Temporal processing and speech perception through multi-channel and channel-free hearing aids in hearing impaired.

Objective: To compare the temporal processing skills and speech in noise perception of hearing-impaired individuals through channel free and multichannel hearing aids.Design: A quasi-experimental study.Study sample: Twenty-one participants with sensory neural hearing loss were involved in the study. They were subjected to a series of temporal processing (TMTF, GDT & CMR-UCM/CM) and speech in noise test using a multichannel and channel-free hearing aid. Subsequently, they rated sound quality and hearing aid preferences. Objectively, the hearing aid signal output was acoustically analysed for modulation detection and gap detection tasks.Results: In all the test, participants manifested equal performance with the tested devices except CMR-CM task where channel-free outperformed. Acoustic analysis showed evidence of spectral and temporal distortion in channel-free hearing aid, similar to multichannel hearing aids. Finally, channel free was the most preferred hearing aid by less experienced participants.Conclusion: All the measures indicated similar performance across the tested devices and complemented one another in their explanation of study findings. Faster gain adjustments of channel free across the frequency facilitated better-comodulated masking release than that achieved with MCC. Preference for the sound quality of the channel free was based on factors, usually subjective. Channel-free hearing aid depicted spectral and envelope distortion, like MCC.

The relationship of perceived severity of tinnitus with depression, anxiety, hearing status, age and gender in individuals with tinnitus.

INTRODUCTION: The present study investigated the relationship between the perceived tinnitus severity, depressive and anxiety symptoms in individuals with tinnitus. An attempt was also made to see if any relationship exists between the perceived tinnitus severity and the age, gender or hearing status of the sufferer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty individuals (31 males, 19 females) with tinnitus (age range 19 to 60 years) were enrolled in the study. After the routine pure tone audiometry, each participant completed the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report-30. RESULTS: A significant correlation (r = 0.585, p pp < 0.01 respectively). Furthermore, age, gender and hearing status did not significantly influence the perceived severity of tinnitus. CONCLUSION: The results support the view that there is a strong relation between tinnitus and anxiety-depressive symptoms. Further, perceived severity of tinnitus is not influenced by age, gender and hearing status of the individual.

The Influence of Cartoons Soundscape Irrelevant Sound Effects on young children's Auditory Processing and Working memory skills.

BACKGROUND: Irrelevant sound or speech effect (ISE) affects an individual's serial recall task of visual and auditory presentations. Cartoon soundscape mimics irrelevant sound effect hypothesis. A constant and repeated exposure to cartoons in early childhood should influence children's auditory learning or recall performance. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of cartoons' soundscape irrelevant sound effects on young children's auditory processing and working memory skills. RESEARCH DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was used to observe the influence of the cartoon soundscape irrelevant sound effects on children. STUDY SAMPLE: Sixty young children with normal hearing in the age range 5-6years were exposed to cartoons (Indian plus Non-Indian) considered for the study. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Pitch Pattern Test (PPT), Duration Pattern Test (DPT), and Corsi-Block working memory apparatus were applied to the participants exposed to cartoons. The data obtained were compared statistically in terms of the groups' performances. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in PPT (p=.023) and DPT (p=.001) between the cartoon exposed and non-exposed groups. In contrast, there was no significant difference between the two groups in Corsi-Block working memory(p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Cartoon soundscape irrelevant sound or speech affects young children's auditory processing skills. The visual-spatial recall follows a different developmental pattern in young children without recoding to phonological aspects. It is predicted that our study findings might help determine the ill effects of cartoons on the auditory and language development process.

Assessment of Eustachian tube functioning following surgical intervention of Oral Submucus Fibrosis by using tympanometry & audiometry.

Oral Submucus fibrosis has been reported to cause variation in hearing sensitivity & changes in middle ear function. This study was conducted to validate the influence of OSMF and its surgical correction on middle ear function and hearing sensitivity. In this study, 20 patients (40 ears) suffering from biopsy proven OSMF (Group 2 & 3) were tested for Middle ear dysfunction and hearing sensitivity using Tympanometry & Audiometry. On Tympanometry, Type A curve was obtained in 29 ears, Type B curve in 11 ears preoperatively. Immediate postoperatively TYPE A curve was obtained in 27 ears, TYPE B curve in 13 ears. After 1 month and 3 month Type B curve was not obtained in any ear. On Audiometry,28 ears showed normal hearing and 12 ears showed minimal conductive hearing loss preoperatively and Immediate postoperatively. Tests after 1 month and 3 months showed all 40 ears having normal hearing. Results were found statistically significant with p value 0.000 and F value of 11.331 in Tympanometry and 11.143 in Audiometry. Pearson correlation test revealed that results from both the test are highly co related (0.902). OSMF causes fibrotic changes in paratubal muscles which in addition with restricted mouth opening hampers proper Eustachian tube functioning in turn causing changes in Middle ear function. This feature is seldom/infrequently found in Group 2 and 3 and if encountered can be dealt effectively with surgical intervention.