Optimising Hearing Aid Provision With Respect To Voice Perception
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimising Hearing Aid Provision With Respect To Patients' Voice Perception
IRAS ID
189641
Contact name
Shueh Lim
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Hearing loss affects approximately 18% of adult population, with 20% being rehabilitated by hearing aid provision. When individuals start wearing their hearing aids they find that they take some time to become accustomed to their ‘new hearing’. In some cases it may stop them using their hearing aids. It is perceived by patient report that one of the single most significant issues is patient’s perception of the quality of their voice. To date there has been little evaluation of this phenomenon. A patient report questionnaire, Own Voice Qualities (OVQ), has been used in a study but doesn’t address certain aspects of voice quality. The Voice Symptom Score (VoiSS) is a patient report questionnaire specifically derived to assess voice related quality of life issues.
The aim of this research is to assess patients’ perception of voice in relation to hearing loss and the effect on voice perception in relation to hearing loss rehabilitation by hearing aid provision.
Patients referred with hearing loss related to inner ear will be asked to complete VoiSS questionnaire. Patients who fulfill the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate. Patients being assessed for hearing aid provision will be asked to complete VoiSS questionnaire at their initial visit. On their next visit for ‘fitting’ of their hearing aid, they will be asked to complete a second VoiSS questionnaire. Three further VoiSS questionnaires will be aimed to be completed at week 4, 8 and 12.
We expect the initial VoiSS score to be high due to voice issues, as a result of patient’s hearing impairment. Over a period of time, we expect a reduction in VoiSS score as patients adapt to the normal voice perception with aiding. The knowledge derived from this study will be used to inform similar patients as to the likely timescale to achieve normal voice recognition.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1669
Date of REC Opinion
2 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion