In a recent study out of Vanderbilt University, Dr. Ben Hornsby reports on data from a study of listening fatigue. This publication is particularly interesting as it is one of the first to systematically probe listening fatigue under controlled laboratory conditions using modern techniques associated with effortful listening.
http://buff.ly/ZDmtnJ
The current issue of Seminars in Hearing is focused on the topic of individual variability in aided outcomes. Those working in hearing care, both clinical and research, can attest to the fact that individual variability is an inherent component of our daily routine. The example of two patients with identical diagnostics but widely varying hearing aid outcomes is one that characterizes many hearing aid fittings.
As guest editor for the issue I was excited to select this topic and recruit a talented group of authors. These authors are well respected researchers in a variety of areas related to hearing aid outcomes; each brings a unique insight to the topic of individual variability.
Table of Contents
Preface: Individual Variability in Aided Outcomes: Galster, J. Read
Individual differences research and hearing aid outcomes: Humes, L.
Individual variability of hearing-impaired consonant perception: Trevino, A. & Allen, J.
Individual variability in recognition of frequency-lowered speech: Alexander, J.
Individual variability in benefit from fixed and adaptive directional microphones: Galster, J. & Rodemerk, K. Read
Individual variability in unaided and aided measurement of the acceptable noise level: Eddins, D, Arnold, M., Klein, A., & Ellison, J.
Will my patient benefit from audiologic rehabilitation? The role of individual differences in outcomes: Abrams, H. & Chisolm, T.
Posted in Hearing, Personal, Technology
Tagged galster, hearing aids, jason galster, research
Welcome spring with an article on the value of real ear measurement. This month we reviewed an article from Dr. Harvey Abrams and colleagues in which they showed that a patients fit to verified prescriptive targets report significantly superior outcomes to those that are left at the first-fit settings.
Posted in Hearing, Technology
Tagged audiology, galster, hearing, hearing aids, jason galster
For this review we picked from our Top 5 articles in 2012. The authors (Stiles, Bentler, and McGregor) investigated predictive relationships between high-frequency hearing loss, aided audibility, and the lexical ability of school-age children.
The Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) is a new and well validated questionnaire for evaluating tinnitus. If you work with tinnitus patients you should take a close look at the TFI. The source article just won Ear & Hearing’s editor’s award and happens to be this month’s review article. Enjoy.
For those of you who would like to use the TFI. It is now available on a website hosted by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). OHSU owns the copyright to the TFI and permission is required by OHSU to use the TFI. The request form takes 3 minutes to complete and allows you access to the TFI form and instructions. You will be able to use the TFI with no fee.
TFI Application
2012 was an impressive year for scientific publication in audiology research and hearing aids. Narrowing the selection to 15 or 20 articles was much easier than selecting 5 articles from that respectable ensemble. After some thought and discussion with several colleagues, here are the top 5 articles published in 2012!
Posted in Hearing, Internet, Technology
Tagged audiology, galster, hearing aids, hearing research, hearing science, jason galster, research
This month continues our theme of outcome measures with a review of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Did you know the THI is a quick and reliable way to measure the outcomes of tinnitus treatment? There aren’t many outcome measures that are as easy to interpret as the THI.
Several submissions were printed over the last few months. These span topics from remote hearing aid programming to the prescription of hearing aids in cases of cochlear dead regions.
Posted in Hearing, Internet, Personal
Tagged galster, hearing, hearing aids, jason galster, research
Today’s update is the first in a series discussing outcome measures. Dr. Stevens and I decided to start with a review of the SSQ, one of Stuart Gatehouse’s many contributions to audiology. Next month we will review the new Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI).
Gatehouse, S. & Noble, W. (2004). The speech, spatial and qualities of hearing scale (SSQ). International Journal of Audiology, 43, 85-99.
Posted in Hearing
Tagged galster, hearing aids, hearing loss, jason galster, research
Here’s a quick summary on the benefits of bilateral hearing aid use. This is the last in the series on bilateral vs. unilateral hearing aids. The next series will focus on outcome measures, ranging from tried and true with the SSQ to new and spry with the TFI.
Mencher, G.T. & Davis, A. (2006). Bilateral of unilateral amplification: is there a difference? A brief tutorial.International Journal of Audiology 45 (S1), S3-11.
Posted in Hearing, Technology
Tagged auditory, galster, hearing, hearing aids, hearing research, hearing science, jason galster
