272, 2020. @inproceedings{ISAAR2019_WU_print, title = {Perceptual evaluation of six hearing-aid processing strategies from the perspective of auditory profiling: Insights from the BEAR project}, author = {Mengfan Wu and Raul Sanchez Lopez and Mouhamad El-Haj-Ali and Silje Grini Nielsen and Michal Fereczkowski and Torsten Dau and Sébastien Santurette and Tobias Neher}, editor = {Abigail Anne Kressner and Jonathan Regev and Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard and Lisbeth Tranebjærg and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau }, url = {https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2019-30}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-04-08}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research}, volume = {7}, pages = {265-272}, abstract = {The current study forms part of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project, which aims at developing new clinical tools for characterizing individual hearing loss and for assessing hearing-aid (HA) benefit. Its purpose was to investigate potential interactions between four auditory profiles and three measures of HA outcome obtained for six HA processing strategies. Measurements were carried out in a realistic noise environment at signal-to-noise ratios that were set based on individual aided speech reception thresholds (SRT50). Speech recognition scores and ratings of overall quality and noise annoyance were collected in two spatial conditions. The stimuli were generated with the help of a HA simulator and presented via headphones to 60 older, habitual HA users who had previously been profiled based on a data-driven approach (Sanchez-Lopez et al., 2019). The four auditory profiles differed significantly in terms of mean aided SRT50 and interacted significantly with the HA processing strategies for speech recognition in one spatial condition. Moreover, the correlation-pattern between the speech recognition scores and subjective ratings differed among the auditory profiles.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } The current study forms part of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project, which aims at developing new clinical tools for characterizing individual hearing loss and for assessing hearing-aid (HA) benefit. Its purpose was to investigate potential interactions between four auditory profiles and three measures of HA outcome obtained for six HA processing strategies. Measurements were carried out in a realistic noise environment at signal-to-noise ratios that were set based on individual aided speech reception thresholds (SRT50). Speech recognition scores and ratings of overall quality and noise annoyance were collected in two spatial conditions. The stimuli were generated with the help of a HA simulator and presented via headphones to 60 older, habitual HA users who had previously been profiled based on a data-driven approach (Sanchez-Lopez et al., 2019). The four auditory profiles differed significantly in terms of mean aided SRT50 and interacted significantly with the HA processing strategies for speech recognition in one spatial condition. Moreover, the correlation-pattern between the speech recognition scores and subjective ratings differed among the auditory profiles. |
Wolff, Anne Health-Related Quality of Life following Hearing Aid Treatment PhD Thesis PhD thesis, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University, Denmark, 2020. @phdthesis{AW_PhD, title = {Health-Related Quality of Life following Hearing Aid Treatment}, author = {Anne Wolff}, url = {https://vbn.aau.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/332448879/PHD_Anne_Wolff_E_pdf.pdf}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-03-06}, address = {Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiologi}, school = {PhD thesis, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University, Denmark}, type = {PhD thesis}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {phdthesis} } |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Fereczkowski, Michal; Neher, Tobias; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten Robust Data-Driven Auditory Profiling Towards Precision Audiology Journal Article Trends in Hearing, 24 , pp. 1-19, 2020. @article{doi:10.1177/2331216520973539, title = {Robust Data-Driven Auditory Profiling Towards Precision Audiology}, author = {Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Michal Fereczkowski and Tobias Neher and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2331216520973539}, doi = {10.1177/2331216520973539}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-01-01}, journal = {Trends in Hearing}, volume = {24}, pages = {1-19}, abstract = {The sources and consequences of a sensorineural hearing loss are diverse. While several approaches have aimed at disentangling the physiological and perceptual consequences of different etiologies, hearing deficit characterization and rehabilitation have been dominated by the results from pure-tone audiometry. Here, we present a novel approach based on data-driven profiling of perceptual auditory deficits that attempts to represent auditory phenomena that are usually hidden by, or entangled with, audibility loss. We hypothesize that the hearing deficits of a given listener, both at hearing threshold and at suprathreshold sound levels, result from two independent types of “auditory distortions.” In this two-dimensional space, four distinct “auditory profiles” can be identified. To test this hypothesis, we gathered a data set consisting of a heterogeneous group of listeners that were evaluated using measures of speech intelligibility, loudness perception, binaural processing abilities, and spectrotemporal resolution. The subsequent analysis revealed that distortion type-I was associated with elevated hearing thresholds at high frequencies and reduced temporal masking release and was significantly correlated with elevated speech reception thresholds in noise. Distortion type-II was associated with low-frequency hearing loss and abnormally steep loudness functions. The auditory profiles represent four robust subpopulations of hearing-impaired listeners that exhibit different degrees of perceptual distortions. The four auditory profiles may provide a valuable basis for improved hearing rehabilitation, for example, through profile-based hearing-aid fitting.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The sources and consequences of a sensorineural hearing loss are diverse. While several approaches have aimed at disentangling the physiological and perceptual consequences of different etiologies, hearing deficit characterization and rehabilitation have been dominated by the results from pure-tone audiometry. Here, we present a novel approach based on data-driven profiling of perceptual auditory deficits that attempts to represent auditory phenomena that are usually hidden by, or entangled with, audibility loss. We hypothesize that the hearing deficits of a given listener, both at hearing threshold and at suprathreshold sound levels, result from two independent types of “auditory distortions.” In this two-dimensional space, four distinct “auditory profiles” can be identified. To test this hypothesis, we gathered a data set consisting of a heterogeneous group of listeners that were evaluated using measures of speech intelligibility, loudness perception, binaural processing abilities, and spectrotemporal resolution. The subsequent analysis revealed that distortion type-I was associated with elevated hearing thresholds at high frequencies and reduced temporal masking release and was significantly correlated with elevated speech reception thresholds in noise. Distortion type-II was associated with low-frequency hearing loss and abnormally steep loudness functions. The auditory profiles represent four robust subpopulations of hearing-impaired listeners that exhibit different degrees of perceptual distortions. The four auditory profiles may provide a valuable basis for improved hearing rehabilitation, for example, through profile-based hearing-aid fitting. |
2019 |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Nielsen, Silje; Cañete, Oscar; Fereczkowski, Michal; Wu, Mengfan; Neher, Tobias; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sebastién Proceedings of the 23rd International Congress on Acoustics (ICA 2019), Aachen, Germany, Sept 9-13 2019., pp. 3841-3848, International Commission of Acoustics 2019. @inproceedings{ica2019rsl, title = {A Clinical Test Battery for Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR). Towards the prediction of individual auditory deficits and hearing-aid benefit}, author = {Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Silje Nielsen and Oscar Cañete and Michal Fereczkowski and Mengfan Wu and Tobias Neher and Torsten Dau and Sebastién Santurette}, url = {http://pub.dega-akustik.de/ICA2019/data/articles/000470.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-09-11}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 23rd International Congress on Acoustics (ICA 2019), Aachen, Germany, Sept 9-13 2019.}, pages = {3841-3848}, organization = {International Commission of Acoustics}, abstract = {One aim of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project is to define a new clinical profiling tool, a test-battery, for individualized hearing loss characterization. Recently, Sanchez-Lopez et al. (ISAAR 2019) proposed a test battery for hearing deficit characterization. The proposed tests were divided into six categories: audibility, middle-ear analysis, speech perception, binaural-processing abilities, loudness perception, and spectro-temporal resolution. The results of 54 listeners were analyzed using a data-driven approach (Sanchez-Lopez et al., 2018), which provided evidence for the existence of two independent sources of distortion and four different auditory profiles. The classification of the listeners into auditory profiles allows the prediction of the performance of the listeners on different psychoacoustic tasks as well as their expected performance while wearing hearing aids. For the classification, a decision tree with only the most predictive tests is desirable for a correct classification of the listeners. The present study aims to explore the optimal decision tree and to propose a reduced, reliable and time-efficient test battery that can classify listeners into the four auditory profiles in a clinical environment. The clinical test battery will be used in a large-scale study that will help implement a protocol for better hearing rehabilitation.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } One aim of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project is to define a new clinical profiling tool, a test-battery, for individualized hearing loss characterization. Recently, Sanchez-Lopez et al. (ISAAR 2019) proposed a test battery for hearing deficit characterization. The proposed tests were divided into six categories: audibility, middle-ear analysis, speech perception, binaural-processing abilities, loudness perception, and spectro-temporal resolution. The results of 54 listeners were analyzed using a data-driven approach (Sanchez-Lopez et al., 2018), which provided evidence for the existence of two independent sources of distortion and four different auditory profiles. The classification of the listeners into auditory profiles allows the prediction of the performance of the listeners on different psychoacoustic tasks as well as their expected performance while wearing hearing aids. For the classification, a decision tree with only the most predictive tests is desirable for a correct classification of the listeners. The present study aims to explore the optimal decision tree and to propose a reduced, reliable and time-efficient test battery that can classify listeners into the four auditory profiles in a clinical environment. The clinical test battery will be used in a large-scale study that will help implement a protocol for better hearing rehabilitation. |
Wu, Mengfan; Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; El-Haj-Ali, Mouhamad; Nielsen, Silje; Fereczkowski, Michal; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sebastién; Neher, Tobias Proceedings of the 23rd International Congress on Acoustics (ICA 2019), Aachen, Germany, Sept 9-13 2019., pp. 3849-3856, 2019. @inproceedings{ica2019mw, title = {Assessing the interaction between different auditory profiles and benefit from six hearing aid processing strategies: Insights from the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project}, author = {Mengfan Wu and Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Mouhamad El-Haj-Ali and Silje Nielsen and Michal Fereczkowski and Torsten Dau and Sebastién Santurette and Tobias Neher}, url = {http://pub.dega-akustik.de/ICA2019/data/articles/000335.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-09-11}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 23rd International Congress on Acoustics (ICA 2019), Aachen, Germany, Sept 9-13 2019.}, pages = {3849-3856}, abstract = {The current study forms part of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project, which aims at developing and evaluating new clinical tools for individual hearing loss characterization and hearing aid benefit assessment. The purpose of the current study was to assess the interaction between four different auditory profiles and two outcome measures of aided performance obtained for six selected hearing-aid processing strategies (Sanchez-Lopez et al., Euronoise 2018). Sixty older habitual hearing-aid users who participated in the study were previously classified into four auditory profiles based on a data-driven approach (Sanchez-Lopez et al., Trends in Hearing 2018). All stimuli were generated with the help of a hearing aid simulator and presented via headphones. Speech recognition in noise was assessed at fixed signal-to-noise ratios based on individual 50%-correct speech reception thresholds measured in a realistic noise environment. Subjective ratings of overall quality and noise annoyance were measured using a multiple stimulus comparison paradigm. It is hypothesized that the four auditory profiles will have different needs in terms of compensation so perceptual outcomes for the six hearing aid processing strategies are expected to be different.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } The current study forms part of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project, which aims at developing and evaluating new clinical tools for individual hearing loss characterization and hearing aid benefit assessment. The purpose of the current study was to assess the interaction between four different auditory profiles and two outcome measures of aided performance obtained for six selected hearing-aid processing strategies (Sanchez-Lopez et al., Euronoise 2018). Sixty older habitual hearing-aid users who participated in the study were previously classified into four auditory profiles based on a data-driven approach (Sanchez-Lopez et al., Trends in Hearing 2018). All stimuli were generated with the help of a hearing aid simulator and presented via headphones. Speech recognition in noise was assessed at fixed signal-to-noise ratios based on individual 50%-correct speech reception thresholds measured in a realistic noise environment. Subjective ratings of overall quality and noise annoyance were measured using a multiple stimulus comparison paradigm. It is hypothesized that the four auditory profiles will have different needs in terms of compensation so perceptual outcomes for the six hearing aid processing strategies are expected to be different. |
2018 |
Lopez, Raul Sanchez; Bianchi, Federica; Fereczkowski, Michal; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten Data-Driven Approach for Auditory Profiling and Characterization of Individual Hearing Loss Journal Article Trends of Hearing, 22 (ISAAR special issue), pp. 1-12, 2018. @article{TiH2018a, title = {Data-Driven Approach for Auditory Profiling and Characterization of Individual Hearing Loss}, author = {Raul Sanchez Lopez and Federica Bianchi and Michal Fereczkowski and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau}, url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2331216518807400}, doi = {10.1177/2331216518807400}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-11-01}, journal = {Trends of Hearing}, volume = {22}, number = {ISAAR special issue}, pages = {1-12}, abstract = {Pure-tone audiometry still represents the main measure to characterize individual hearing loss and the basis for hearing-aid fitting. However, the perceptual consequences of hearing loss are typically associated not only with a loss of sensitivity but also with a loss of clarity that is not captured by the audiogram. A detailed characterization of a hearing loss may be complex and needs to be simplified to efficiently explore the specific compensation needs of the individual listener. Here, it is hypothesized that any listener’s hearing profile can be characterized along two dimensions of distortion: Type I and Type II. While Type I can be linked to factors affecting audibility, Type II reflects non-audibility-related distortions. To test this hypothesis, the individual performance data from two previous studies were reanalyzed using an unsupervised-learning technique to identify extreme patterns in the data, thus forming the basis for different auditory profiles. Next, a decision tree was determined to classify the listeners into one of the profiles. The analysis provides evidence for the existence of four profiles in the data. The most significant predictors for profile identification were related to binaural processing, auditory nonlinearity, and speech-in-noise perception. This approach could be valuable for analyzing other data sets to select the most relevant tests for auditory profiling and propose more efficient hearing-deficit compensation strategies.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Pure-tone audiometry still represents the main measure to characterize individual hearing loss and the basis for hearing-aid fitting. However, the perceptual consequences of hearing loss are typically associated not only with a loss of sensitivity but also with a loss of clarity that is not captured by the audiogram. A detailed characterization of a hearing loss may be complex and needs to be simplified to efficiently explore the specific compensation needs of the individual listener. Here, it is hypothesized that any listener’s hearing profile can be characterized along two dimensions of distortion: Type I and Type II. While Type I can be linked to factors affecting audibility, Type II reflects non-audibility-related distortions. To test this hypothesis, the individual performance data from two previous studies were reanalyzed using an unsupervised-learning technique to identify extreme patterns in the data, thus forming the basis for different auditory profiles. Next, a decision tree was determined to classify the listeners into one of the profiles. The analysis provides evidence for the existence of four profiles in the data. The most significant predictors for profile identification were related to binaural processing, auditory nonlinearity, and speech-in-noise perception. This approach could be valuable for analyzing other data sets to select the most relevant tests for auditory profiling and propose more efficient hearing-deficit compensation strategies. |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Bianchi, Federica; Fereczkowski, Michal; Piechowiak, Tobias; Hau, Ole; Pedersen, Michael Syskind; Behrens, Thomas; Neher, Tobias; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sébastien Technical evaluation of hearing-aid fitting parameters for different auditory profiles Conference In Proceedings of Euronoise 2018, Crete, Greece, 27-31 May 2018, pp. 381-388, 2018, ISSN: 2226-5147. @conference{euronoise2018, title = {Technical evaluation of hearing-aid fitting parameters for different auditory profiles}, author = {Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Federica Bianchi and Michal Fereczkowski and Tobias Piechowiak and Ole Hau and Michael Syskind Pedersen and Thomas Behrens and Tobias Neher and Torsten Dau and Sébastien Santurette}, url = {http://www.euronoise2018.eu/component/contentbuilder/details/10/83/euronoise-2018-technical-evaluation-of-hearing-aid-fitting-parameters-for-different-auditory-profiles?Itemid=259}, issn = { 2226-5147}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-05-30}, booktitle = {In Proceedings of Euronoise 2018, Crete, Greece, 27-31 May 2018, pp. 381-388}, abstract = {Hearing-aid users have reported an increased satisfaction since digital technology and advanced signal processing became available in hearing aids. However, many users still experience difficulties in noisy environments and in complex listening scenarios. Although numerous parameters can be adjusted to provide an individualized hearing solution, hearing-aid fitting currently consists of: 1) the gain prescription and adjustment based on the pure-tone audiogram, 2) the activation of advanced features on-demand, such as beamforming and noise reduction. In a previous study [1], a novel approach for auditory profiling was suggested, where the hearing deficits were characterized according to two types of distortion. This allowed the classification of listeners into four auditory profiles according to a high/low degree of hearing distortions along the two dimensions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate different hearing-aid compensation strategies that may fit the needs of different auditory profiles via technical measures. A hearing-aid simulator, consisting of beamforming, noise reduction, and dynamic range compression, was used to test which parameter spaces and outcome measures may be of interest for a “profile-based hearing-aid fitting”. The simulator consists of two dummy behind-the-ear hearing aids and off-line sound processing performed on a personal computer. Technical measures, such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement, envelope degradation, and a metric of spectral distortions, were used to evaluate the effects of different signal processing strategies on the signal at the output of the simulator. Several parameter settings were evaluated using speech in the presence of various interferers at different SNRs. Here, the results of this technical evaluation are presented and discussed, with a view towards identifying the effective compensation strategies for different auditory profiles.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Hearing-aid users have reported an increased satisfaction since digital technology and advanced signal processing became available in hearing aids. However, many users still experience difficulties in noisy environments and in complex listening scenarios. Although numerous parameters can be adjusted to provide an individualized hearing solution, hearing-aid fitting currently consists of: 1) the gain prescription and adjustment based on the pure-tone audiogram, 2) the activation of advanced features on-demand, such as beamforming and noise reduction. In a previous study [1], a novel approach for auditory profiling was suggested, where the hearing deficits were characterized according to two types of distortion. This allowed the classification of listeners into four auditory profiles according to a high/low degree of hearing distortions along the two dimensions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate different hearing-aid compensation strategies that may fit the needs of different auditory profiles via technical measures. A hearing-aid simulator, consisting of beamforming, noise reduction, and dynamic range compression, was used to test which parameter spaces and outcome measures may be of interest for a “profile-based hearing-aid fitting”. The simulator consists of two dummy behind-the-ear hearing aids and off-line sound processing performed on a personal computer. Technical measures, such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement, envelope degradation, and a metric of spectral distortions, were used to evaluate the effects of different signal processing strategies on the signal at the output of the simulator. Several parameter settings were evaluated using speech in the presence of various interferers at different SNRs. Here, the results of this technical evaluation are presented and discussed, with a view towards identifying the effective compensation strategies for different auditory profiles. |
