Use of frequency compression in severe-profound hearing loss adults
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do severe-profound hearing-impaired adults perform better in speech perception with frequency compression switched on or off or fitted to hearing loss?
IRAS ID
167942
Contact name
Diveen Nanda
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
"Data Protection Registration", Z6364106/2015/02/83
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Introduction:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the functional benefits of frequency compression (FC) vs no FC or fitted to hearing loss in severe-profound hearing impaired adults with high frequency hearing losses. Thus, assessing whether hearing aids for this patient population can be adapted to improve speech perception. FC is a feature available on some digital hearing aids, which is aimed at increasing the audibility of high-frequency sounds. It works by taking sounds above a fixed start frequency and compresses it into lower frequencies where residual hearing is better.Design and Methodology:
The study will require approximately 24 voluntary adult participants (over age of 18 years), with bilateral severe-profound hearing impairment. Participants must satisfy the inclusion criteria. The primary sample population will be Audiology patients from Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust. These will be pre-existing hearing aid patients or patients newly referred by the GP/ENT or other health care professional.Over a two month period three visits to Guy's Hospital is required- hearing assessment, hearing aid fitting and follow-up. At the initial visit a brief patient history will be taken to ensure the participant fulfils all aspects of the inclusion criteria. Otoscopic examination will be carried out to ensure inclusion criteria is satisfied and there are no contra-indications for testing. Participants will be assessed using Pure tone audiometry (250Hz-8kHz)- a subjective test measuring a persons level of hearing. Impressions of the ears will be taken for earmoulds (if required).
At the second visit participants will undergo a Threshold Equalising Noise (TEN) test, a psychophysical test for identification of hearing loss cut-off. This test is widely used within clinical settings. Participants will be randomly separated into three equal size groups,all will receive the Phonak Naida Spice hearing aids which are used clinically and will be assessed in one of the three following conditions (i) without activation of frequency compression feature, (ii) with activation according to software settings or (iii) with activation according to hearing loss cut-off.
At the follow-up , two speech tests will be conducted Chear Auditory Perception Test (monosyllabic speech test in quiet) and Bamfort-Kowal-Bench (BKB) Sentence Test in noise with the hearing aids on. These tests will assess speech perception for hearing aid validation purposes. At the end of testing FC settings can be adjusted and the hearing aids fine tuned further if necessary to ensure participant satisfaction.
Implications: Results from this study may assist in refining clinical practice at Guys & St Thomas’ Hospital for patients with severe-profound hearing impairment. It will help to verify candidacy decisions in the use of frequency lowering in those with severe-profound hearing impairment.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0613
Date of REC Opinion
26 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion