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Abstract
ISP uses a coordinated and concerted approach to signal processing so that wearer and environmental information, along with the intermediate results of each processing unit, are shared among other signal processing units in order to achieve the best sound quality and intelligibility.
Special concerns have been given to improve speech intelligibility in hearing impaired children. A great number of clinical studies have been conducted in an attempt to quantify the effectiveness of modern HA features in improving speech intelligibility. This issue was thoroughly investigated in the present study. The aim of this work was to evaluate the benefits of integrated digital HAs on the Arabic-speaking children.
Eighteen Egyptian children with bilateral moderate to severe sensory-neural hearing loss were included. Their ages ranged between 5.5 and 12.5 years. They were using binaural digital HAs for at least 6 months regularly. Equipment used in this study were double walled sound treated booth, two channel Audiometer, Immittancemeter, 2 BTE integrated hearing aids (Widex model Flash 19) with multi-directional dynamic feedback cancellation, adaptive EDRC, fully adaptive directional microphone and classic noise reduction algorithms and cassette tapes for speech recognition tests for sentences, word, vowel and consonant perception for children (Soliman et al., 1985; Soliman et al., 1995; El Kholi et al., 1997 and El Kholi, 2001).
The study was conducted as follows: pre-fitting, integrated digital HA fitting and post-fitting evaluation sessions. In the pre-fitting evaluation session, children were submitted to full history taking, basic audiological evaluation, aided sound field hearing threshold, speech recognition in noise tests and WILSI questionnaire using the child’s digital HAs. In the integrated HA fitting evaluation session, two integrated HAs Widex Flash 19 were fitted to the child and aided sound field hearing threshold was done. In the post-fitting evaluation sessions, aided sound field hearing threshold, speech recognition in noise test and WILSI questionnaire were repeated after 1, 3 and 6 months post fitting with integrated HAs. Results showed significant improvement in aided sound field hearing threshold levels and speech recognition in noise tests using children’ integrated hearing aids were reported. Also, parents reported better performance in the different listening situation on WILSI questionnaire analysis.
In conclusion, results of the present study support the use of integrated HAs in children with moderate to severe hearing loss. It is recommended to apply this technology on young children as early as possible so as to get the maximum attainable benefit and make use of their brain plasticity which allows quick acclimatization and adaptation. It is also recommended to extend this study on a larger group of children with varying degrees of hearing loss.