2017 |
van Hauen, Sigurd Møller; Rukjær, Andreas Harbo; Ordoñez, Rodrigo; Hammershøi, Dorte Estimating auditory filter bandwidth using distortion product otoacoustic emissions Inproceedings Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jakob; Tranebjærg, Lisbeth; Poulsen, Torben (Ed.): Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 6: Adaptive Processes in Hearing, pp. 263-270, The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2017, ISBN: 978-87-990013-6-1. @inproceedings{SigurdISAAR2017, title = {Estimating auditory filter bandwidth using distortion product otoacoustic emissions}, author = {Sigurd Møller van Hauen and Andreas Harbo Rukjær and Rodrigo Ordoñez and Dorte Hammershøi}, editor = {Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau and Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard and Lisbeth Tranebjærg and Torben Poulsen}, url = {https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2017-32}, isbn = {978-87-990013-6-1}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-08-23}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 6: Adaptive Processes in Hearing}, pages = {263-270}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {The basic frequency selectivity in the listener’s hearing is often characterized by auditory filters. These filters are determined through listening tests, which estimate the masking threshold as a function of frequency of the tone and the bandwidth of the masking sound. The auditory filters have been shown to be wider for listeners with sensorineural impairment. In a recent study (Christensen et al., 2017) it was demonstrated on group basis that the distortion product stimulus ratio that provided the strongest 2 f1− f2 component at low frequencies had a strong correlation to the theoretical relation between frequency and auditory filter bandwidth, described by the equivalent rectangular bandwidth (ERB, Glasberg and Moore, 1990). The purpose of the present study is to test whether a similar correlation exists on an individual basis at normal audiometric frequencies. The optimal 2 f1 − f2 DPOAE ratio is determined for stimulus ratios between 1.1 and 1.6, at fixed primary levels (L1/L2 = 65/45 dB SPL). The auditory filters are determined using notched-noise method in a two alternative forced choice experiment with noise levels at 40 dB SPL/Hz. Optimal ratios and auditory filters are determined at 1, 2, and 4 kHz for 10 young normal-hearing subjects.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } The basic frequency selectivity in the listener’s hearing is often characterized by auditory filters. These filters are determined through listening tests, which estimate the masking threshold as a function of frequency of the tone and the bandwidth of the masking sound. The auditory filters have been shown to be wider for listeners with sensorineural impairment. In a recent study (Christensen et al., 2017) it was demonstrated on group basis that the distortion product stimulus ratio that provided the strongest 2 f1− f2 component at low frequencies had a strong correlation to the theoretical relation between frequency and auditory filter bandwidth, described by the equivalent rectangular bandwidth (ERB, Glasberg and Moore, 1990). The purpose of the present study is to test whether a similar correlation exists on an individual basis at normal audiometric frequencies. The optimal 2 f1 − f2 DPOAE ratio is determined for stimulus ratios between 1.1 and 1.6, at fixed primary levels (L1/L2 = 65/45 dB SPL). The auditory filters are determined using notched-noise method in a two alternative forced choice experiment with noise levels at 40 dB SPL/Hz. Optimal ratios and auditory filters are determined at 1, 2, and 4 kHz for 10 young normal-hearing subjects. |
Lopez, Raul Sanchez; Bianchi, Federica; Fereczkowski, Michal; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten Data-driven approach for auditory profiling Inproceedings Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jakob; Tranebjærg, Lisbeth; Poulsen, Torben (Ed.): Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 6: Adaptive Processes in Hearing, pp. 247-254, The Danavox Jubilee Foundation, 2017, ISBN: 978-87-990013-6-1. @inproceedings{820875598dff4bf4b7060bb84277a3b8, title = {Data-driven approach for auditory profiling}, author = {Raul Sanchez Lopez and Federica Bianchi and Michal Fereczkowski and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau}, editor = {Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau and Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard and Lisbeth Tranebjærg and Torben Poulsen}, url = {http://orbit.dtu.dk/files/140683531/ISAAR17_rsalo.pdf}, isbn = {978-87-990013-6-1}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-01-01}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 6: Adaptive Processes in Hearing}, pages = {247-254}, publisher = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {Nowadays, the pure-tone audiogram is the main tool used to characterizehearing loss and to fit hearing aids. However, the perceptual consequencesof hearing loss are typically not only associated with a loss of sensitivity, butalso with a clarity loss that is not captured by the audiogram. A detailedcharacterization of hearing loss has to be simplified to efficiently explore thespecific compensation needs of the individual listener. We hypothesized thatany listener’s hearing can be characterized along two dimensions of distortion:type I and type II. While type I can be linked to factors affecting audibility,type II reflects non-audibility-related distortions. To test our hypothesis,the individual performance data from two previous studies were re-analyzedusing an archetypal analysis. Unsupervised learning was used to identifyextreme patterns in the data which form the basis for different auditoryprofiles. Next, a decision tree was determined to classify the listeners intoone of the profiles. The new analysis provides evidence for the existenceof four profiles in the data. The most significant predictors for profileidentification were related to binaural processing, auditory non-linearity andspeech-in-noise perception. The current approach is promising for analyzingother existing data sets in order to select the most relevant tests for auditoryprofiling.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Nowadays, the pure-tone audiogram is the main tool used to characterizehearing loss and to fit hearing aids. However, the perceptual consequencesof hearing loss are typically not only associated with a loss of sensitivity, butalso with a clarity loss that is not captured by the audiogram. A detailedcharacterization of hearing loss has to be simplified to efficiently explore thespecific compensation needs of the individual listener. We hypothesized thatany listener’s hearing can be characterized along two dimensions of distortion:type I and type II. While type I can be linked to factors affecting audibility,type II reflects non-audibility-related distortions. To test our hypothesis,the individual performance data from two previous studies were re-analyzedusing an archetypal analysis. Unsupervised learning was used to identifyextreme patterns in the data which form the basis for different auditoryprofiles. Next, a decision tree was determined to classify the listeners intoone of the profiles. The new analysis provides evidence for the existenceof four profiles in the data. The most significant predictors for profileidentification were related to binaural processing, auditory non-linearity andspeech-in-noise perception. The current approach is promising for analyzingother existing data sets in order to select the most relevant tests for auditoryprofiling. |
2016 |
Hammershøi, Dorte; Ordoñez, Rodrigo; Christensen, Anders Tornvig More robust estimates for DPOAE level at audiometric frequencies Inproceedings Proceedings of the 22nd International Congress on Acoustics, Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 5-9 2016, pp. 1-9, ICA, 2016. @inproceedings{Hammershøi2016, title = {More robust estimates for DPOAE level at audiometric frequencies}, author = {Dorte Hammershøi and Rodrigo Ordoñez and Anders Tornvig Christensen}, url = {http://www.ica2016.org.ar/ica2016proceedings/ica2016/ICA2016-0885.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-09-05}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 22nd International Congress on Acoustics, Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 5-9 2016}, number = {885}, pages = {1-9}, publisher = {ICA}, abstract = {Current clinical methods determine 2 f1 − f2 distortion product oto-acoustic emission (DPAOE) levels at discrete frequencies, and often only at the audiometric standard frequencies in order to save time. The measured result is known to be a superposition of at least two components, the generator component originating from a region around the primary f2, and the reflection component from the 2 f1 − f2 site. Distinct interference patterns in high resolution DPOAE data reveal that these two components can be of similar magnitude, and periodically cancel each other entirely. When measurements are made at only few frequencies, there is a risk to find one or more low amplitude measurement, even in a healthy ear with otherwise high emissions. In the present study, data from previous studies measured with a high frequency resolution is used for simulating a better use of measurements at and around the audiometric frequency. A ”local” model of the two component superposition is applied, and the trade-off between measurement time, and robustness of the measure is discussed.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Current clinical methods determine 2 f1 − f2 distortion product oto-acoustic emission (DPAOE) levels at discrete frequencies, and often only at the audiometric standard frequencies in order to save time. The measured result is known to be a superposition of at least two components, the generator component originating from a region around the primary f2, and the reflection component from the 2 f1 − f2 site. Distinct interference patterns in high resolution DPOAE data reveal that these two components can be of similar magnitude, and periodically cancel each other entirely. When measurements are made at only few frequencies, there is a risk to find one or more low amplitude measurement, even in a healthy ear with otherwise high emissions. In the present study, data from previous studies measured with a high frequency resolution is used for simulating a better use of measurements at and around the audiometric frequency. A ”local” model of the two component superposition is applied, and the trade-off between measurement time, and robustness of the measure is discussed. |
Sanchez, Raul H; Dau, Torsten Modeling spectro - temporal modulation perception in normal - hearing listeners Inproceedings Proceedings of Inter-Noise 2016, Hamburg, Germany, August 21-24, 2018, pp. 1729-1740, 2016. @inproceedings{7eefad4dd8644766af1393e54a034dc1, title = {Modeling spectro - temporal modulation perception in normal - hearing listeners}, author = {Raul H. Sanchez and Torsten Dau}, url = {http://pub.dega-akustik.de/IN2016/data/articles/000953.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-08-24}, booktitle = {Proceedings of Inter-Noise 2016, Hamburg, Germany, August 21-24, 2018}, pages = {1729-1740}, abstract = {Current clinical methods determine 2 f1 − f2 distortion product oto-acoustic emission (DPAOE) levels at discrete frequencies, and often only at the audiometric standard frequencies in order to save time. The measured result is known to be a superposition of at least two components, the generator component originating from a region around the primary f2, and the reflection component from the 2 f1 − f2 site. Distinct interference patterns in high resolution DPOAE data reveal that these two components can be of similar magnitude, and periodically cancel each other entirely. When measurements are made at only few frequencies, there is a risk to find one or more low amplitude measurement, even in a healthy ear with otherwise high emissions. In the present study, data from previous studies measured with a high frequency resolution is used for simulating a better use of measurements at and around the audiometric frequency. A ”local” model of the two component superposition is applied, and the trade-off between measurement time, and robustness of the measure is discussed.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Current clinical methods determine 2 f1 − f2 distortion product oto-acoustic emission (DPAOE) levels at discrete frequencies, and often only at the audiometric standard frequencies in order to save time. The measured result is known to be a superposition of at least two components, the generator component originating from a region around the primary f2, and the reflection component from the 2 f1 − f2 site. Distinct interference patterns in high resolution DPOAE data reveal that these two components can be of similar magnitude, and periodically cancel each other entirely. When measurements are made at only few frequencies, there is a risk to find one or more low amplitude measurement, even in a healthy ear with otherwise high emissions. In the present study, data from previous studies measured with a high frequency resolution is used for simulating a better use of measurements at and around the audiometric frequency. A ”local” model of the two component superposition is applied, and the trade-off between measurement time, and robustness of the measure is discussed. |
Other
2021 |
Hammershøi, Dorte Better hearing rehabilitation for adult first-time users (the BEAR project) Inproceedings Baltic Nordic Acoustics Meeting, 3-5 May 2021, Oslo, Norway (online), pp. 1–7, NAA (Nordic Acoustic Association) 2021. @inproceedings{DH_BNAM2021_invited, title = {Better hearing rehabilitation for adult first-time users (the BEAR project)}, author = {Dorte Hammershøi}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-05-03}, booktitle = {Baltic Nordic Acoustics Meeting, 3-5 May 2021, Oslo, Norway (online)}, pages = {1--7}, organization = {NAA (Nordic Acoustic Association)}, abstract = {First-time adult hearing-aids users do not always experience the debut with success, and it is known that some give up. For the professional fitting the hearing aid, it is often a difficult to figure out, if the hearing aid is poorly fitted to the individual, and whether it is set for best performance or not. The purpose of the BEAR project is to develop a stronger framework for the diagnostics, fitting and assessment of the aided performance that will allow for a more structured, and personalized approach. The project includes several scientific efforts, incl. 1) the collection of data for almost 2.000 patients fitted according to current practice, 2) the development and assessment of new diagnostics for profiling and fitting strategies, as well as 3) development and assessment of methods for measurement of the aided performance. The on-going work includes a proposal for a differentiated fitting based on extended auditory profiles, and is accompanied by both in- and out-of-clinic options for testing and/or reporting on the aided performance experience. Future results will include an experimental validation of the proposed differentiated fitting, as well as separate efforts to investigating common denominators for patients with poor compensation benefits, and options for out-of-clinic application of the proposed methods.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } First-time adult hearing-aids users do not always experience the debut with success, and it is known that some give up. For the professional fitting the hearing aid, it is often a difficult to figure out, if the hearing aid is poorly fitted to the individual, and whether it is set for best performance or not. The purpose of the BEAR project is to develop a stronger framework for the diagnostics, fitting and assessment of the aided performance that will allow for a more structured, and personalized approach. The project includes several scientific efforts, incl. 1) the collection of data for almost 2.000 patients fitted according to current practice, 2) the development and assessment of new diagnostics for profiling and fitting strategies, as well as 3) development and assessment of methods for measurement of the aided performance. The on-going work includes a proposal for a differentiated fitting based on extended auditory profiles, and is accompanied by both in- and out-of-clinic options for testing and/or reporting on the aided performance experience. Future results will include an experimental validation of the proposed differentiated fitting, as well as separate efforts to investigating common denominators for patients with poor compensation benefits, and options for out-of-clinic application of the proposed methods. |
Rye, Palle; Narayanan, Sreeram Kaithali; Hammershøi, Dorte Effects of Intermittent Noise on Real Ear Measurements in Hearing Aid Fitting Inproceedings Baltic Nordic Acoustics Meeting, 3-5 May 2021, Oslo, Norway (online), pp. 1–6, NAA (Nordic Acoustical Association), 2021. @inproceedings{PR_BNAM2021, title = {Effects of Intermittent Noise on Real Ear Measurements in Hearing Aid Fitting}, author = {Palle Rye and Sreeram Kaithali Narayanan and Dorte Hammershøi}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-05-03}, booktitle = {Baltic Nordic Acoustics Meeting, 3-5 May 2021, Oslo, Norway (online)}, pages = {1--6}, publisher = {NAA (Nordic Acoustical Association)}, abstract = {When fitting a hearing aid, real ear measurements (REM) can prove a valuable tool for adjusting the gain of the hearing aid. In REM a probe microphone is inserted into the ear canal carefully placing the probe microphone tip a few millimeters from the tympanic membrane. Typically a reference microphone is present outside the ear canal near the pinna. Proper calibration before the REM measurement ensures a flat response of the probe microphone when placing the tip at the same positions as the reference microphone. The real ear unaided gain (REUG) is measured as the level difference between the reference microphone and the probe microphone placed near the tympanic membrane. Inserting the hearing aid the real ear aided gain (REAG) can be measured similarly and the real ear insertion gain (REIG) is calculated as the difference between the REAG and the REUG. Fitting a hearing aid typically involves matching the hearing aid gain to match a REIG prescription target derived by the patients audiogram and occasionally other diagnostic data. To ensure matching the REIG to the prescription target care must be taken to ensure accuracy in the REM measurements. Inspecting a database of thousands of clinically recorded REM a handful of anomalies were detected and the present study seek to reproduce the observed effects under controlled laboratory conditions. The study involves measuring REM using manikins as well as human subjects. A semi-automated test setup was developed to synchronise the measurement equipment and the noise disturbance in order to investigate the effects of different types of intermittent noise on REM. Preliminary results indicate that intermittent noise burst even shorter than 1s in duration can cause detrimental effects on the real ear measurement.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } When fitting a hearing aid, real ear measurements (REM) can prove a valuable tool for adjusting the gain of the hearing aid. In REM a probe microphone is inserted into the ear canal carefully placing the probe microphone tip a few millimeters from the tympanic membrane. Typically a reference microphone is present outside the ear canal near the pinna. Proper calibration before the REM measurement ensures a flat response of the probe microphone when placing the tip at the same positions as the reference microphone. The real ear unaided gain (REUG) is measured as the level difference between the reference microphone and the probe microphone placed near the tympanic membrane. Inserting the hearing aid the real ear aided gain (REAG) can be measured similarly and the real ear insertion gain (REIG) is calculated as the difference between the REAG and the REUG. Fitting a hearing aid typically involves matching the hearing aid gain to match a REIG prescription target derived by the patients audiogram and occasionally other diagnostic data. To ensure matching the REIG to the prescription target care must be taken to ensure accuracy in the REM measurements. Inspecting a database of thousands of clinically recorded REM a handful of anomalies were detected and the present study seek to reproduce the observed effects under controlled laboratory conditions. The study involves measuring REM using manikins as well as human subjects. A semi-automated test setup was developed to synchronise the measurement equipment and the noise disturbance in order to investigate the effects of different types of intermittent noise on REM. Preliminary results indicate that intermittent noise burst even shorter than 1s in duration can cause detrimental effects on the real ear measurement. |
