The use of remote microphone systems in unilateral hearing loss: a preliminary study among Brazilian children and teenagers

Abstract Due to the large number of individuals with Unilateral Hearing Loss (UHL) and the recommendation to use hearing assistive devices, studies are required to define possibilities of intervention for this population. Objective: To evaluate the performance of the Remote Microphone System (RMS) in children with UHL. Methodology: Prospective clinical study with a convenience sample. Eleven children (mean age of 9.2 years) with severe and profound sensorineural UHL, hearing aid users and enrolled in regular schools participated in the study. They were evaluated using the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT), the Classroom Participation Questionnaire (CPQ), and the Sustained Auditory Attention Ability Test (SAAAT) with RMS. Results: HINT results were analyzed using variance to three criteria of repeated measures, which revealed differences between intervention, position, and time factors and significant interaction between these three factors. The comparative analysis of the results from CPQ showed significant differences in the statistical t-test (p=<0.001) for all subscales. The analysis of variance at two repeated measures criteria used in the study of SAAAT revealed a difference between intervention and time, and both interacted significantly. Conclusion: The RMS associated with a hearing aid was effective for individuals with UHL.

Speech perception and quality of life of open-fit hearing aid users

ABSTRACT Objective To relate the performance of individuals with hearing loss at high frequencies in speech perception with the quality of life before and after the fitting of an open-fit hearing aid (HA). Methods The WHOQOL-BREF had been used before the fitting and 90 days after the use of HA. The Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) had been conducted in two phases: (1) at the time of fitting without an HA (situation A) and with an HA (situation B); (2) with an HA 90 days after fitting (situation C). Study Sample Thirty subjects with sensorineural hearing loss at high frequencies. Results By using an analysis of variance and the Tukey’s test comparing the three HINT situations in quiet and noisy environments, an improvement has been observed after the HA fitting. The results of the WHOQOL-BREF have showed an improvement in the quality of life after the HA fitting (paired t-test). The relationship between speech perception and quality of life before the HA fitting indicated a significant relationship between speech recognition in noisy environments and in the domain of social relations after the HA fitting (Pearson’s correlation coefficient). Conclusions The auditory stimulation has improved speech perception and the quality of life of individuals.

Teleaudiologia: análise da comunicação profissional/paciente no processo de seleção e adaptação de aparelhos de amplificação sonora individuais via teleconsulta / Teleaudiology: analysis of the professional/patient communication in the selection process and hearing aid fitting via teleconsultation

Pesquisas demonstraram que a teleconsulta síncrona com vídeo interativo e compartilhamento remoto de aplicativos pode ser utilizada com sucesso na programação e verificação de aparelhos de amplificação sonora individuais (AASIs). Entretanto, esta consulta, mediada via tecnologia de informação e comunicação, pode dificultar a efetiva comunicação profissional/paciente, com consequente impacto negativo na compreensão e retenção da informação, adesão e bem-estar psicológico do paciente durante o tratamento. Este estudo comparou a comunicação nas consultas para adaptação do AASI realizadas face a face e a distância. Participaram do estudo 60 deficientes auditivos, com idades entre 50 e 89 anos (média=69), candidatos ao uso do AASI, divididos em dois grupos conforme a modalidade de atendimento: face a face (n=30) e teleconsulta (n=30). Estes participantes foram atendidos por cinco fonoaudiólogas com experiência na adaptação do AASI e, nas teleconsultas, por mais quatro facilitadores. O software TeamViewer 10© foi utilizado para a transmissão de áudio e vídeo e compartilhamento de dados (conexão via LAN USP, velocidade de 384 Kbps), entre o computador localizado no ambiente de teste, onde estavam o paciente e facilitador, e o ambiente remoto, onde estava a fonoaudióloga. Assim, a fonoaudióloga conduziu os procedimentos de programaçã e verificação do AASI à distância, com auxílio do facilitador. Todas as consultas foram gravadas em formato de vídeo. Dois avaliadores independentes analisaram os vídeos e atribuíram uma pontuação de 0 a 24 pontos para a comunicação ocorrida nas consultas, de acordo com a Escala Global de Pontuação de Consultas (Global Consultation Rating Scale GCRS). Pontuações maiores indicam resultados mais favoráveis. Em média, a duração das teleconsultas foi 10 minutos maior que a das consultas presenciais. Problemas técnicos ocorreram em 27% das teleconsultas, sendo necessário interrompê-las e reiniciá-las. A pontuação média da GCRS foi de 15,3...

Researches have shown that the synchronous teleconsultation with interactive video and remote application sharing can be used successfully in programming and verification of hearing aids (HAs). However, this consultation, mediated via information and communication technology and communication, may difficult the effective communication professional/patient, with consequent negative impact on patients comprehension and retention of information, adherence and psychological welfare of the patient during the treatment. This study compared the communication in HA fitting consultations performed face-to-face and at distance. Participated in this study 60 hearing impaired, aged between 50 and 89 years (average=69), candidates to the HA use, divided into two groups according to the attendance modality: face to face (n=30) and teleconsultation (n=30). These participants were attended by five audiologists with expertise in hearing aid fitting and, in the teleconsultations, for another four facilitators. The TeamViewer software 10© was used to transmit audio and video and data sharing (connection via LAN USP, 384 Kbps speed), amongst the computer located in the test environment, where were the patient and the facilitator, and the remote environment, where was the audiologist. Thus, the audiologists conducted the programming procedures and examination of the hearing aid at the distance, with the facilitators assistance. All consultations were recorded in video format. Two independent examiners evaluated the videos and assigned a score of 0 to 24 points for communication occurred in the consultations, according to the Global Consultation Rating Scale GCRS. Higher scores indicate better results. On average, the duration of the teleconsultation was 10 minutes longer than the face to face consultations. Technical problems occurred in 27% of teleconsultation, being necessary to interrupt and restart them. The average score of the GCRS was 15.3...