Abstract: There are numerous wireless assistive listening technologies available which help to effectively improve the SNR for the patient. It is important for clinicians to not only understand the relative efficacy of these systems, but also factors that impact their patients’ awareness and utilization of these systems. We conducted a series of experiments comparing the standard hearing aid microphone configuration to wirelessly delivered audio, among BTE and CIC hearing aid users. We conducted lab-based speech recognition tests and ran a field trial that culminated in a simulated movie theater/auditorium listening experience for user-behavior observation.
Summary: There are numerous wireless assistive listening technologies available that help to effectively improve the SNR for the patient. Hearing aids and cochlear implants can be wirelessly connected to remote microphones using various types of wireless technologies, including infrared systems, FM systems, 2.4GHz wireless protocols, and induction hearing loops via a telecoil setting. It is important for clinicians to not only understand the realistic and relative efficacy of these systems, but also the factors that impact their patients’ awareness and utilization of these systems.
We conducted a series of experiments comparing the participants speech recognition performance with standard hearing aid microphone configuration and wirelessly delivered audio, among two diverse patient groups: behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid users (n=14) and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid users (n=14).
In addition, we conducted a field trial of hearing aids that concluded with a simulated movie theater and auditorium listening experience. At the time of initial hearing aid fittings, a subset of the participants was provided with an orientation and demonstration of the hearing loop and telecoil functionality. When the participants (n=28) returned, two months later, for the simulated movie theater and auditorium visit, we made observations of which participants utilized their hearing loop hearing aid setting. We also probed the participants regarding the presence or absence of hearing accessibility signage at the entrance to the auditorium used for the simulation.
During the simulated movie theater and auditorium listening experience, participants (n=28) also provided subjective rating comparisons of the standard hearing aid microphone configuration and a hearing loop setting. For these comparisons, BTE hearing aid users (n=14) utilized the embedded telecoil of the hearing aids, while the CIC hearing aid users (n=14) accessed the hearing loop with an external telecoil included in a multifunction, wireless hearing aid accessory. The participants rated each of the listening modes for different types of audio.
These experiments confirmed that the use of remote microphones and hearing loops each significantly improved distant speech recognition in noise when compared to hearing aids alone. Participants from both experimental groups strongly preferred the telecoil function in combination with a hearing loop over listening with the standard hearing aid microphone setting for various types of audio, even in an auditorium with professional sound design. These observations validate the recommendation of assistive listening systems for hearing aids, even for individuals with more mild degrees of hearing loss.
The studies also found that even brief in-office demonstrations and counseling regarding the use of HATs with hearing aids appeared to have improved participant awareness and information retention, but greater exposure to comparative listening experiences may be necessary to motivate routine use. These results underscore the importance of counseling and in-office demonstrations of how to utilize these systems with hearing aids. Encouraging patients to make their own paired-comparison evaluations, in realistic scenarios, may improve the perceived benefit of using HATs and lead to lasting behavior changes.
Learning Objectives:
Describe how hearing aid users perceive and benefit from various types of assistive listening technology.
List barriers to patient uptake of hearing assistive technology.
Describe how clinician involvement has been shown to improve patient awareness and information retention regarding hearing assistive technology.