Fereczkowski, Michal; Neher, Tobias Can word recognition scores predict aided outcome and guide hearing-aid fitting Conference 48th Erlanger Kolloquium for Audiological Research and Development, Erlangen, Germany, 2021. @conference{MF_TN_2021, title = {Can word recognition scores predict aided outcome and guide hearing-aid fitting}, author = {Michal Fereczkowski and Tobias Neher}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-02-12}, booktitle = {48th Erlanger Kolloquium for Audiological Research and Development, Erlangen, Germany}, abstract = {Background Hearing-impaired listeners differ widely in the benefit they obtain from hearing aids (HA). For effective rehabilitation, a priori identification of low-benefit listeners is important but remains challenging. In the clinic, monosyllabic word recognition scores (WRS) in quiet at a comfortable presentation level are routinely measured. However, while WRS are used for counselling, they are currently not used for HA treatment. Here, we investigate relations between ‘clinical’ WRS, ‘aided’ WRS (with individual, frequency-specific amplification) and two common HA outcome measures. Methods Thirty-seven experienced HA users aged 60-87 years participated. Clinical and aided WRS were measured 10 dB above the corresponding individual most comfortable levels. Aided WRS were also measured at two higher levels to determine maximum aided WRS and to investigate the presence of so-called rollover effects. Furthermore, aided Hearing-In-Noise Test (HINT) measurements were performed, and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaire was administered. Results Maximum aided WRS and rollover presence were significant predictors of HINT performance. Maximum aided WRS also predicted IOI-HA ratings related to residual activity limitations. Clinical WRS failed to predict either outcome. Conclusions Aided WRS are useful for predicting HA outcome and may therefore guide HA treatment. Implications for the individualization of HA fittings will be discussed.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Background Hearing-impaired listeners differ widely in the benefit they obtain from hearing aids (HA). For effective rehabilitation, a priori identification of low-benefit listeners is important but remains challenging. In the clinic, monosyllabic word recognition scores (WRS) in quiet at a comfortable presentation level are routinely measured. However, while WRS are used for counselling, they are currently not used for HA treatment. Here, we investigate relations between ‘clinical’ WRS, ‘aided’ WRS (with individual, frequency-specific amplification) and two common HA outcome measures. Methods Thirty-seven experienced HA users aged 60-87 years participated. Clinical and aided WRS were measured 10 dB above the corresponding individual most comfortable levels. Aided WRS were also measured at two higher levels to determine maximum aided WRS and to investigate the presence of so-called rollover effects. Furthermore, aided Hearing-In-Noise Test (HINT) measurements were performed, and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaire was administered. Results Maximum aided WRS and rollover presence were significant predictors of HINT performance. Maximum aided WRS also predicted IOI-HA ratings related to residual activity limitations. Clinical WRS failed to predict either outcome. Conclusions Aided WRS are useful for predicting HA outcome and may therefore guide HA treatment. Implications for the individualization of HA fittings will be discussed. |
2020 |
Nielsen, Jens Bo; Lund, Katja Assessing the aided performance of hearing aid users – in the clinic and in real‐life Conference Webinar, 1 December 2020, Danish Acoustical Society, 2020. @conference{JBN_KL_DAS2020, title = {Assessing the aided performance of hearing aid users – in the clinic and in real‐life}, author = {Jens Bo Nielsen and Katja Lund}, url = {https://d-a‐s.dk/events/bedre‐hoererehabilitering‐i‐danmark/}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-12-01}, booktitle = {Webinar, 1 December 2020}, publisher = {Danish Acoustical Society}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Rye, Palle Towards out of clinic hearing tests Conference Webinar, 1 December 2020, Danish Acoustical Society, 2020. @conference{PR_DAS2020, title = {Towards out of clinic hearing tests}, author = {Palle Rye}, url = {https://d-a‐s.dk/events/bedre‐hoererehabilitering‐i‐danmark/}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-12-01}, booktitle = {Webinar, 1 December 2020}, publisher = {Danish Acoustical Society}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Narayanan, Sreeram Kaithali; Ravn, Gert Real ear measurements and standardization Conference Webinar, 1 December 2020, Danish Acoustical Society, 2020. @conference{SKN_GR_DAS2020, title = {Real ear measurements and standardization}, author = {Sreeram Kaithali Narayanan and Gert Ravn}, url = {https://d-a‐s.dk/events/bedre‐hoererehabilitering‐i‐danmark/}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-12-01}, booktitle = {Webinar, 1 December 2020}, publisher = {Danish Acoustical Society}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Hammershøi, Dorte Mobile tools from the BEAR project Conference Workshop on "e-trends in Audiology: University teaching, mobile tools and multilinguality", hosted by Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany, EFAS (European Fedration of Audiology Societies) 2020. @conference{EFAS2020Mobile, title = {Mobile tools from the BEAR project}, author = {Dorte Hammershøi }, url = {https://efas2020.hoertech.de/index.php?show=2}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-09-25}, booktitle = {Workshop on "e-trends in Audiology: University teaching, mobile tools and multilinguality", hosted by Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany}, organization = {EFAS (European Fedration of Audiology Societies)}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
2019 |
Nielsen, Jens Bo The BEAR-project: “How to assess the performance of hearing-aid users” Conference Invited presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 27-28 Sept 2019. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark, 2019. @conference{dtas2019jbn, title = {The BEAR-project: “How to assess the performance of hearing-aid users”}, author = {Jens Bo Nielsen}, url = {http://www.dtas.dk/DTAS_Program_2019.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-09-28}, booktitle = {Invited presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 27-28 Sept 2019. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Schmidt, Jesper Hvass The BEAR project: “Patient reported benefits of hearing aid treatment in a large Danish cohort” Conference Invited presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 27-28 Sept 2019. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark, 2019. @conference{dtas2019jhs, title = {The BEAR project: “Patient reported benefits of hearing aid treatment in a large Danish cohort”}, author = {Jesper Hvass Schmidt}, url = {http://www.dtas.dk/DTAS_Program_2019.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-09-28}, booktitle = {Invited presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 27-28 Sept 2019. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Hammershøi, Dorte; Wolff, Anne; Andersen, Lykke Junker; Mortensen, Rikke Louise; Nielsen, Mads Dalsgaard; Larsen, Stefanie Aagard Skov Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (SP.17), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{ISAAR2019PDP780, title = {A word elicitation study including the development of scales characterizing aided listening experience}, author = {Dorte Hammershøi and Anne Wolff and Lykke Junker Andersen and Rikke Louise Mortensen and Mads Dalsgaard Nielsen and Stefanie Aagard Skov Larsen}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/700915/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {SP.17}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {The purpose of the present study was to identify the terms hearing aid professionals and their patients use in the communication about the aided listening experience and develop scales that would help characterize this experience in the domain of corrective actions that a hearing care professional may apply. The study comprised a word elicitation study based on observations and interviews from 18 examinations, involving 7 audiologists, 2 medical audiologists, and 15 adult patients from the audiological department at Aalborg University Hospital. The words patients and professionals used for describing the aided listening experience were itemized, noted on cards, and analyzed by developing an affinity diagram. The resulting 80 words were then sorted by three hearing professionals in a supervised card sorting session, leaving 65 attributes (grouped in 13 main categories) that was considered suitable for suggesting corrective actions. These 65 attributes were included in a 63-point scale design, which (in a usability test including 8 hearing aid users) were considered easy to survey and use, but also including some redundancy and ambiguities. The results suggest that it is possible to develop scales based on the voluntary statements expressed during actual consultations, but that the expressions may not be interpreted the same way by other patients and professionals.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } The purpose of the present study was to identify the terms hearing aid professionals and their patients use in the communication about the aided listening experience and develop scales that would help characterize this experience in the domain of corrective actions that a hearing care professional may apply. The study comprised a word elicitation study based on observations and interviews from 18 examinations, involving 7 audiologists, 2 medical audiologists, and 15 adult patients from the audiological department at Aalborg University Hospital. The words patients and professionals used for describing the aided listening experience were itemized, noted on cards, and analyzed by developing an affinity diagram. The resulting 80 words were then sorted by three hearing professionals in a supervised card sorting session, leaving 65 attributes (grouped in 13 main categories) that was considered suitable for suggesting corrective actions. These 65 attributes were included in a 63-point scale design, which (in a usability test including 8 hearing aid users) were considered easy to survey and use, but also including some redundancy and ambiguities. The results suggest that it is possible to develop scales based on the voluntary statements expressed during actual consultations, but that the expressions may not be interpreted the same way by other patients and professionals. |
Piechowiak, Tobias; Zapala, David Using the BEAR data to obtain shortened version of the SSQ-12 and IOI-HA Conference Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (SP.59), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{ISAAR2019TP, title = {Using the BEAR data to obtain shortened version of the SSQ-12 and IOI-HA}, author = {Tobias Piechowiak and David Zapala}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/700948/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {SP.59}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {The Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale (SSQ-12) and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA-7) are questionnaires containing 12 and 7 items, respectively. They are designed to subjectively assess hearing ability and are complementary to behavioral measures. Both questionnaires have been applied across a range of clinical and clinical research-related contexts, for example for assessing outcomes of e.g. cochlear implants and hearing aids. However, due to time constraints neither of the questionnaires seem to be an inherent part of standard clinical quality control. The Better Hearing Rehabilitation (BEAR) database contains SSQ-12 and IOI-HA-7 scores of around 2000 subjects. Applying an explanatory factor analysis (EFA) allowed us to reduce the SSQ-12 to 5 questions and the IOI-HA to 3 remaining questions. The SSQ-5 explains 77% of the variance in the SSQ-12 data while the IOI-HA-3 accounts for 69% of the variance in the original IOI-HA-7 dataset. We judge that these new versions can be used more efficiently by shortening time and focusing on the items that are most effective to reflect individual benefit. Furthermore, the analysis seems to confirm the validity of such a reduction from similar findings in the literature that were done on different datasets.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } The Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale (SSQ-12) and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA-7) are questionnaires containing 12 and 7 items, respectively. They are designed to subjectively assess hearing ability and are complementary to behavioral measures. Both questionnaires have been applied across a range of clinical and clinical research-related contexts, for example for assessing outcomes of e.g. cochlear implants and hearing aids. However, due to time constraints neither of the questionnaires seem to be an inherent part of standard clinical quality control. The Better Hearing Rehabilitation (BEAR) database contains SSQ-12 and IOI-HA-7 scores of around 2000 subjects. Applying an explanatory factor analysis (EFA) allowed us to reduce the SSQ-12 to 5 questions and the IOI-HA to 3 remaining questions. The SSQ-5 explains 77% of the variance in the SSQ-12 data while the IOI-HA-3 accounts for 69% of the variance in the original IOI-HA-7 dataset. We judge that these new versions can be used more efficiently by shortening time and focusing on the items that are most effective to reflect individual benefit. Furthermore, the analysis seems to confirm the validity of such a reduction from similar findings in the literature that were done on different datasets. |
Christensen, Mads; Ibsen, Alexander; Hansen, Jens-Ulrik; Piechowiak, Tobias Hearing aids in the drawer: Usage time as a function of auditory and non-auditory factors Conference Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (SP.58), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{ISAAR2019TP2, title = {Hearing aids in the drawer: Usage time as a function of auditory and non-auditory factors}, author = {Mads Christensen and Alexander Ibsen and Jens-Ulrik Hansen and Tobias Piechowiak}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/701064/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {SP.58}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {The BEAR project is a Danish national audiological project scheduled to run for 5 years from 2016. The overall aim of the project is to improve hearing rehabilitation in Denmark through a revision of current clinical practice. Based on results obtained in the BEAR project, a revised clinical protocol will be suggested, if possible. Potential benefits resulting from the project may have important impact both nationally and internationally. In Denmark, approximately 500,000 – 800,000 people have a treatable hearing loss and around 300,000 people own a hearing aid. However, a large portion (20%) of owners do not use their HAs regularly and the underlying reasons for this are not well understood, but one must conclude that these owners do not sufficiently benefit from their devices. This results in wasted clinical resources and a lack of rehabilitation for people with hearing-impairment. Literature suggest possible causes as to why a significant number of patients do not use their HA regularly: insufficient awareness of hearing difficulties, alternate coping strategies, personality, low trust in the benefit from hearing aids, cognitive and functional restrictions and social stigma. In this study, these literature claims were investigated with the help of the BEAR database.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } The BEAR project is a Danish national audiological project scheduled to run for 5 years from 2016. The overall aim of the project is to improve hearing rehabilitation in Denmark through a revision of current clinical practice. Based on results obtained in the BEAR project, a revised clinical protocol will be suggested, if possible. Potential benefits resulting from the project may have important impact both nationally and internationally. In Denmark, approximately 500,000 – 800,000 people have a treatable hearing loss and around 300,000 people own a hearing aid. However, a large portion (20%) of owners do not use their HAs regularly and the underlying reasons for this are not well understood, but one must conclude that these owners do not sufficiently benefit from their devices. This results in wasted clinical resources and a lack of rehabilitation for people with hearing-impairment. Literature suggest possible causes as to why a significant number of patients do not use their HA regularly: insufficient awareness of hearing difficulties, alternate coping strategies, personality, low trust in the benefit from hearing aids, cognitive and functional restrictions and social stigma. In this study, these literature claims were investigated with the help of the BEAR database. |
Rye, Palle; Ordoñez, Rodrigo; Wolff, Anne; Hougaard, Dan Dupont; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass; Hammershøi, Dorte Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (SP.64), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{ISAAR2019PR, title = {A study of reliability and response patterns in self-administered audiometry for adult first-time hearing-aid users}, author = {Palle Rye and Rodrigo Ordoñez and Anne Wolff and Dan Dupont Hougaard and Jesper Hvass Schmidt and Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/701149/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {SP.64}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {Out-of-clinic diagnostics offer the advantage of pre- and post-clinical screenings and potential benefits of increased user ownership, but at the possible cost of accuracy and reliability. The present study examines the determination of a classical audiometric threshold through a custom-made self-administered tablet test, utilizing off-the-shelf Bluetooth headphones. The test includes an initial familiarization session allowing characterization of the user's response time, and integrates a standard usability assessment (System Usability Scale, SUS) accompanied by the experimenter's observations and exit-interview responses. The study compares self-administered thresholds determined in the waiting room of Aalborg University Hospital for 16 potential hearing-aid users with the thresholds determined by the professionals in the subsequent session. The study also includes a comparison of thresholds determined in potential users' own homes, in which case the test is performed both with a standard transportable audiometer and with the out-of-clinic tablet system. The study is on-going.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Out-of-clinic diagnostics offer the advantage of pre- and post-clinical screenings and potential benefits of increased user ownership, but at the possible cost of accuracy and reliability. The present study examines the determination of a classical audiometric threshold through a custom-made self-administered tablet test, utilizing off-the-shelf Bluetooth headphones. The test includes an initial familiarization session allowing characterization of the user's response time, and integrates a standard usability assessment (System Usability Scale, SUS) accompanied by the experimenter's observations and exit-interview responses. The study compares self-administered thresholds determined in the waiting room of Aalborg University Hospital for 16 potential hearing-aid users with the thresholds determined by the professionals in the subsequent session. The study also includes a comparison of thresholds determined in potential users' own homes, in which case the test is performed both with a standard transportable audiometer and with the out-of-clinic tablet system. The study is on-going. |
