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- Title
Enhancement of Speech Intelligibility in Digital Hearing Aids Using Directional Microphone/Noise Reduction Algorithm.
- Authors
Tawfik, Somia; El Danasoury, Iman M. Sadek; AbuMoussa, Hoda; Naguib, Mai Fathy Naguib Fouad
- Abstract
Objective: We aims to detect the efficacy of directional microphone when combined with noise reduction algorithm in improving speech intelligibility in noisy environments for hearing impaired subjects. Materials and Methods: Twenty adult subjects with bilateral symmetrical sensory neural hearing loss of moderate to moderately severe degree were examined. Aided assessment was done in two settings using BTE digital hearing aid. First setting included: evaluation using noise reduction algorithm alone. Evaluation in the second setting was done using both noise reduction algorithm and directional microphone. Aided evaluation consisted of speech discrimination scores in quiet and speech in noise test in different noise scenarios. Just follow conversation test was done to detect the least signal to noise ratio a subject can tolerate in each of the two settings. The subjective impression of the patient was assessed by a modified questionnaire for hearing aid assessment. Results: Investigation showed statistically significant improvement of aided speech discrimination scores in noise in the second aided setting when speech was at zero degree azimuths and noise was at zero and 180 degrees azimuth. Conclusion: Directional microphone when combined with noise reduction algorithm in a digital hearing aid, adds benefit in improving speech intelligibility for patients with moderately-severe sensory neural hearing loss whatever the duration of the hearing loss.
- Subjects
MICROPHONES -- Design &; construction; HEARING aid design &; construction; INTELLIGIBILITY of speech; NOISE control; DEAFNESS; AZIMUTH
- Publication
Journal of International Advanced Otology, 2010, Vol 6, Issue 1, p74
- ISSN
1308-7649
- Publication type
Article