International Journal of Audiology最新文献

Objective: The ability to discriminate natural soundscapes recorded in a temperate terrestrial biome was measured in 15 hearing-impaired (HI) listeners with bilateral, mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss and 15 normal-hearing (NH) controls.

Design: Soundscape discrimination was measured using a three-interval oddity paradigm and the method of constant stimuli. On each trial, sequences of 2-second recordings varying the habitat, season and period of the day were presented diotically at a nominal SPL of 60 or 80 dB.

Results: Discrimination scores were above chance level for both groups, but they were poorer for HI than NH listeners. On average, the scores of HI listeners were relatively well accounted for by those of NH listeners tested with stimuli spectrally-shaped to match the frequency-dependent reduction in audibility of individual HI listeners. However, the scores of HI listeners were not significantly correlated with pure-tone audiometric thresholds and age.

Conclusions: These results indicate that the ability to discriminate natural soundscapes associated with changes in habitat, season and period of the day is disrupted but it is not abolished. The deficits of the HI listeners are partly accounted for by reduced audibility. Supra-threshold auditory deficits and individual listening strategies may also explain differences between NH and HI listeners.

Objective: Up to 10% of adults seeking hearing healthcare for significant hearing concerns have diagnostic test results that indicate normal hearing. Knowledge of the interactions between patients with unexplained hearing concerns and hearing healthcare providers is minimal. In this study, we explored what themes emerged when individuals with unexplained hearing concerns discuss their experiences seeking hearing healthcare.

Design: We employed a prospective, cross-sectional qualitative design with semi-structured interviews.

Study sample: Fifteen adults who had sought professional hearing evaluations in the United States due to hearing concerns but had audiological testing that indicated hearing within normal limits, and no other medical explanation for their hearing concerns participated in the study. Saturation of themes was reached by Interview #2, suggesting sufficient sampling.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed 3 themes from the interviews: (1) dismissive healthcare providers, (2) misalignment of patient concerns and assessment protocols, and (3) doctor shopping.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for improved care for patients with unexplained hearing concerns. Clinicians could help improve care provision for patients with unexplained hearing concerns, despite a lack of professional guidance on diagnostic tests or treatment recommendations, by soliciting, listening to, and trusting patient experiences as they seek support for their hearing concerns.

Objective: To evaluate the Québec Audiological Assessment Protocol for Younger and Older Adults (QAAP-YOA) and its accompanying clinical tool efficacy to assess the needs of individuals with hearing loss in a simulated context. This study is the Phase 2 in the development of the QAAP-YOA.

Design: Participants completed two needs assessments with simulated clients and wrote audiological reports, while applying the QAAP-YOA with and without the use of its clinical tool. Interviews were filmed, and reports collected. Both were scored by two independent evaluators. A qualitative analysis of reports was also conducted.

Study sample: Eleven audiology students and four early-career audiologists (n = 15).

Results: The clinical tool did not influence the interview process since both experimental conditions had similar compliance rates to the protocol (p = 0.114). Compliance rates for assessment reports were higher with the clinical tool (p < 0.001). Participants' conclusions after applying the QAAP-YOA were consistent across participants. The information provided in the reports was more comprehensive and coherent with the client's needs when participants used the clinical tool.

Conclusions: The QAAP-YOA can lead to a greater standardisation of needs assessments and to more comprehensive reports, which may lead to intervention programs more closely aligned with clients' needs.

Objective: Hearing loss in the older adult population is a significant global health issue. Hearing aids can provide an effective means to address hearing loss and improve quality of life. Despite this, the uptake and continued use of hearing aids is low, with non-use of hearing aids representing a significant problem for effective audiological rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to investigate the reasons for the non-use of hearing aids.

Design and study sample: A cross-sectional survey was used to investigate the reasons given for the non-use of hearing aids by people with hearing loss (n = 332) and family members (n = 313) of people with hearing loss in Australia, the UK, and USA.

Results: Survey results showed that hearing aid non-users generally cited external factors as reasons for non-use, whereas family members reported non-use due to attitudinal barriers. Past users of hearing aids and family members of past users both identified devices factors as barriers to use.

Conclusions: Differences in reasons for non-use may provide further insight for researchers and clinicians and help inform future clinical practice in addressing the low uptake and use of hearing aids by people with hearing loss and the role of family members in audiological rehabilitation.

Objective: To investigate the effects of previous occupational noise exposure in older adults with hearing loss on (1) audiometric configuration and acoustic reflex (AR) thresholds and (2) self-reported hearing abilities and hearing aid (HA) effectiveness.

Design: A prospective observational study.

Study sample: The study included 1176 adults (≥60 years) with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Pure-tone audiometry, AR thresholds, and responses to the abbreviated version of the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12) and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaire were obtained, along with information about previous occupational noise exposure.

Results: Greater occupational noise exposure was associated with a higher prevalence of steeply sloping audiograms in men and women and a 0.32 (95% CI: -0.57; -0.06) scale points lower mean SSQ12 total score among noise-exposed men. AR thresholds did not show a significant relation to noise-exposure status, but hearing thresholds at a given frequency were related to elevated AR thresholds at the same frequency.

Conclusions: A noise exposure history is linked to steeper audiograms in older adults with hearing loss as well as to poorer self-reported hearing abilities in noise-exposed men. More attention to older adults with previous noise exposure is warranted in hearing rehabilitation.

Objectives: Tinnitus is a phantom sound sensation without an external sound source. Due to its subjective and multifaceted nature it is measured using multi-item self-reported instruments. Many well-validated tinnitus-related questionnaires are available for clinical practice and scientific research, but so far no attention has been paid to their measurement invariance. The study aimed to examine measurement invariance of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory with regard to gender and hearing impairment, and to identify the items that show differential item functioning (DIF) across the groups.

Design: This is a retrospective study using medical data from patients with tinnitus. They completed the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and underwent pure-tone audiometry.

Study sample: 1106 adult patients with tinnitus (554 women and 552 men; 320 with normal hearing and 786 with hearing loss), aged 19-84 years.

Results: In the analysis, multi-group confirmatory factor analysis, hybrid ordinal logistic regression, Kernel smoothing in Item Response Theory, and lasso regression were applied. Measurement invariance was demonstrated across gender, but across hearing status the measurement was non-invariant. Five items were found to have DIF.

Conclusions: Researchers and clinicians should be aware of the potential risk of response bias when tinnitus severity is evaluated.

Objective: With our aging population, an increasing number of older adults with hearing loss have cognitive decline. Hearing care practitioners have an important role in supporting healthy aging and should be knowledgeable about cognitive decline and associated management strategies to maximize successful hearing intervention.

Methods: A review of current research and expert opinion.

Results: This article outlines the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline/dementia, hypothesized mechanisms underlying this, and considers current research into the effects of hearing intervention on cognitive decline. Cognition into old age, cognitive impairment, dementia, and how to recognize cognitive decline that is not part of normal aging are described. Screening of older asymptomatic adults for cognitive decline and practical suggestions for the delivery of person-centered hearing care are discussed. Holistic management goals, personhood, and person-centered care in hearing care management are considered for older adults with normal cognitive aging through to dementia. A case study illustrates important skills and potential management methods. Prevention strategies for managing hearing and cognitive health and function through to older age, and strategies to maximize successful hearing aid use are provided.

Conclusion: This article provides evidence-based recommendations for hearing care professionals supporting older clients to maximize well-being through the cognitive trajectory.

Objective - To study the correlation between P1 latency and the results of clinical language tests (Reynell III and TROG-2), the latter were used as they are recommended for follow-up assessments of children with cochlear implants (Cis) by the Swedish National Quality Register for children with hearing impairment.Design - A clinical cohort study.Study sample - Cross-sectional and consecutive sampling of 49 children with CIs coming for clinical follow-up assessment from March 2017 - December 2019.Results - For all children tested, there was a significant negative correlation (Spearman's rho= -0.403, p = 0.011) between hearing age and P1 latency. A significant correlation between P1 latency and the Reynell III result (Spearman's rho =  -0.810, p = 0.015) was found. In the TROG-2 group, there was no significant correlation between their P1 latency and their language test results (Spearman's rho -0.239, p = 0.196).Conclusion - This method seems to be feasible and easily accepted. The study was conducted in a heterogeneous group of children that we meet daily in our clinic. The results indicated that P1 latency has a negative correlation with language development among our youngest patients fitted with CIs and might be a clinical tool to assess the maturation of central auditory pathways.

Objective: This scoping review aimed to identify knowledge gaps in relation to access to, and outcomes from, hearing care services for adults in Malaysia.

Design: Scoping review.

Study sample: 1261 studies from 4 databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and Scopus) and 7 studies from grey literature were identified. After removing duplicates, 647 studies were screened for title and/or abstract, and five studies met the criteria and were included.

Results: Audiologists reported offering a range of diagnostic assessment and rehabilitation services, including hearing aids, assistive listening devices, auditory training, and counselling. However, the uptake of hearing services was low; rates of hearing aid use among people with at least mild hearing loss were around 2.7%-4.4%; 6.5%-7.3% for those with at least moderate loss. There were no data on the outcomes from hearing services.

Conclusions: This scoping review highlighted the limited uptake of hearing services among adults in Malaysia, despite the existence of services. Furthermore, it revealed a lack of information about the factors contributing to this limited uptake. To address the burden of hearing loss, there is an urgent need to identify barriers to access, improve access and uptake, and evaluate the benefits of adult hearing services in Malaysia.

Objective: To describe the application of the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to the development of a family-centred intervention for families of children with hearing loss transitioning into early intervention.

Design: The BCW was used in a mixed methods design to understand the gaps in family-centred service provision and to identify appropriate intervention functions and implementation options to address these gaps.

Study sample: Families and health professionals participated in different steps of the BCW.

Results: The qualitative interviews revealed that families required individualised information and support. The quantitative and interview data suggested inconsistencies in the provision of information and support to some families. It was determined that administration of a needs assessment by the support professionals was the most appropriate target behaviour to address this issue. In the analysis of the professionals' capabilities, opportunities, and motivations for administration of a needs assessment, a resource limitation was identified, and therefore, a Minimum Data Set for a Needs Assessment Tool was developed to facilitate the assessment of families' needs during the transition period.

Conclusions: This study provided an example of how the BCW could be successfully applied to the design of a family-centred intervention for families of children with hearing loss.