Lorentzen, Line Nim; Wolff, Anne; Narne, Vijaya K; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (SP.40), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{isaar2019LNL, title = {The Danish version of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of hearing scale 12, the SSQ12 – A study of validation and correlation}, author = {Line Nim Lorentzen and Anne Wolff and Vijaya K. Narne and Jesper Hvass Schmidt}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/701051/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {SP.40}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {Objective: To test the validity and reliability of the Danish version of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities in Hearing Scale 12 (DK-SSQ12). To this day, a test-retest reliability study of any translation of the SSQ12 has not been conducted. To study the correlation of quality of hearing and Quality of Life (QoL) we wish to investigate the correlation between the DK-SSQ12 and the hearing domain of the Quality of Life questionnaire, 15D, domain 3. Study sample: 1961 participants in the Better hEAring Rehabilitation project was included in population group A. Forty-one subjects without hearing aids and 52 subjects with hearing aids from group A were recruited to population group B. Design: Population group A tested the internal validity of the DK-SSQ12, using Cronbach's alpha (CA). Population group B tested the reliability of the DK-SSQ12 assessing the Inter Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The DK-SSQ12 was distributed twice with a two-week interwall. Spearman's rho was applied to test the correlation of DK-SSQ12 and 15D, 3. Results: The CA, divided into three domains of the DK-SSQ12, ranged from 0.89-0.91 in the Speech domain, 0.81-0.91 in the Spatial domain and 0.75-0.81 in the Qualities domain. Group B showed an ICC of 0.66-0.89 (95% CI 0.44-0.94). All domains of the SSQ12 is significantly correlated to the 15D question 3.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Objective: To test the validity and reliability of the Danish version of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities in Hearing Scale 12 (DK-SSQ12). To this day, a test-retest reliability study of any translation of the SSQ12 has not been conducted. To study the correlation of quality of hearing and Quality of Life (QoL) we wish to investigate the correlation between the DK-SSQ12 and the hearing domain of the Quality of Life questionnaire, 15D, domain 3. Study sample: 1961 participants in the Better hEAring Rehabilitation project was included in population group A. Forty-one subjects without hearing aids and 52 subjects with hearing aids from group A were recruited to population group B. Design: Population group A tested the internal validity of the DK-SSQ12, using Cronbach's alpha (CA). Population group B tested the reliability of the DK-SSQ12 assessing the Inter Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The DK-SSQ12 was distributed twice with a two-week interwall. Spearman's rho was applied to test the correlation of DK-SSQ12 and 15D, 3. Results: The CA, divided into three domains of the DK-SSQ12, ranged from 0.89-0.91 in the Speech domain, 0.81-0.91 in the Spatial domain and 0.75-0.81 in the Qualities domain. Group B showed an ICC of 0.66-0.89 (95% CI 0.44-0.94). All domains of the SSQ12 is significantly correlated to the 15D question 3. |
Narayanan, Sreeram Kaithali; Piechowiak, Tobias; Wolff, Anne; Houmøller, Sabina Storbjerg; Narne, Vijay; Loquet, Gérard; Hougaard, Dan Dupont; Gaihede, Michael L; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass; Hammershøi, Dorte Speech related hearing aid benefit index derived from standardized self-reported questionnaire data Conference Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (SP.50), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{isaar2019skn, title = {Speech related hearing aid benefit index derived from standardized self-reported questionnaire data}, author = {Sreeram Kaithali Narayanan and Tobias Piechowiak and Anne Wolff and Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller and Vijay Narne and Gérard Loquet and Dan Dupont Hougaard and Michael L Gaihede and Jesper Hvass Schmidt and Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/701058/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {SP.50}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {Speech understanding in noisy environments has been the most desired hearing aid (HA) benefit sought by hearing aid users. This paper examines the possibility of developing a speech related HA benefit index from correlated speech related questions from three different self-reported questionnaire's (SSQ12, IOI-HA, and 15D). The 4 questions in SSQ12 (question number 1,4,11 and 12), 3 questions in IOI-HA(question number 3,5 and 6) and 3rd question from health-related quality of life questionnaire 15D relating to speech were found correlated and are chosen for further analysis. After the normalization of the relevant questions, a principal component analysis (PCA) is used to reduce the dimensionality and determine the coefficients. The resultant coefficients are used to create a common speech related HA benefit index.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Speech understanding in noisy environments has been the most desired hearing aid (HA) benefit sought by hearing aid users. This paper examines the possibility of developing a speech related HA benefit index from correlated speech related questions from three different self-reported questionnaire's (SSQ12, IOI-HA, and 15D). The 4 questions in SSQ12 (question number 1,4,11 and 12), 3 questions in IOI-HA(question number 3,5 and 6) and 3rd question from health-related quality of life questionnaire 15D relating to speech were found correlated and are chosen for further analysis. After the normalization of the relevant questions, a principal component analysis (PCA) is used to reduce the dimensionality and determine the coefficients. The resultant coefficients are used to create a common speech related HA benefit index. |
Wu, Mengfan; Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; El-Haj-Ali, Mouhamad; Nielsen, Silje Grini; Fereczkowski, Michal; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sebastién; Neher, Tobias Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (SP.77), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{isaar2019mw, title = {Evaluation of six hearing-aid processing strategies from the perspective of auditory profiling: Insights from the BEAR project}, author = {Mengfan Wu and Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Mouhamad El-Haj-Ali and Silje Grini Nielsen and Michal Fereczkowski and Torsten Dau and Sebastién Santurette and Tobias Neher}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/700958/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {SP.77}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {The current study forms part of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project, which aims at developing new clinical tools for characterizing individual hearing loss and for assessing hearing-aid (HA) benefit. Its purpose was to evaluate the interaction between four auditory profiles and three measures of HA outcome obtained for six HA processing strategies. Measurements were carried out in a realistic noise environment at signal-to-noise ratios that were set based on individual speech reception thresholds ('test SNRs'). Speech recognition scores and ratings of overall quality and noise annoyance were collected in two spatial conditions. The stimuli were generated with the help of a HA simulator and presented via headphones to 60 older habitual HA users who had previously been profiled based on a data-driven approach (Sanchez-Lopez et al., Trends in Hearing 2018). The four auditory profiles differed significantly in terms of the test SNRs and interacted significantly with the HA processing strategies for speech recognition in one spatial condition. Moreover, the correlations between the speech recognition scores and subjective ratings differed among the auditory profiles. However, the HA processing strategies leading to the best outcomes were similar across the four auditory profiles.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } The current study forms part of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project, which aims at developing new clinical tools for characterizing individual hearing loss and for assessing hearing-aid (HA) benefit. Its purpose was to evaluate the interaction between four auditory profiles and three measures of HA outcome obtained for six HA processing strategies. Measurements were carried out in a realistic noise environment at signal-to-noise ratios that were set based on individual speech reception thresholds ('test SNRs'). Speech recognition scores and ratings of overall quality and noise annoyance were collected in two spatial conditions. The stimuli were generated with the help of a HA simulator and presented via headphones to 60 older habitual HA users who had previously been profiled based on a data-driven approach (Sanchez-Lopez et al., Trends in Hearing 2018). The four auditory profiles differed significantly in terms of the test SNRs and interacted significantly with the HA processing strategies for speech recognition in one spatial condition. Moreover, the correlations between the speech recognition scores and subjective ratings differed among the auditory profiles. However, the HA processing strategies leading to the best outcomes were similar across the four auditory profiles. |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Fereczkowski, Michal; Neher, Tobias; Santurette, Sebastién; Dau, Torsten Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (SP.65), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{isaar2019rsl, title = {Robust auditory profiling: Improved data-driven method and profile definitions for better hearing rehabilitation}, author = {Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Michal Fereczkowski and Tobias Neher and Sebastién Santurette and Torsten Dau}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/700951/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {SP.65}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {Currently, clinical characterization of hearing deficits for hearing-aid fitting is based on the pure-tone audiogram. Implicitly, this assumes that the audiogram can predict performance in complex, supra-threshold tasks. Sanchez-Lopez et al. (2018) hypothesized that the hearing deficits of a given listener, both at threshold and supra-threshold levels, result from two independent types of auditory distortions. The authors performed a data-driven analysis of two large datasets with results from several tests, which led to the identification of four auditory profiles. However, the definition of the two types of distortion was challenged by differences between the two datasets in terms of the tests and listeners used. In the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project, a new dataset was generated with the aim of overcoming these limitations. A heterogeneous group of listeners was tested using measures of speech intelligibility, loudness perception, binaural processing abilities and spectro-temporal resolution. Consequently, the auditory profiles of Sanchez-Lopez et al. (2018) were refined. The resultant findings are discussed in connection to previous approaches for hearing-loss classification. The updated auditory profiles, together with the investigation of optimal hearing-aid compensation strategies, may form a solid basis for efficient hearing-aid fitting.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Currently, clinical characterization of hearing deficits for hearing-aid fitting is based on the pure-tone audiogram. Implicitly, this assumes that the audiogram can predict performance in complex, supra-threshold tasks. Sanchez-Lopez et al. (2018) hypothesized that the hearing deficits of a given listener, both at threshold and supra-threshold levels, result from two independent types of auditory distortions. The authors performed a data-driven analysis of two large datasets with results from several tests, which led to the identification of four auditory profiles. However, the definition of the two types of distortion was challenged by differences between the two datasets in terms of the tests and listeners used. In the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project, a new dataset was generated with the aim of overcoming these limitations. A heterogeneous group of listeners was tested using measures of speech intelligibility, loudness perception, binaural processing abilities and spectro-temporal resolution. Consequently, the auditory profiles of Sanchez-Lopez et al. (2018) were refined. The resultant findings are discussed in connection to previous approaches for hearing-loss classification. The updated auditory profiles, together with the investigation of optimal hearing-aid compensation strategies, may form a solid basis for efficient hearing-aid fitting. |
Lund, Katja; Ordoñez, Rodrigo; Nielsen, Jens Bo; Hammershøi, Dorte Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (SP.41), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{isaar2019kl, title = {"Yes, I have experienced that!" - How daily life experiences may be harvested from new hearing aid users}, author = {Katja Lund and Rodrigo Ordoñez and Jens Bo Nielsen and Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/700936/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {SP.41}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {The aim of the present pilot study was to assess daily life experiences of new hearing aid users and explore ways to utilize these assessments in a follow-up situation with the hearing care provider. The method was designed as an online pass-time activity, where the patients swipe through the randomly presented experiences, and select the ones they have had recently. The sentences were expected to evoke the memory of recent experiences and provide a language for the patients to describe these. Thirty new hearing aid users were included in the study. Data were collected over a period of two months and consisted of 453 pre-fabricated sentences representing experiences related to HA use. Each sentence correlated with one of 13 categories covering both auditory and non-auditory aspects. Data for each patient was visualized to elucidate both short- and long-term challenges and successes experienced, as well as irrelevant and not experienced situations. Presently the first three patients included in the study have completed a two-month follow-up. The overall response rate is 63% taking into account that some patients may not have started the log activity yet as the work is ongoing.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } The aim of the present pilot study was to assess daily life experiences of new hearing aid users and explore ways to utilize these assessments in a follow-up situation with the hearing care provider. The method was designed as an online pass-time activity, where the patients swipe through the randomly presented experiences, and select the ones they have had recently. The sentences were expected to evoke the memory of recent experiences and provide a language for the patients to describe these. Thirty new hearing aid users were included in the study. Data were collected over a period of two months and consisted of 453 pre-fabricated sentences representing experiences related to HA use. Each sentence correlated with one of 13 categories covering both auditory and non-auditory aspects. Data for each patient was visualized to elucidate both short- and long-term challenges and successes experienced, as well as irrelevant and not experienced situations. Presently the first three patients included in the study have completed a two-month follow-up. The overall response rate is 63% taking into account that some patients may not have started the log activity yet as the work is ongoing. |
Houmøller, Sabina Storbjerg; Wolff, Anne; Narne, Vijaya; Loquet, Gérard; Hougaard, Dan Dupont; Hammershøi, Dorte; Godballe, Christian; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (SP.20), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{isaar2019ssh, title = {Hearing aid satisfaction and differences in self-reported and data logged hearing aid usage time for experienced and first time users}, author = {Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller and Anne Wolff and Vijaya Narne and Gérard Loquet and Dan Dupont Hougaard and Dorte Hammershøi and Christian Godballe and Jesper Hvass Schmidt}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/701041/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {SP.20}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {Background: Hearing aid (HA) satisfaction is assessed by the self-administered International Outcome Inventory of Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaire. Objectives: The aims of the current study were to investigate the level of HA satisfaction for experienced and first time HA users, and to evaluate any difference between self-reported and objectively measured HA usage time (through data logging). Design: Self-reported questionnaire survey. Patients enrolled in the national BEAR project, from January 2017 to January 2018, answered the seven-item IOI-HA questionnaire targeting different hearing outcome domains; each scored from 1-5. Data logged HA usage time was obtained at two months follow-up visits and compared to the self-reported usage time obtained from the initial IOI-HA questionnaire item. Results: The study population (n=1649) comprised of both experienced (n=458) and first time HA users (n=1191). Total mean IOI-HA scores for experienced HA users increased by ∆0,36 (SD=0,92). Differences in levels of satisfaction between the two groups were further analyzed. Moreover, data logged usage time for experienced users was 10.4 hours (SD=5,10) and 8.35 hours (SD=1,02) for first time users. 15,9% of experienced users (n=422) reported in average a usage time from 4 to 8 hours whereas 21,5% of first time users (n=1152) reported in average 4 to 8 hours usage time.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Background: Hearing aid (HA) satisfaction is assessed by the self-administered International Outcome Inventory of Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaire. Objectives: The aims of the current study were to investigate the level of HA satisfaction for experienced and first time HA users, and to evaluate any difference between self-reported and objectively measured HA usage time (through data logging). Design: Self-reported questionnaire survey. Patients enrolled in the national BEAR project, from January 2017 to January 2018, answered the seven-item IOI-HA questionnaire targeting different hearing outcome domains; each scored from 1-5. Data logged HA usage time was obtained at two months follow-up visits and compared to the self-reported usage time obtained from the initial IOI-HA questionnaire item. Results: The study population (n=1649) comprised of both experienced (n=458) and first time HA users (n=1191). Total mean IOI-HA scores for experienced HA users increased by ∆0,36 (SD=0,92). Differences in levels of satisfaction between the two groups were further analyzed. Moreover, data logged usage time for experienced users was 10.4 hours (SD=5,10) and 8.35 hours (SD=1,02) for first time users. 15,9% of experienced users (n=422) reported in average a usage time from 4 to 8 hours whereas 21,5% of first time users (n=1152) reported in average 4 to 8 hours usage time. |
Wolff, Anne; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass; Houmøller, Sabina Storbjerg; Narne, Vijay; Hougaard, Dan Dupont; Gaihede, Michael; Loquet, Gérard; Hammershøi, Dorte Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (SP.76), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{isaar2019aw, title = {Health-related quality of life within a cohort of hearing impaired danish adults before and after hearing aid rehabilitation}, author = {Anne Wolff and Jesper Hvass Schmidt and Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller and Vijay Narne and Dan Dupont Hougaard and Michael Gaihede and Gérard Loquet and Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/701170/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {SP.76}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {15D is a standardized, self-administered, generic questionnaire that provides a profile (D1-15 score) and a single index score (D15-score) as a measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on a scale which ranges from zero to one. 15D also includes a question related to hearing (D3). When completed before and after hearing aid (HA) treatment the questionnaire can be used to assess the potential benefits of HA treatment related to HRQoL. Overall health status was collected by questionnaires (15D and a basic health-related questionnaire) before and two months after HA fitting. The study population (n=1536) comprised first time HA users (n=1096) and experienced HA users (n=440) enrolled in the BEAR project. HA resulted in improved mean score of D3 for both first time (∆D3: mean, SD (0.102; 0.19)) and experienced (∆D3: mean, SD (0.083; 0.20)) HA users after 2 months of HA use. Patients with "moderate to severe" and "severe" hearing loss, experienced a significant improvement in D3-HRQoL. The study supports that HA usage has a positive effect on HRQoL when looking at the hearing dimension. Degree of hearing loss alone does not explain the positive effect observed on D3-HRQoL. Therefore, additional parameters need to be studied in order to explain essential factors for patients with HL to be able to achieve an improvement of HRQoL following HA fitting.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } 15D is a standardized, self-administered, generic questionnaire that provides a profile (D1-15 score) and a single index score (D15-score) as a measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on a scale which ranges from zero to one. 15D also includes a question related to hearing (D3). When completed before and after hearing aid (HA) treatment the questionnaire can be used to assess the potential benefits of HA treatment related to HRQoL. Overall health status was collected by questionnaires (15D and a basic health-related questionnaire) before and two months after HA fitting. The study population (n=1536) comprised first time HA users (n=1096) and experienced HA users (n=440) enrolled in the BEAR project. HA resulted in improved mean score of D3 for both first time (∆D3: mean, SD (0.102; 0.19)) and experienced (∆D3: mean, SD (0.083; 0.20)) HA users after 2 months of HA use. Patients with "moderate to severe" and "severe" hearing loss, experienced a significant improvement in D3-HRQoL. The study supports that HA usage has a positive effect on HRQoL when looking at the hearing dimension. Degree of hearing loss alone does not explain the positive effect observed on D3-HRQoL. Therefore, additional parameters need to be studied in order to explain essential factors for patients with HL to be able to achieve an improvement of HRQoL following HA fitting. |
