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Clinical evaluation of a new hearing aid anti-cardioid directivity pattern.

Clinical evaluation of a new hearing aid anti-cardioid directivity pattern.

Authors :
Mueller HG
Weber J
Bellanova M
Source :
International journal of audiology [Int J Audiol] 2011 Apr; Vol. 50 (4), pp. 249-54. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Jan 27.
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this research was to evaluate a new directional hearing aid algorithm which automatically adapts to an anti-cardioid pattern in background noise when a speech signal originates from behind the hearing aid user.<br />Design: Using the hearing-in-noise-test (HINT) in the soundfield, with the sentences delivered adaptively from the back (180°) and the standard HINT competing noise from the front (0°; 72 dB SPL), the participants were tested for three different hearing aid conditions: omnidirectional, conventional adaptive directional, and adaptive directional with the anti-cardioid algorithm enabled.<br />Study Sample: Adults (n = 21) with bilaterally symmetrical downward sloping sensorineural hearing loss; experienced hearing aid users and aided bilaterally for experimental testing.<br />Results: Results revealed a significant effect for the hearing aid microphone setting (p < .0001), with a HINT mean RTS of 4.2 dB for conventional adaptive directional, -0.1 dB for omnidirectional, and -5.7 dB when the anti-cardioid algorithm was active. This was a large effect size (Cohen's f2).<br />Conclusion: The findings suggest that the signal classification system steered the algorithm correctly, and that when implemented, the anti-cardioid polar pattern resulted in an improvement in speech recognition in background noise for this listening situation.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1708-8186
Volume :
50
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
International journal of audiology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
21271803
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2010.547992