Hammershøi, Dorte Highlights from the better hearing rehabilitation (BEAR) project in Denmark Conference Invited presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems, (S1.07), The Danavox Jubilee Foundation 2019. @conference{isaar2019dh, title = {Highlights from the better hearing rehabilitation (BEAR) project in Denmark}, author = {Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {https://whova.com/embedded/speaker_session_detail/isaar_201908/683339/}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-21}, booktitle = {Invited presentation at the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research: Vol. 7: Auditory Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems}, number = {S1.07}, organization = {The Danavox Jubilee Foundation}, abstract = {The BEAR project runs from 2016-2021, and includes several scientific efforts, incl. the collection of data for almost 2.000 patients fitted according to current practice, development and assessment of new diagnostics for profiling and fitting strategies, as well as development and assessment of methods for measurement of the aided performance. The on-going work includes a proposal for a differentiated fitting based on extended auditory profiles and is accompanied by both in- and out-of-clinic options for testing and/or reporting on the aided performance experience. Future work will include an experimental validation of the proposed differentiated fitting, as well as a separate effort to investigate common denominators for patients with poor compensation benefits and options for out-of-clinic application of the proposed methods.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } The BEAR project runs from 2016-2021, and includes several scientific efforts, incl. the collection of data for almost 2.000 patients fitted according to current practice, development and assessment of new diagnostics for profiling and fitting strategies, as well as development and assessment of methods for measurement of the aided performance. The on-going work includes a proposal for a differentiated fitting based on extended auditory profiles and is accompanied by both in- and out-of-clinic options for testing and/or reporting on the aided performance experience. Future work will include an experimental validation of the proposed differentiated fitting, as well as a separate effort to investigate common denominators for patients with poor compensation benefits and options for out-of-clinic application of the proposed methods. |
Rye, Palle; Ordoñez, Rodrigo; Hammershøi, Dorte Out-of-clinic diagnostics of hearing impairment Conference Poster presentation at the Conference for Internet and Audiology, Southampton, 17-19 June 2019., (13), 2019. @conference{IaA2019PR, title = {Out-of-clinic diagnostics of hearing impairment}, author = {Palle Rye and Rodrigo Ordoñez and Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {http://internetaudiology.com/2019/files/IA2019_booklet.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-06-17}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the Conference for Internet and Audiology, Southampton, 17-19 June 2019.}, number = {13}, pages = {27}, abstract = {The potential benefits of out-of-clinic diagnostics are manifold: it may be used to alleviate clinically trained personnel where resources are scarce, it may reduce the need for travel and it allows for increased privacy and discretion for the potentially hearing impaired, who may see a self-administered hearing test as the first step toward accepting the need for a hearing aid. However, one of the inherent problems of such test situations is the lack of control over the user behavior and the test environment. With respect to the latter, the exact characteristics of the equipment used may not be known or available for routine checks and calibration. Background noise levels may pose a problem in some environments, and be a problem for subjects with audiometric thresholds near normal hearing level at some frequencies. Several strategies can be applied to overcome these challenges. Some types of hearing impairment can be characterized using supra-threshold methods that are more robust to background noise and calibration issues. The background noise level may be passively or actively suppressed, or monitored and applied to discard or repeat unreliable measurements. The purpose of present study is to examine the feasibility of selected out-of-clinic test strategies, and in a first evaluation the effect of each is quantified in laboratory assessments, where the key variables can be controlled. A platform consisting of a tablet-based automated paradigm using commercially available active noise cancelling headphones will be used. The accuracy of the procedures in real-life scenarios are determined by comparing the outcome with clinically determined audiometric measures. How well the test subjects manage the test will also be assessed, and data from a usability point of view will be collected.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } The potential benefits of out-of-clinic diagnostics are manifold: it may be used to alleviate clinically trained personnel where resources are scarce, it may reduce the need for travel and it allows for increased privacy and discretion for the potentially hearing impaired, who may see a self-administered hearing test as the first step toward accepting the need for a hearing aid. However, one of the inherent problems of such test situations is the lack of control over the user behavior and the test environment. With respect to the latter, the exact characteristics of the equipment used may not be known or available for routine checks and calibration. Background noise levels may pose a problem in some environments, and be a problem for subjects with audiometric thresholds near normal hearing level at some frequencies. Several strategies can be applied to overcome these challenges. Some types of hearing impairment can be characterized using supra-threshold methods that are more robust to background noise and calibration issues. The background noise level may be passively or actively suppressed, or monitored and applied to discard or repeat unreliable measurements. The purpose of present study is to examine the feasibility of selected out-of-clinic test strategies, and in a first evaluation the effect of each is quantified in laboratory assessments, where the key variables can be controlled. A platform consisting of a tablet-based automated paradigm using commercially available active noise cancelling headphones will be used. The accuracy of the procedures in real-life scenarios are determined by comparing the outcome with clinically determined audiometric measures. How well the test subjects manage the test will also be assessed, and data from a usability point of view will be collected. |
Lund, Katja; Ordoñez, Rodrigo; Nielsen, Jens Bo; Hammershøi, Dorte Sentence-based experience-logging in new hearing aid users Conference Poster presentation at the Conference for Internet and Audiology, Southampton, 17-19 June 2019., (15), 2019. @conference{IaA2019KL, title = {Sentence-based experience-logging in new hearing aid users}, author = {Katja Lund and Rodrigo Ordoñez and Jens Bo Nielsen and Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {http://internetaudiology.com/2019/files/IA2019_booklet.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-06-17}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at the Conference for Internet and Audiology, Southampton, 17-19 June 2019.}, number = {15}, pages = {28}, abstract = {Patients often experience hearing difficulties despite the use of HA (hearing aids). The difficulties may be related to a number of auditory and non-auditory factors such as benefit, comfort, maintenance etc. It is difficult for both the patient and the audiologist to know, if the fitting and the given outcome is the best possible. The sound may be experienced differently in the clinic compared to daily life and the knowledge and skills related to hearing aid use vary largely from patient to patient. The aim of the present study is to gain insight into the daily experiences of new hearing aid users, which may shed light on aspects of aided performance, which may not be unveiled through standard questionnaires or during consultation. Data is collected online and consists of more than 400 pre-fabricated sentences representing experiences related to HA use. The sentences have been developed based on observations, involvement of experts, and inspired by elements from validated questionnaires. Patients are asked to relate to each experience (sentence) on a regular basis over a period of two months. The method is designed as a pass-time activity, where the patients swipe through the randomly presented experiences, and select the ones they have had recently. The sentences are expected to evoke the memory of recent experiences in the patients and at the same time provide a language to describe these. The two-month data-logging is expected to elucidate the short- and long-term challenges of each patient and thus provide a useful feedback – and maybe adjustment – tool in a follow-up situation. The work is on-going. Data will be analyzed and if feasible, summarized in a feedback tool for the professionals for a two-month follow-up. The study is part of BEAR project funded by Innovation Fund Denmark and partners (incl. Oticon, GN Resound and Widex). Funding and collaboration is sincerely appreciated.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Patients often experience hearing difficulties despite the use of HA (hearing aids). The difficulties may be related to a number of auditory and non-auditory factors such as benefit, comfort, maintenance etc. It is difficult for both the patient and the audiologist to know, if the fitting and the given outcome is the best possible. The sound may be experienced differently in the clinic compared to daily life and the knowledge and skills related to hearing aid use vary largely from patient to patient. The aim of the present study is to gain insight into the daily experiences of new hearing aid users, which may shed light on aspects of aided performance, which may not be unveiled through standard questionnaires or during consultation. Data is collected online and consists of more than 400 pre-fabricated sentences representing experiences related to HA use. The sentences have been developed based on observations, involvement of experts, and inspired by elements from validated questionnaires. Patients are asked to relate to each experience (sentence) on a regular basis over a period of two months. The method is designed as a pass-time activity, where the patients swipe through the randomly presented experiences, and select the ones they have had recently. The sentences are expected to evoke the memory of recent experiences in the patients and at the same time provide a language to describe these. The two-month data-logging is expected to elucidate the short- and long-term challenges of each patient and thus provide a useful feedback – and maybe adjustment – tool in a follow-up situation. The work is on-going. Data will be analyzed and if feasible, summarized in a feedback tool for the professionals for a two-month follow-up. The study is part of BEAR project funded by Innovation Fund Denmark and partners (incl. Oticon, GN Resound and Widex). Funding and collaboration is sincerely appreciated. |
Wu, Mengfan; Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; El-Haj-Ali, Mouhamad; Nielsen, Silje Grini; Fereczkowski, Michal; Bianchi, Federica; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sebastién; Neher, Tobias Presentation at the 14th Congress of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS 2019), Lisbon, Portugal, 22-25 May 2019, (03875), European Federation of Audiology Societies 2019. @conference{EFAS2019MW, title = {Hearing aid processing strategies for listeners with different auditory profiles: Insights from the BEAR project}, author = {Mengfan Wu and Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Mouhamad El-Haj-Ali and Silje Grini Nielsen and Michal Fereczkowski and Federica Bianchi and Torsten Dau and Sebastién Santurette and Tobias Neher}, url = {https://fff0e2ea-6f01-41b9-b0dd-7dbdf3580dbb.filesusr.com/ugd/09d8d3_dc3fb64898554097a7427d3d03a1f290.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-05-22}, booktitle = {Presentation at the 14th Congress of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS 2019), Lisbon, Portugal, 22-25 May 2019}, number = {03875}, organization = {European Federation of Audiology Societies}, abstract = {Background, The Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project pursues the development and evaluation of new, clinically feasible strategies for individual hearing loss diagnosis and hearing aid (HA) fitting. Two essential elements of this research are the design of a new diagnostic test battery for identifying different auditory profiles and linking those profiles to different HA processing strategies. The current study focused on establishing links between four auditory profiles and the benefit from six HA processing strategies. Material and methods, Sixty older individuals with bilateral mild-to-severe sensorineural hearing losses from a clinical population of HA users participated. Speech-in-noise stimuli were generated with the help of a HA simulator that included directional processing, noise reduction and dynamic range compression. Stimulus presentation was via headphones. Six HA settings differing in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement and temporal and spectral speech distortions were selected for testing based on a comprehensive technical evaluation of different HA parameter settings. Speech-in-noise perception was assessed at fixed SNRs that were chosen based on individual speech reception threshold measurements. In addition, overall preference and noise annoyance were assessed using a multiple stimulus comparison paradigm. Results, We hypothesize that the perceptual outcomes from the six HA settings will differ across the different auditory profiles. More specifically, we expect listeners showing high sensitivity to temporal and spectral signal changes to perform best with and/or to prefer HA settings that preserve those cues. In contrast, we expect listeners showing low sensitivity to temporal and spectral signal changes to perform best with settings that maximize SNR improvement, independent of any additional signal distortions. Conclusions, We anticipate that the findings from the current study will provide the basis for the implementation of more individualized HA fitting strategies to be tested subsequently in wearable HAs.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Background, The Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project pursues the development and evaluation of new, clinically feasible strategies for individual hearing loss diagnosis and hearing aid (HA) fitting. Two essential elements of this research are the design of a new diagnostic test battery for identifying different auditory profiles and linking those profiles to different HA processing strategies. The current study focused on establishing links between four auditory profiles and the benefit from six HA processing strategies. Material and methods, Sixty older individuals with bilateral mild-to-severe sensorineural hearing losses from a clinical population of HA users participated. Speech-in-noise stimuli were generated with the help of a HA simulator that included directional processing, noise reduction and dynamic range compression. Stimulus presentation was via headphones. Six HA settings differing in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement and temporal and spectral speech distortions were selected for testing based on a comprehensive technical evaluation of different HA parameter settings. Speech-in-noise perception was assessed at fixed SNRs that were chosen based on individual speech reception threshold measurements. In addition, overall preference and noise annoyance were assessed using a multiple stimulus comparison paradigm. Results, We hypothesize that the perceptual outcomes from the six HA settings will differ across the different auditory profiles. More specifically, we expect listeners showing high sensitivity to temporal and spectral signal changes to perform best with and/or to prefer HA settings that preserve those cues. In contrast, we expect listeners showing low sensitivity to temporal and spectral signal changes to perform best with settings that maximize SNR improvement, independent of any additional signal distortions. Conclusions, We anticipate that the findings from the current study will provide the basis for the implementation of more individualized HA fitting strategies to be tested subsequently in wearable HAs. |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Nielsen, Silje Grini; Ej-Haj-Ali, Mouhamad; Cañete, Oscar; Wu, Mengfan; Fereczkowski, Michal; Bianchi, Federica; Neher, Tobias; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sebastién Presentation at the 14th Congress of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS 2019), Lisbon, Portugal, 22-25 May 2019, (03921), European Federation of Audiology Societies 2019. @conference{EFAS2019RSL, title = {Auditory profiling as a tool for characterizing individual hearing deficits: Data-driven analysis of the results of the BEAR Test Battery}, author = {Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Silje Grini Nielsen and Mouhamad Ej-Haj-Ali and Oscar Cañete and Mengfan Wu and Michal Fereczkowski and Federica Bianchi and Tobias Neher and Torsten Dau and Sebastién Santurette}, url = {https://fff0e2ea-6f01-41b9-b0dd-7dbdf3580dbb.filesusr.com/ugd/09d8d3_dc3fb64898554097a7427d3d03a1f290.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-05-22}, booktitle = {Presentation at the 14th Congress of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS 2019), Lisbon, Portugal, 22-25 May 2019}, number = {03921}, organization = {European Federation of Audiology Societies}, abstract = {Background: One aim of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project is to define a new clinical profiling tool, a test-battery, for individualized hearing loss characterization. Whereas the loss of sensitivity can be efficiently assessed by pure-tone audiometry, it still remains a challenge to address supra-threshold hearing deficits using appropriate clinical diagnostic tools. In contrast to the classical attenuation-distortion model, the proposed BEAR approach is based on the hypothesis that any listener’s hearing can be characterized along two dimensions reflecting largely independent types of perceptual distortions. Recently, a data-driven approach (Sanchez-Lopez et al., 2018) provided evidence consistent with the existence of two independent sources of distortion, and thus different auditory profiles. Method: Based on considerations of feasibility, time efficiency and evidence from literature, 11 tests were selected for the clinical test battery. The proposed tests were divided into six categories: audibility, middle-ear analysis, speech perception, binaural-processing abilities, loudness perception, and spectro-temporal resolution. Fifty-seven listeners with symmetric, mild-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss were selected from a clinical population of hearing-aid users who completed all tests included in the battery. The participants were tested in a clinical environment and did not receive systematic training for any of the tasks. Results: The analysis of the preliminary results will focus on the ability of each test to pinpoint individual differences among the participants, relationships among the different tests, and determining their potential use in clinical settings. Importantly, a parallel study will evaluate the extent to which the outcomes of these tests can be used for hearing-aid fitting. Conclusion: Based on the results of a data-driven analysis for auditory profiling, the test battery will be refined and implemented as a clinical profiling tool in audiology clinics.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Background: One aim of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project is to define a new clinical profiling tool, a test-battery, for individualized hearing loss characterization. Whereas the loss of sensitivity can be efficiently assessed by pure-tone audiometry, it still remains a challenge to address supra-threshold hearing deficits using appropriate clinical diagnostic tools. In contrast to the classical attenuation-distortion model, the proposed BEAR approach is based on the hypothesis that any listener’s hearing can be characterized along two dimensions reflecting largely independent types of perceptual distortions. Recently, a data-driven approach (Sanchez-Lopez et al., 2018) provided evidence consistent with the existence of two independent sources of distortion, and thus different auditory profiles. Method: Based on considerations of feasibility, time efficiency and evidence from literature, 11 tests were selected for the clinical test battery. The proposed tests were divided into six categories: audibility, middle-ear analysis, speech perception, binaural-processing abilities, loudness perception, and spectro-temporal resolution. Fifty-seven listeners with symmetric, mild-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss were selected from a clinical population of hearing-aid users who completed all tests included in the battery. The participants were tested in a clinical environment and did not receive systematic training for any of the tasks. Results: The analysis of the preliminary results will focus on the ability of each test to pinpoint individual differences among the participants, relationships among the different tests, and determining their potential use in clinical settings. Importantly, a parallel study will evaluate the extent to which the outcomes of these tests can be used for hearing-aid fitting. Conclusion: Based on the results of a data-driven analysis for auditory profiling, the test battery will be refined and implemented as a clinical profiling tool in audiology clinics. |
Lund, Katja; Hammershøi, Dorte How professionals assess outcome in clinical hearing rehabilitation Conference Presentation at the 14th Congress of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS 2019), Lisbon, Portugal, 22-25 May 2019, (04039), 2019. @conference{EFAS2019KL, title = {How professionals assess outcome in clinical hearing rehabilitation}, author = {Katja Lund and Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {https://fff0e2ea-6f01-41b9-b0dd-7dbdf3580dbb.filesusr.com/ugd/09d8d3_dc3fb64898554097a7427d3d03a1f290.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-05-22}, booktitle = {Presentation at the 14th Congress of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS 2019), Lisbon, Portugal, 22-25 May 2019}, number = {04039}, abstract = {Background: Denmark has currently no formal requirements for testing and documenting the aided listening performance and outcome obtained with hearing aids rehabilitation. Yet most professionals both validate and assess the aided listening experience in various ways as part of the fitting procedure and in follow-up assessments. The goal of the present study was to observe standard clinical practice and identify methods and actions currently used, and examine their potential for formalization and inclusion in guidelines, or replacement by existing formalized procedures. Material and methods: The relevant professionals receive a major part of their training through supervised internships, and it is anticipated that much of their knowledge is tacit and informal. The general methods for the study therefore comprise a combination of interviews with and observations of professionals during hearing-aid fitting and at two-month follow-up. Observations and contextual inquiries of the clinical practice were made in three public hearing clinics in Denmark including 17 professionals, which were either medical audiologists (ENT doctors), audiology assistants or professionals in audiologopedics. These are the main categories of professionals involved in hearing-aid fitting in public clinics in Denmark. Each professional participated between two and ten hours in the present study. Results: The results show that professionals assess outcome using methods, which are often individually and tacitly anchored covering 1) validation of basic hearing aid functionality, 2) patient awareness on gain with hearing aids, 3) access to knowledge on patient experiences through sound descriptions, 4) assessment of aided performance in real life and 5) non-auditory assessments. Conclusion: Some of the informal methods observed may be formalized as a part of a more patient-centered communication strategy – other need further examination or may be replaced by existing, already validated formal frameworks, or by test batteries under development. Acknowledgement: The collaboration within the BEAR project and funding by Innovation Fund Denmark and partners of the BEAR project (incl. Oticon, GN Resound and Widex) is sincerely appreciated.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Background: Denmark has currently no formal requirements for testing and documenting the aided listening performance and outcome obtained with hearing aids rehabilitation. Yet most professionals both validate and assess the aided listening experience in various ways as part of the fitting procedure and in follow-up assessments. The goal of the present study was to observe standard clinical practice and identify methods and actions currently used, and examine their potential for formalization and inclusion in guidelines, or replacement by existing formalized procedures. Material and methods: The relevant professionals receive a major part of their training through supervised internships, and it is anticipated that much of their knowledge is tacit and informal. The general methods for the study therefore comprise a combination of interviews with and observations of professionals during hearing-aid fitting and at two-month follow-up. Observations and contextual inquiries of the clinical practice were made in three public hearing clinics in Denmark including 17 professionals, which were either medical audiologists (ENT doctors), audiology assistants or professionals in audiologopedics. These are the main categories of professionals involved in hearing-aid fitting in public clinics in Denmark. Each professional participated between two and ten hours in the present study. Results: The results show that professionals assess outcome using methods, which are often individually and tacitly anchored covering 1) validation of basic hearing aid functionality, 2) patient awareness on gain with hearing aids, 3) access to knowledge on patient experiences through sound descriptions, 4) assessment of aided performance in real life and 5) non-auditory assessments. Conclusion: Some of the informal methods observed may be formalized as a part of a more patient-centered communication strategy – other need further examination or may be replaced by existing, already validated formal frameworks, or by test batteries under development. Acknowledgement: The collaboration within the BEAR project and funding by Innovation Fund Denmark and partners of the BEAR project (incl. Oticon, GN Resound and Widex) is sincerely appreciated. |
Loquet, Gérard; Narne, Vijay; Piechowiak, Tobias; Wolff, Anne; Houmøller, Sabina Storbjerg; Hougaard, Dan Dupont; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass; Hammershøi, Dorte Better Hearing Rehabilitation (BEAR) Study in Denmark: Introducing the Centralized Clinical Database Conference Poster at the 14th Congress of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS 2019), Lisbon, Portugal, 22-25 May 2019, (04087-P080), European Federation of Audiology Societies 2019. @conference{EFAS2019GL, title = {Better Hearing Rehabilitation (BEAR) Study in Denmark: Introducing the Centralized Clinical Database}, author = {Gérard Loquet and Vijay Narne and Tobias Piechowiak and Anne Wolff and Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller and Dan Dupont Hougaard and Jesper Hvass Schmidt and Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {https://fff0e2ea-6f01-41b9-b0dd-7dbdf3580dbb.filesusr.com/ugd/09d8d3_dc3fb64898554097a7427d3d03a1f290.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-05-22}, booktitle = {Poster at the 14th Congress of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS 2019), Lisbon, Portugal, 22-25 May 2019}, number = {04087-P080}, organization = {European Federation of Audiology Societies}, abstract = {Background: The purpose of the BEAR project is to improve hearing loss management by revising diagnostic techniques and hearing aid fitting practices based on individual hearing profiles, expectations and lifestyle. As a starting point, a large clinical database has been prepared to better characterize the current clinical status in Denmark. The analysis will be used to identify the main challenges faced by hearing aid users in order to develop appropriate tools to improve performances. Method: The study is a multicentre, prospective, open, non-randomized, single-arm trial with sequential enrolment of all qualified patients, conducted under a common clinical investigation plan. Up to almost 2,000 evaluable patients have been enrolled from two Danish clinics. After having undergone medical and audiological examination and other assessments (health related and quality of life questionnaires), the patients were prescribed a hearing aid and got a fitting. Approximately 2 months later, a follow-up visit took place and whenever needed an adjustment was offered (plus other assessments). An across-center database, hosted independently from clinics, universities and hearing-aid manufacturers but accessible by all parties, was created to gather the data (access granted to each partner if data managers adhere to ethical permissions and requirements for data security). Results: The investigation generated approximately 30’000 patient records and we started by characterizing the general distribution of audiometric data (air and bone conductions, speech tests) and questionnaires (health, speech, hearing aids, tinnitus and quality of life related). The analysis focused specifically on correlations detection between demographics, audiometric tests and questionnaires in order to classify patients into subsets. Conclusion: The present clinical database should be seen as a starting point for other BEAR work packages. We believe that such large variety of data generated will lead to a more comprehensive picture of the hearing-aid user and will bring benefits to both clinicians and manufacturers. Indeed, this first step represents the baseline against which new fitting strategies will be tested. Alternatively, clinically relevant subpopulations with low hearing-aid benefit will be identified and studied to tentatively bring alternatives in rehabilitation.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Background: The purpose of the BEAR project is to improve hearing loss management by revising diagnostic techniques and hearing aid fitting practices based on individual hearing profiles, expectations and lifestyle. As a starting point, a large clinical database has been prepared to better characterize the current clinical status in Denmark. The analysis will be used to identify the main challenges faced by hearing aid users in order to develop appropriate tools to improve performances. Method: The study is a multicentre, prospective, open, non-randomized, single-arm trial with sequential enrolment of all qualified patients, conducted under a common clinical investigation plan. Up to almost 2,000 evaluable patients have been enrolled from two Danish clinics. After having undergone medical and audiological examination and other assessments (health related and quality of life questionnaires), the patients were prescribed a hearing aid and got a fitting. Approximately 2 months later, a follow-up visit took place and whenever needed an adjustment was offered (plus other assessments). An across-center database, hosted independently from clinics, universities and hearing-aid manufacturers but accessible by all parties, was created to gather the data (access granted to each partner if data managers adhere to ethical permissions and requirements for data security). Results: The investigation generated approximately 30’000 patient records and we started by characterizing the general distribution of audiometric data (air and bone conductions, speech tests) and questionnaires (health, speech, hearing aids, tinnitus and quality of life related). The analysis focused specifically on correlations detection between demographics, audiometric tests and questionnaires in order to classify patients into subsets. Conclusion: The present clinical database should be seen as a starting point for other BEAR work packages. We believe that such large variety of data generated will lead to a more comprehensive picture of the hearing-aid user and will bring benefits to both clinicians and manufacturers. Indeed, this first step represents the baseline against which new fitting strategies will be tested. Alternatively, clinically relevant subpopulations with low hearing-aid benefit will be identified and studied to tentatively bring alternatives in rehabilitation. |
Hammershøi, Dorte A study of better hearing rehabilitation in Denmark (the BEAR project) Conference Presentation at the 14th Congress of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS 2019), Lisbon, Portugal, 22-25 May 2019, (04079), European Federation of Audiology Societies 2019. @conference{EFAS2019DH, title = {A study of better hearing rehabilitation in Denmark (the BEAR project)}, author = {Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {https://fff0e2ea-6f01-41b9-b0dd-7dbdf3580dbb.filesusr.com/ugd/09d8d3_dc3fb64898554097a7427d3d03a1f290.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-05-22}, booktitle = {Presentation at the 14th Congress of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS 2019), Lisbon, Portugal, 22-25 May 2019}, number = {04079}, organization = {European Federation of Audiology Societies}, abstract = {Background: The overall vision of the project is to improve hearing rehabilitation through an evidence-based renewal of clinical practice. The structured approach comprise studies of the current practice in Denmark, considerations for new methods, experimental application and refinement of this, evaluation and implementation of the most promising renewals. Method: The reference for existing practice is based on data for almost 2,000 patients, which have been fitted with hearing aids during 2017-2018 in two of the participating clinics. The considerations for new profiling methods are based on the analysis of prior studies incl. more diverse diagnostics than used currently. New fitting strategies are preliminarily tested using hearing-aid simulations in laboratory settings, in parallel to test trials of new aided-performance tests and paradigms for assessing user experiences in the field. These studies are all on going and will be reported in more detail in accompanying presentations. The experimental application of the novel fitting strategies is currently being planned, and will include the experimental application of the prospective strategy in real hearing aids. The refinement of novel strategies includes studies of the clinical efficiency, socio-economic trade-offs, options of out-of-clinic application, and attention to populations with low benefits. The evaluation and implementation includes proposals for future standardization, and the collection of any additional reference data for this effort. Results: A clinical database for almost 2,000 patients has been established, which includes standard data supplemented with widely used questionnaires for the assessment of outcome. The clinical practice has been examined for tacit knowledge in validation and assessment of user outcomes. A proposal for four differing hearing profiles has been developed, and six different fitting strategies is examined for their potential. A test battery for aided listening performance has been developed. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by Innovation Fund Denmark Grand Solutions 5164-00011B (Better hEAring Rehabilitation project), Oticon, GN Resound, Widex and other partners (University of Southern Denmark, Aalborg University, the Technical University of Denmark, Force, and Aalborg, Odense and Copenhagen University Hospitals). The funding and collaboration of all partners is sincerely acknowledged.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Background: The overall vision of the project is to improve hearing rehabilitation through an evidence-based renewal of clinical practice. The structured approach comprise studies of the current practice in Denmark, considerations for new methods, experimental application and refinement of this, evaluation and implementation of the most promising renewals. Method: The reference for existing practice is based on data for almost 2,000 patients, which have been fitted with hearing aids during 2017-2018 in two of the participating clinics. The considerations for new profiling methods are based on the analysis of prior studies incl. more diverse diagnostics than used currently. New fitting strategies are preliminarily tested using hearing-aid simulations in laboratory settings, in parallel to test trials of new aided-performance tests and paradigms for assessing user experiences in the field. These studies are all on going and will be reported in more detail in accompanying presentations. The experimental application of the novel fitting strategies is currently being planned, and will include the experimental application of the prospective strategy in real hearing aids. The refinement of novel strategies includes studies of the clinical efficiency, socio-economic trade-offs, options of out-of-clinic application, and attention to populations with low benefits. The evaluation and implementation includes proposals for future standardization, and the collection of any additional reference data for this effort. Results: A clinical database for almost 2,000 patients has been established, which includes standard data supplemented with widely used questionnaires for the assessment of outcome. The clinical practice has been examined for tacit knowledge in validation and assessment of user outcomes. A proposal for four differing hearing profiles has been developed, and six different fitting strategies is examined for their potential. A test battery for aided listening performance has been developed. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by Innovation Fund Denmark Grand Solutions 5164-00011B (Better hEAring Rehabilitation project), Oticon, GN Resound, Widex and other partners (University of Southern Denmark, Aalborg University, the Technical University of Denmark, Force, and Aalborg, Odense and Copenhagen University Hospitals). The funding and collaboration of all partners is sincerely acknowledged. |
Wolff, Anne; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass; Houmøller, Sabina Storbjerg; Narne, Vijay; Hougaard, Dan Dupont; Gaihede, Michael; Loquet, Gérard; Hammershøi, Dorte Dansk Selskab for Otorhinolaryngologi, Hoved- & Halskirurgi, årsmøde 25-26 april 2019, 2019. @conference{DSOHH2019, title = {Self-reported Health-related Quality of Life in a cohort of Danish adults with hearing impairment before and after hearing-aid rehabilitation}, author = {Anne Wolff and Jesper Hvass Schmidt and Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller and Vijay Narne and Dan Dupont Hougaard and Michael Gaihede and Gérard Loquet and Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {http://dsohh.dk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Program_%C3%A5rsm%C3%B8de2019-1.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-04-26}, booktitle = {Dansk Selskab for Otorhinolaryngologi, Hoved- & Halskirurgi, årsmøde 25-26 april 2019}, abstract = {Introduction: The 15-Dimension instrument (15D) is a standardized, self-administered, generic questionnaire that provides a profile (D1-15 score) and a single index score (D15-score) as a measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on a scale with a range between zero and one. Moreover, this questionnaire includes a question related to hearing (D3). When completed before and after hearing aid (HA) treatment, this questionnaire assesses the potential benefits of HA treatment on HRQoL. Method: Prospective clinical trial with HA treatment as intervention. The data were collected by means of self-reported questionnaires (15D and a basic health-related questionnaire) before and two months following HA-fitting. The study population (n=1536) comprised of both first time HA users (n=1096) and experienced HA users (n=440) enrolled in the multicenter better hearing rehabilitation (BEAR) project. Results: HA treatment resulted in improved mean score of D3 for both new (∆D3: mean, SD (0.102; 0.19) and experienced (∆D3: mean, SD (0.083; 0.20) HA users following 2 months of HA use. Patients with both “moderate to severe” and “severe” hearing loss, defined by the GBD hearing impairment classification, experienced a significant improvement in D3. Discussion: The study supports that HA usage has a positive effect on HRQoL and that HA treatment results in improved HRQoL when looking at the hearing dimension. Degree of hearing loss alone does not explain the positive effect observed. Therefore, additional parameters need to be studied in order to explain which factors are essential for patients with HL to be able to achieve an improvement of HRQoL following HA-fitting.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Introduction: The 15-Dimension instrument (15D) is a standardized, self-administered, generic questionnaire that provides a profile (D1-15 score) and a single index score (D15-score) as a measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on a scale with a range between zero and one. Moreover, this questionnaire includes a question related to hearing (D3). When completed before and after hearing aid (HA) treatment, this questionnaire assesses the potential benefits of HA treatment on HRQoL. Method: Prospective clinical trial with HA treatment as intervention. The data were collected by means of self-reported questionnaires (15D and a basic health-related questionnaire) before and two months following HA-fitting. The study population (n=1536) comprised of both first time HA users (n=1096) and experienced HA users (n=440) enrolled in the multicenter better hearing rehabilitation (BEAR) project. Results: HA treatment resulted in improved mean score of D3 for both new (∆D3: mean, SD (0.102; 0.19) and experienced (∆D3: mean, SD (0.083; 0.20) HA users following 2 months of HA use. Patients with both “moderate to severe” and “severe” hearing loss, defined by the GBD hearing impairment classification, experienced a significant improvement in D3. Discussion: The study supports that HA usage has a positive effect on HRQoL and that HA treatment results in improved HRQoL when looking at the hearing dimension. Degree of hearing loss alone does not explain the positive effect observed. Therefore, additional parameters need to be studied in order to explain which factors are essential for patients with HL to be able to achieve an improvement of HRQoL following HA-fitting. |
Bisgaard, Nikolai BEAR - A Large Scale Effort to Improve Clinical Practice Conference American Auditory Society's Scientific & Technology Meeting, February 28 - March 2, 2019, Scottsdale, Arizona, US., 2019. @conference{AAS2019, title = {BEAR - A Large Scale Effort to Improve Clinical Practice}, author = {Nikolai Bisgaard}, url = {https://aas.memberclicks.net/assets/2019_FINAL_PROGRAM.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-03-02}, booktitle = {American Auditory Society's Scientific & Technology Meeting, February 28 - March 2, 2019, Scottsdale, Arizona, US.}, abstract = {A large scale study on clinical practices and hearing aid fitting has been started in Denmark in 2016 with aim of achieving better precision in fitting and creating new improved clinical guidelines. This $ 7.5 mill. program is a joint effort by 3 Universities, 3 Danish University Hospitals, 3 Danish hearing aid manufactures and the Danish certification laboratory. The program has three phases. The first phase has three focus areas: Acquisition of 2000 patients as a reference set using current clinical practices, development of improved outcome assessment and patient profiling and new signal processing strategies adapted to the more detailed profiling. Phase two centers on validation of the new strategies, studies on subpopulations with low benefit and development of a new efficient clinical strategy. Phase three includes studies on patient driven diagnostics and fitting and revising standards for clinical practice. The presentation will give an overview of the program as well as some of the first results.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } A large scale study on clinical practices and hearing aid fitting has been started in Denmark in 2016 with aim of achieving better precision in fitting and creating new improved clinical guidelines. This $ 7.5 mill. program is a joint effort by 3 Universities, 3 Danish University Hospitals, 3 Danish hearing aid manufactures and the Danish certification laboratory. The program has three phases. The first phase has three focus areas: Acquisition of 2000 patients as a reference set using current clinical practices, development of improved outcome assessment and patient profiling and new signal processing strategies adapted to the more detailed profiling. Phase two centers on validation of the new strategies, studies on subpopulations with low benefit and development of a new efficient clinical strategy. Phase three includes studies on patient driven diagnostics and fitting and revising standards for clinical practice. The presentation will give an overview of the program as well as some of the first results. |
Wolff, Anne; Houmøller, Sabina Storbjerg; Loquet, Gérard; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass; Narne, Vijay; Gaihede, Michael; Hougaard, Dan Dupont; Hammershøi, Dorte Annual midwinter meeting in the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (Book of Abstracts), 42 (PD 163), 2019. @conference{ARO2019, title = {The Better Hearing Rehabilitation (BEAR) Study in Denmark. Study Population Characteristics and Perspectives}, author = {Anne Wolff and Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller and Gérard Loquet and Jesper Hvass Schmidt and Vijay Narne and Michael Gaihede and Dan Dupont Hougaard and Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.aro.org/resource/resmgr/mwm2019/2019_aro_mwm_abstracts_final.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-02-13}, booktitle = {Annual midwinter meeting in the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (Book of Abstracts)}, volume = {42}, number = {PD 163}, pages = {719}, abstract = {A recent report from WHO noted that 360 million people in the world have hearing loss. Despite efforts to provide hearing aids (HA) to people in need, hearing loss remains an unmet need. In Denmark, for example, 20% of HA owners do not use their HA regularly which results in wasted clinical resources and a lack of rehabilitation. To improve the treatment, we propose to revise diagnostic techniques and HA fitting practices based on individual hearing profiles, set of expectations, and lifestyles. To achieve this, a cooperative project “BEAR” has been launched between three national universities, three hospitals, and the HA industry in Denmark. This resulted in the building of a database of over 30,000 patient records, collected by two audiologic departments (Aalborg and Odense, Denmark), from January 2017 until April 2018 from 1,963 hearing impaired patients. Data obtained describe procedures which are currently used in clinical audiology across Denmark and allow to explore which measures are available for each patient and what type of HA fitting they have received. Records consisted of audiometric data (air and bone conduction, uncomfortable levels, speech reception thresholds speech discrimination scores, stapedius reflex and tympanometry, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory), quality of life evaluation using questionnaires (health related quality of life [15-D], Health Related Questionnaires, Charlson Comorbidity Index), HA outcome measures using questionnaires (Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale [SSQ-12], International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids [IOI-HA]) and HA fitting data (HA types, log data, fitting rationale and real-ear measurements). The database has a gender ratio of 126 males for 100 females, a mean age at 67 years (range from 19 to 100 years) and a mean hearing threshold in the better hearing ear of 40 dB HL (four frequencies average). 71.9 percent of the patients are first time HA users, as against 28.1 percent for patients with previous HA experience. Preliminary analyses show on average significant improvement in hearing abilities with HA (from IOI-HA and SSQ-12). However, substantial number of participants (18%) did not derive enough benefit from HA. Further analysis will be directed towards finding the possible reasons and grouping the participants based on HA benefit, demographic and audiological data. This will enable us to identify the areas, among contemporary standard examinations and hearing fitting strategies, which would be relevant to explore, change or further develop to provide a better HA fitting and thereby a greater user satisfaction.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } A recent report from WHO noted that 360 million people in the world have hearing loss. Despite efforts to provide hearing aids (HA) to people in need, hearing loss remains an unmet need. In Denmark, for example, 20% of HA owners do not use their HA regularly which results in wasted clinical resources and a lack of rehabilitation. To improve the treatment, we propose to revise diagnostic techniques and HA fitting practices based on individual hearing profiles, set of expectations, and lifestyles. To achieve this, a cooperative project “BEAR” has been launched between three national universities, three hospitals, and the HA industry in Denmark. This resulted in the building of a database of over 30,000 patient records, collected by two audiologic departments (Aalborg and Odense, Denmark), from January 2017 until April 2018 from 1,963 hearing impaired patients. Data obtained describe procedures which are currently used in clinical audiology across Denmark and allow to explore which measures are available for each patient and what type of HA fitting they have received. Records consisted of audiometric data (air and bone conduction, uncomfortable levels, speech reception thresholds speech discrimination scores, stapedius reflex and tympanometry, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory), quality of life evaluation using questionnaires (health related quality of life [15-D], Health Related Questionnaires, Charlson Comorbidity Index), HA outcome measures using questionnaires (Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale [SSQ-12], International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids [IOI-HA]) and HA fitting data (HA types, log data, fitting rationale and real-ear measurements). The database has a gender ratio of 126 males for 100 females, a mean age at 67 years (range from 19 to 100 years) and a mean hearing threshold in the better hearing ear of 40 dB HL (four frequencies average). 71.9 percent of the patients are first time HA users, as against 28.1 percent for patients with previous HA experience. Preliminary analyses show on average significant improvement in hearing abilities with HA (from IOI-HA and SSQ-12). However, substantial number of participants (18%) did not derive enough benefit from HA. Further analysis will be directed towards finding the possible reasons and grouping the participants based on HA benefit, demographic and audiological data. This will enable us to identify the areas, among contemporary standard examinations and hearing fitting strategies, which would be relevant to explore, change or further develop to provide a better HA fitting and thereby a greater user satisfaction. |
2018 |
Lopez, Raul Sanchez Towards a profile-based hearing-aid fitting Conference Hearing Systems Presentation Day, DTU, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, 12 Oct 2018., 2018. @conference{DTU2018a, title = {Towards a profile-based hearing-aid fitting}, author = {Raul Sanchez Lopez}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-10-12}, booktitle = {Hearing Systems Presentation Day, DTU, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, 12 Oct 2018.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Nielsen, Jens Bo A test battery for predicting the real-life performance of hearing aid Conference Hearing Systems Presentation Day, DTU, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, 12 Oct 2018., 2018. @conference{DTU2018b, title = {A test battery for predicting the real-life performance of hearing aid}, author = {Jens Bo Nielsen}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-10-12}, booktitle = {Hearing Systems Presentation Day, DTU, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, 12 Oct 2018.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Hammershøi, Dorte Update på BEAR projektet Conference Invited presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 5-6 Oct 2018. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark, 2018. @conference{DTAS2018a, title = {Update på BEAR projektet}, author = {Dorte Hammershøi}, url = {http://www.dtas.dk/DTAS_Program_2018.pdf}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-10-06}, booktitle = {Invited presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 5-6 Oct 2018. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Wu, Mengfan; El-Haj-Ali, Mouhamad; Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Fereczkowski, Michal; Bianchi, Federica; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sébastien; Neher, Tobias Poster presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 5-6 Oct 2018. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark, 2018. @conference{DTAS2018b, title = {Hearing aid processing strategies for listeners with different auditory profiles: Insights from the BEAR project}, author = {Mengfan Wu and Mouhamad El-Haj-Ali and Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Michal Fereczkowski and Federica Bianchi and Torsten Dau and Sébastien Santurette and Tobias Neher}, url = {http://www.dtas.dk/DTAS_Program_2018.pdf}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-10-05}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 5-6 Oct 2018. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Bianchi, Federica; Fereczkowski, Michal; Piechowiak, Tobias; Hau, Ole; Pedersen, Michael Syskind; Behrens, Thomas; Neher, Tobias; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sébastien Technical evaluation of hearing-aid fitting parameters for different auditory profiles Conference Poster presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 5-6 Oct 2018. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark, 2018. @conference{DTAS2018bb, title = {Technical evaluation of hearing-aid fitting parameters for different auditory profiles}, author = {Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Federica Bianchi and Michal Fereczkowski and Tobias Piechowiak and Ole Hau and Michael Syskind Pedersen and Thomas Behrens and Tobias Neher and Torsten Dau and Sébastien Santurette}, url = {http://www.dtas.dk/DTAS_Program_2018.pdf}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-10-05}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 5-6 Oct 2018. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Lorentzen, Line Nim; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass Poster presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 5-6 Oct 2018. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark, 2018. @conference{DTAS2018d, title = {The Danish version of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale in its abbreviated form, the SSQ12 – a study of Validation}, author = {Line Nim Lorentzen and Jesper Hvass Schmidt}, url = {http://www.dtas.dk/DTAS_Program_2018.pdf}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-10-05}, booktitle = {Poster presentation at Danish Technical Audiological Society's annual meeting, 5-6 Oct 2018. Hotel Vejlefjord, Stouby, Denmark}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Schmidt, Jesper Hvass; Lorentzen, Line Nim BEAR Conference Præsentation på Vingstedkursus for medarbejdere i hørerehabiliteringen ved kommunikationscentre 2018, 2018. @conference{Vingsted2018, title = {BEAR}, author = {Jesper Hvass Schmidt and Line Nim Lorentzen}, url = {https://centerkommunikationogvelfaerdsteknologi.regionsyddanmark.dk/wm508245}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-09-04}, booktitle = {Præsentation på Vingstedkursus for medarbejdere i hørerehabiliteringen ved kommunikationscentre 2018}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Fereczkowski, Michal; Bianchi, Federica; El-Haj-Ali, Mouhamad; Neher, Tobias; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sébastien Auditory tests for characterizing individual hearing deficits: The BEAR test battery Conference Poster at International Hearing Aid Research Conference (IHCON 2018), Lake Tahoe, California, US, 15-19 Aug 2018, (C3-P-27), 2018. @conference{IHCON2018b, title = {Auditory tests for characterizing individual hearing deficits: The BEAR test battery}, author = {Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Michal Fereczkowski and Federica Bianchi and Mouhamad El-Haj-Ali and Tobias Neher and Torsten Dau and Sébastien Santurette}, url = {https://ihcon.org/files/ihcon/files/final_final_ihcon_2018_program_0.pdf}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-08-17}, booktitle = {Poster at International Hearing Aid Research Conference (IHCON 2018), Lake Tahoe, California, US, 15-19 Aug 2018}, number = {C3-P-27}, pages = {49}, abstract = {The Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project seeks to develop and assess new clinically feasible strategies for individualized hearing-loss diagnosis and hearing-aid fitting. The aim is to improve current clinical practice, where the fitting process relies on the pure-tone audiogram and trial-and-error methods. These usually result in inconsistent practices and patient dissatisfaction and inefficient service. Existing evidence suggests that the audiogram does not sufficiently describe supra-threshold performance of hearing-impaired listeners. Detailed characterization of hearing deficits can be complex. Therefore, one aim of the BEAR project is to design a hearing test battery for classification of listeners into a small number of auditory profiles. If successful, this BEAR test battery may be refined and reduced to form the basis for improved profile-based hearing-aid fitting protocols. Method: Based on the reanalysis of existing auditory profiling data and on criteria of their feasibility, time efficiency, and evidence from the literature, eleven potential tests for inclusion in a clinical test battery were selected. The proposed tests were divided into six categories: audibility, middle-ear analysis, speech perception, binaural-processing abilities, loudness perception, and spectro-temporal resolution. Thirty hearing-impaired listeners with symmetric mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss were selected from a clinical population of hearing-aid users. All listeners performed every test included in the battery. The participants were tested in a clinical environment and did not receive systematic training on any of the tasks. Results: The considered tests have so far shown potential for auditory profiling. The analysis of the preliminary results will focus on the ability of each test to pinpoint individual differences among the participants, interrelations among the tests, as well as their usability for the target clinical population. Importantly, a parallel study will evaluate the extent to which the outcomes of these tests can be used for hearing-aid fitting. Finally, the current test battery will be refined for implementation in clinical practice, based on the results of a data-driven analysis for auditory profiling.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } The Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project seeks to develop and assess new clinically feasible strategies for individualized hearing-loss diagnosis and hearing-aid fitting. The aim is to improve current clinical practice, where the fitting process relies on the pure-tone audiogram and trial-and-error methods. These usually result in inconsistent practices and patient dissatisfaction and inefficient service. Existing evidence suggests that the audiogram does not sufficiently describe supra-threshold performance of hearing-impaired listeners. Detailed characterization of hearing deficits can be complex. Therefore, one aim of the BEAR project is to design a hearing test battery for classification of listeners into a small number of auditory profiles. If successful, this BEAR test battery may be refined and reduced to form the basis for improved profile-based hearing-aid fitting protocols. Method: Based on the reanalysis of existing auditory profiling data and on criteria of their feasibility, time efficiency, and evidence from the literature, eleven potential tests for inclusion in a clinical test battery were selected. The proposed tests were divided into six categories: audibility, middle-ear analysis, speech perception, binaural-processing abilities, loudness perception, and spectro-temporal resolution. Thirty hearing-impaired listeners with symmetric mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss were selected from a clinical population of hearing-aid users. All listeners performed every test included in the battery. The participants were tested in a clinical environment and did not receive systematic training on any of the tasks. Results: The considered tests have so far shown potential for auditory profiling. The analysis of the preliminary results will focus on the ability of each test to pinpoint individual differences among the participants, interrelations among the tests, as well as their usability for the target clinical population. Importantly, a parallel study will evaluate the extent to which the outcomes of these tests can be used for hearing-aid fitting. Finally, the current test battery will be refined for implementation in clinical practice, based on the results of a data-driven analysis for auditory profiling. |
Dau, Torsten Auditory processing models and their potential application in hearing technology Conference Invited presentation at International Hearing Aid Research Conference (IHCON 2018), Lake Tahoe, California, US, 15-19 Aug 2018, (C4-0-1), 2018. @conference{IHCON2018cb, title = {Auditory processing models and their potential application in hearing technology}, author = {Torsten Dau}, url = {https://ihcon.org/files/ihcon/files/final_final_ihcon_2018_program_0.pdf}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-08-17}, booktitle = {Invited presentation at International Hearing Aid Research Conference (IHCON 2018), Lake Tahoe, California, US, 15-19 Aug 2018}, number = {C4-0-1}, pages = {52-53}, abstract = {Auditory processing models provide a powerful framework to both represent and interpret the results from a variety of experiments and to further understand the functioning of different parts of the auditory system. An important category of functional computational models seeks to capture the essential signal transformations along the auditory pathway, rather than their specific physiological substrates, and helps generate hypotheses that can be quantitatively tested for complex systems at different functional levels. These models can also help determine how a deficit in one or more functional components affects the overall operation of the system. The first part of this presentation describes some current trends in quantitative modeling of speech perception in challenging acoustic conditions, inspired by coding principles from physiology at periphery and mid-brain stages of processing. While such models can account reasonably well for speech intelligibility data from normal-hearing listeners, the prediction of data from individual hearing-impaired or aided listeners remains challenging. The second part considers compensation strategies in hearing instruments inspired by auditory models. Current compensation schemes, such as dynamic range compression, loudness compensation or speech enhancement, aim at processing the signal such that the perception of the aided signal in the hearing-impaired listener matches the perception of a normalhearing listener. While some approaches are promising, nonlinear system compensation is generally difficult to achieve in real-life situations and real-time applications. Moreover, even for the case of a purely peripheral impairment, consequences at more central stages can be manifold and complex and are typically less well understood. Current compensation strategies aim to restore peripheral processing but the restoration of cues at central stages may be equally relevant to consider. This, in turn, requires models that accurately capture such higher-level processing. Some modeling perspectives are finally described that attempt to bridge this gap between peripheral/midbrain and central processing using artificial neural network architectures. Such networks are optimized to solve real-world auditory tasks, such as speech recognition, and are currently matching the performance of human listeners. The degree to which task-optimized models can be viewed as models of the ‘real’ biological system are discussed. Overall, it is argued that the primary relevance of computational auditory signal-processing models remains the description of the transformations of the acoustical input signal into its essential ‘internal’ representations. More detailed descriptions of this process may, in turn, allow for more sophisticated hearing-aid compensation strategies to be developed.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Auditory processing models provide a powerful framework to both represent and interpret the results from a variety of experiments and to further understand the functioning of different parts of the auditory system. An important category of functional computational models seeks to capture the essential signal transformations along the auditory pathway, rather than their specific physiological substrates, and helps generate hypotheses that can be quantitatively tested for complex systems at different functional levels. These models can also help determine how a deficit in one or more functional components affects the overall operation of the system. The first part of this presentation describes some current trends in quantitative modeling of speech perception in challenging acoustic conditions, inspired by coding principles from physiology at periphery and mid-brain stages of processing. While such models can account reasonably well for speech intelligibility data from normal-hearing listeners, the prediction of data from individual hearing-impaired or aided listeners remains challenging. The second part considers compensation strategies in hearing instruments inspired by auditory models. Current compensation schemes, such as dynamic range compression, loudness compensation or speech enhancement, aim at processing the signal such that the perception of the aided signal in the hearing-impaired listener matches the perception of a normalhearing listener. While some approaches are promising, nonlinear system compensation is generally difficult to achieve in real-life situations and real-time applications. Moreover, even for the case of a purely peripheral impairment, consequences at more central stages can be manifold and complex and are typically less well understood. Current compensation strategies aim to restore peripheral processing but the restoration of cues at central stages may be equally relevant to consider. This, in turn, requires models that accurately capture such higher-level processing. Some modeling perspectives are finally described that attempt to bridge this gap between peripheral/midbrain and central processing using artificial neural network architectures. Such networks are optimized to solve real-world auditory tasks, such as speech recognition, and are currently matching the performance of human listeners. The degree to which task-optimized models can be viewed as models of the ‘real’ biological system are discussed. Overall, it is argued that the primary relevance of computational auditory signal-processing models remains the description of the transformations of the acoustical input signal into its essential ‘internal’ representations. More detailed descriptions of this process may, in turn, allow for more sophisticated hearing-aid compensation strategies to be developed. |
Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Fereczkowski, Michal; Bianchi, Federica; Santurette, Sébastien; Dau, Torsten Data-driven auditory profiling as a tool for defining Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) Conference Poster at International Hearing Aid Research Conference (IHCON 2018), Lake Tahoe, California, US, 15-19 Aug 2018, (B3-P-04), 2018. @conference{IHCON2018a, title = {Data-driven auditory profiling as a tool for defining Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR)}, author = {Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Michal Fereczkowski and Federica Bianchi and Sébastien Santurette and Torsten Dau}, url = {https://ihcon.org/files/ihcon/files/final_final_ihcon_2018_program_0.pdf}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-08-16}, booktitle = {Poster at International Hearing Aid Research Conference (IHCON 2018), Lake Tahoe, California, US, 15-19 Aug 2018}, number = {B3-P-04}, pages = {32}, abstract = {Background: While the audiogram still stands as the main tool for selecting hearing-aid compensation strategies in audiological clinics, there is ample evidence that loss of hearing sensitivity cannot fully account for common difficulties encountered by people with sensorineural hearing loss, such as understanding speech in noisy environments. Forty years after R. Plomp proposed his attenuation-distortion model of hearing impairment, it remains a challenge to address the distortion component, mainly related to suprathreshold deficits, via adequate clinical diagnostics and corresponding hearing-aid compensation strategies. Inspired by the different auditory profiling approaches used in the literature, a major aim of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project is to define a new clinical profiling tool, a test battery, for individualized hearing loss characterization. Methods: The proposed BEAR approach is based on the hypothesis that any listener’s hearing can be characterized along two dimensions reflecting largely independent types of perceptual distortions. In order to keep the approach as neutral as possible, no a priori assumption was made about the nature of the two distortion types. Instead, a statistical analysis method, combining unsupervised and supervised learning, was applied to existing data. The aim was to provide a tool to help define the two distortion types, such that potentially relevant tests for classifying listeners into different auditory profiles could be identified. So far, the data from two auditory profiling studies were reanalyzed based on this approach. First, an unsupervised-learning technique including archetypal analysis was used to identify extreme patterns in the data, forming the basis for different auditory profiles. Next, a decision tree was determined to classify the listeners into one of the profiles. Results: The data-driven analysis provided consistent evidence for the existence of two independent sources of distortion, and thus different auditory profiles, in the data. The results suggested that the first distortion type was related to loss of sensitivity at high frequencies as well as reduced peripheral compression and frequency selectivity, while the second distortion type was linked to binaural temporal-fine-structure processing abilities as well as low-frequency sensitivity loss. The audiogram was not found to reflect an independent dimension on its own, and the most informative predictors for profile identification beyond the audiogram were related to temporal processing, binaural processing, compressive peripheral nonlinearity, and speech-in-noise perception. The current approach can be used to analyze other existing data sets and may help define an optimal test battery to achieve efficient clinical auditory profiling.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Background: While the audiogram still stands as the main tool for selecting hearing-aid compensation strategies in audiological clinics, there is ample evidence that loss of hearing sensitivity cannot fully account for common difficulties encountered by people with sensorineural hearing loss, such as understanding speech in noisy environments. Forty years after R. Plomp proposed his attenuation-distortion model of hearing impairment, it remains a challenge to address the distortion component, mainly related to suprathreshold deficits, via adequate clinical diagnostics and corresponding hearing-aid compensation strategies. Inspired by the different auditory profiling approaches used in the literature, a major aim of the Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project is to define a new clinical profiling tool, a test battery, for individualized hearing loss characterization. Methods: The proposed BEAR approach is based on the hypothesis that any listener’s hearing can be characterized along two dimensions reflecting largely independent types of perceptual distortions. In order to keep the approach as neutral as possible, no a priori assumption was made about the nature of the two distortion types. Instead, a statistical analysis method, combining unsupervised and supervised learning, was applied to existing data. The aim was to provide a tool to help define the two distortion types, such that potentially relevant tests for classifying listeners into different auditory profiles could be identified. So far, the data from two auditory profiling studies were reanalyzed based on this approach. First, an unsupervised-learning technique including archetypal analysis was used to identify extreme patterns in the data, forming the basis for different auditory profiles. Next, a decision tree was determined to classify the listeners into one of the profiles. Results: The data-driven analysis provided consistent evidence for the existence of two independent sources of distortion, and thus different auditory profiles, in the data. The results suggested that the first distortion type was related to loss of sensitivity at high frequencies as well as reduced peripheral compression and frequency selectivity, while the second distortion type was linked to binaural temporal-fine-structure processing abilities as well as low-frequency sensitivity loss. The audiogram was not found to reflect an independent dimension on its own, and the most informative predictors for profile identification beyond the audiogram were related to temporal processing, binaural processing, compressive peripheral nonlinearity, and speech-in-noise perception. The current approach can be used to analyze other existing data sets and may help define an optimal test battery to achieve efficient clinical auditory profiling. |
Wu, Mengfan; El-Haj-Ali, Mouhamad; Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Fereczkowski, Michal; Bianchi, Federica; Dau, Torsten; Santurette, Sébastien; Neher, Tobias Presentation at International Hearing Aid Research Conference (IHCON 2018), Lake Tahoe, California, US, 15-19 Aug 2018, (B3-0-2), 2018. @conference{IHCON2018c, title = {Hearing aid processing strategies for listeners with different auditory profiles: Insights from the BEAR project}, author = {Mengfan Wu and Mouhamad El-Haj-Ali and Raul Sanchez-Lopez and Michal Fereczkowski and Federica Bianchi and Torsten Dau and Sébastien Santurette and Tobias Neher}, url = {https://ihcon.org/files/ihcon/files/final_final_ihcon_2018_program_0.pdf}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-08-16}, booktitle = {Presentation at International Hearing Aid Research Conference (IHCON 2018), Lake Tahoe, California, US, 15-19 Aug 2018}, number = {B3-0-2}, pages = {29}, abstract = {Background: The Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project pursues the development and evaluation of new clinically feasible strategies for individual hearing loss diagnosis and hearing aid fitting. Two essential elements of this research are the design of a new diagnostic test battery for identifying different auditory profiles and linking those profiles to hearing aid processing strategies. The current study focused on establishing links between four auditory profiles and benefit from six hearing aid processing strategies. Methods: Participants were 30 older individuals with bilateral mild-to-severe sensorineural hearing losses who were selected from a clinical population of hearing aid users. Speech-in-noise stimuli were generated with the help of a hearing aid simulator that included directional processing, noise reduction and dynamic range compression. Stimulus presentation was via headphones. Six hearing aid settings that differed in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement and temporal and spectral speech distortions were selected for testing based on a comprehensive technical evaluation of different parameterisations of the hearing aid simulator. Speech-in-noise perception was assessed at fixed input SNRs that were selected based on individual speech reception threshold (SRT50) measurements. Participants were required to recognize five-word, low-context sentences embedded in two realistic noise backgrounds. In addition, overall preference and noise annoyance were assessed using a multiple stimulus comparison paradigm. Results: We hypothesize that the perceptual outcomes from the six hearing aid settings will differ across listeners with different auditory profiles. More specifically, we expect listeners showing high sensitivity to temporal and spectral differences to perform best with and/or to favour hearing aid settings that preserve those cues. In contrast, we expect listeners showing low sensitivity to temporal and spectral differences to perform best with and/or to favour settings that maximize SNR improvement, independent of any additional speech distortions. Altogether, we anticipate that these findings will provide the basis for more individualized fitting strategies to be implemented in wearable hearing aids.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Background: The Better hEAring Rehabilitation (BEAR) project pursues the development and evaluation of new clinically feasible strategies for individual hearing loss diagnosis and hearing aid fitting. Two essential elements of this research are the design of a new diagnostic test battery for identifying different auditory profiles and linking those profiles to hearing aid processing strategies. The current study focused on establishing links between four auditory profiles and benefit from six hearing aid processing strategies. Methods: Participants were 30 older individuals with bilateral mild-to-severe sensorineural hearing losses who were selected from a clinical population of hearing aid users. Speech-in-noise stimuli were generated with the help of a hearing aid simulator that included directional processing, noise reduction and dynamic range compression. Stimulus presentation was via headphones. Six hearing aid settings that differed in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement and temporal and spectral speech distortions were selected for testing based on a comprehensive technical evaluation of different parameterisations of the hearing aid simulator. Speech-in-noise perception was assessed at fixed input SNRs that were selected based on individual speech reception threshold (SRT50) measurements. Participants were required to recognize five-word, low-context sentences embedded in two realistic noise backgrounds. In addition, overall preference and noise annoyance were assessed using a multiple stimulus comparison paradigm. Results: We hypothesize that the perceptual outcomes from the six hearing aid settings will differ across listeners with different auditory profiles. More specifically, we expect listeners showing high sensitivity to temporal and spectral differences to perform best with and/or to favour hearing aid settings that preserve those cues. In contrast, we expect listeners showing low sensitivity to temporal and spectral differences to perform best with and/or to favour settings that maximize SNR improvement, independent of any additional speech distortions. Altogether, we anticipate that these findings will provide the basis for more individualized fitting strategies to be implemented in wearable hearing aids. |
Wolff, Anne; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass; Houmøller, Sabina Storbjerg; Hougaard, Dan Dupont; Gaihede, Michael; Godballe, Christian; Hammershøi, Dorte The Better Hearing Rehabilitation (BEAR) study in Denmark. Population characteristics of the hearing aid user and benefits of hearing aid treatment in the current program of hearing rehabilitation Conference Presentation at the Nordic Audiological Society, Harpa, Iceland, 6-8 June 2018., 2018. @conference{NAS2018, title = {The Better Hearing Rehabilitation (BEAR) study in Denmark. Population characteristics of the hearing aid user and benefits of hearing aid treatment in the current program of hearing rehabilitation}, author = {Anne Wolff and Jesper Hvass Schmidt and Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller and Dan Dupont Hougaard and Michael Gaihede and Christian Godballe and Dorte Hammershøi}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-06-06}, booktitle = {Presentation at the Nordic Audiological Society, Harpa, Iceland, 6-8 June 2018.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Sánchez, Raul Technical characteristics of hearing devices. Differences between hearing aids, personal sound amplifiers and hearables Conference Presentation at the XV National Congress of the Spanish Audiological Society, Toledo, Spain, May 24-26, 2018. @conference{AEDA1, title = {Technical characteristics of hearing devices. Differences between hearing aids, personal sound amplifiers and hearables}, author = {Raul Sánchez}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-05-26}, booktitle = {Presentation at the XV National Congress of the Spanish Audiological Society, Toledo, Spain, May 24-26}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Sánchez, Raul Hearing aids and hearing aid market. The limits of and scope between the clinic and supermarket. Where we are and where we are going Conference Roundtable discussion at the XV National Congress of the Spanish Association of Audiology, Toledo, Spain, May 24-26, 2018. @conference{AEDA2b, title = {Hearing aids and hearing aid market. The limits of and scope between the clinic and supermarket. Where we are and where we are going}, author = {Raul Sánchez}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-05-26}, booktitle = {Roundtable discussion at the XV National Congress of the Spanish Association of Audiology, Toledo, Spain, May 24-26}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Santurette, Sébastien; Bianchi, Federica; Dau, Torsten Effects of musical training and hearing loss on pitch discrimination Conference Proceedings of the Baltic Nordic Acoustical Meeting 2018, Reykjavik, Iceland 15-18 Apr, 2018. , 2018. @conference{BNAM2018a, title = {Effects of musical training and hearing loss on pitch discrimination}, author = {Sébastien Santurette and Federica Bianchi and Torsten Dau}, url = {https://events.artegis.com/urlhost/artegis/customers/1571/.lwtemplates/layout/default/events_public/12612//Papers/2025392_SanturetteBianchiDau_BNAM2018.pdf}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-04-15}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the Baltic Nordic Acoustical Meeting 2018, Reykjavik, Iceland 15-18 Apr, 2018. }, pages = {1-6}, abstract = {Our ability to perceive the pitch of complex sounds is essential for melody perception and for our enjoyment of music. It also plays an important role in speech perception to convey intonation and sometimes meaning, e.g., in tonal languages, and greatly helps segregation of competing sound sources. Humans are able to discriminate very small changes in the pitch of complex harmonic sounds, with fundamental frequency difference limens (F0DLs) that can be smaller than 1% of the fundamental frequency (F0). However, performance in such pitch discrimination tasks is known to depend on the harmonic content of the sound and whether the harmonics are resolved by the auditory frequency analysis operated by cochlear processing. F0DLs are also heavily influenced by the amount of musical training received by the listener and by the spectrotemporal auditory processing deficits that often accompany sensorineural hearing loss. This paper reviews the latest evidence for how musical training and hearing loss affect pitch discrimination performance, based on behavioral F0DL experiments with complex tones containing either resolved or unresolved harmonics, carried out in listeners with different degrees of hearing loss and musicianship. A better understanding of the interaction between these two factors is crucial to determine whether auditory training based on musical tasks or targeted towards specific auditory cues may be useful to hearing-impaired patients undergoing hearing rehabilitation.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Our ability to perceive the pitch of complex sounds is essential for melody perception and for our enjoyment of music. It also plays an important role in speech perception to convey intonation and sometimes meaning, e.g., in tonal languages, and greatly helps segregation of competing sound sources. Humans are able to discriminate very small changes in the pitch of complex harmonic sounds, with fundamental frequency difference limens (F0DLs) that can be smaller than 1% of the fundamental frequency (F0). However, performance in such pitch discrimination tasks is known to depend on the harmonic content of the sound and whether the harmonics are resolved by the auditory frequency analysis operated by cochlear processing. F0DLs are also heavily influenced by the amount of musical training received by the listener and by the spectrotemporal auditory processing deficits that often accompany sensorineural hearing loss. This paper reviews the latest evidence for how musical training and hearing loss affect pitch discrimination performance, based on behavioral F0DL experiments with complex tones containing either resolved or unresolved harmonics, carried out in listeners with different degrees of hearing loss and musicianship. A better understanding of the interaction between these two factors is crucial to determine whether auditory training based on musical tasks or targeted towards specific auditory cues may be useful to hearing-impaired patients undergoing hearing rehabilitation. |
Neher, Tobias The "Better Hearing Rehabilitation" project: Research into improved diagnostics and hearing aid treatment in Denmark Conference 21st Annual Meeting of the German Audiological Society, Halle, Germany, Feb. 28 - March 3, 2018. @conference{DAGA2018, title = {The "Better Hearing Rehabilitation" project: Research into improved diagnostics and hearing aid treatment in Denmark}, author = {Tobias Neher}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-02-28}, booktitle = {21st Annual Meeting of the German Audiological Society, Halle, Germany, Feb. 28 - March 3}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Dau, Torsten From data-driven auditory profiling to scene-aware signal processing in hearing aids Conference 21st Annual Meeting of the German Audiological Society, Halle, Germany, Feb. 28 - March 3, 2018. @conference{DAGA2017b, title = {From data-driven auditory profiling to scene-aware signal processing in hearing aids}, author = {Torsten Dau}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-02-28}, booktitle = {21st Annual Meeting of the German Audiological Society, Halle, Germany, Feb. 28 - March 3}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
2017 |
Lund, Katja Kontekstuelle interviews i audiologiske klinikker Conference Presentation of the BEAR project at Bispebjerg Hospital, 2. november, 2017. @conference{KatjaBBH2017, title = {Kontekstuelle interviews i audiologiske klinikker}, author = {Katja Lund}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-11-02}, booktitle = {Presentation of the BEAR project at Bispebjerg Hospital, 2. november}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
Santurette, Sébastien Better Hearing Rehabilitation project presentation Conference Presentation of the BEAR project at Bispebjerg Hospital, 2. november, 2017. @conference{SeSBBH2017, title = {Better Hearing Rehabilitation project presentation}, author = {Sébastien Santurette}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-11-02}, booktitle = {Presentation of the BEAR project at Bispebjerg Hospital, 2. november}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } |
University Hospitals
Odense University Hospital
Rikke Schnack-Petersen
rikke.schnack-petersen@rsyd.dk
Aalborg University Hospital
Michael Gaihede
mlg@rn.dk
Copenhagen University Hospital
Jesper Borchorst Yde
jesper.borchorst.yde.01@regionh.dk
Academia
University of Southen Denmark
Jesper Hvass Schmidt
jesper.schmidt@rsyd.dk
Aalborg University
Dorte Hammershøi
dh@es.aau.dk
Technical University of Denmark
Torsten Dau
tdau@dtu.dk
Tech Service
Industry
Oticon
Karen Wibling Solgård
kaws@oticon.dk
GN Resound
Nikolai Bisgaard
nbisgaard@gnresound.com
WSAudiology
Filip Marchman Rønne
filip.roenne@wsa.com
