Evaluation of nonlinear frequency compression: Clinical outcomes

Authors

Danielle Glista, The University of Western OntarioFollow
Susan Scollie, The University of Western OntarioFollow
Marlene Bagatto, The University of Western OntarioFollow
Richard Seewald, The University of Western Ontario
Vijay Parsa, The University of Western OntarioFollow
Andrew Johnson, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-4-2009

Journal

International Journal of Audiology

Volume

48

Issue

9

First Page

632

Last Page

644

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1080/14992020902971349

Abstract

This study evaluated prototype multichannel nonlinear frequency compression (NFC) signal processing on listeners with high-frequency hearing loss. This signal processor applies NFC above a cut-off frequency. The participants were hearing-impaired adults (13) and children (11) with sloping, high-frequency hearing loss. Multiple outcome measures were repeated using a modified withdrawal design. These included speech sound detection, speech recognition, and self-reported preference measures. Group level results provide evidence of significant improvement of consonant and plural recognition when NFC was enabled. Vowel recognition did not change significantly. Analysis of individual results allowed for exploration of individual factors contributing to benefit received from NFC processing. Findings suggest that NFC processing can improve high frequency speech detection and speech recognition ability for adult and child listeners. Variability in individual outcomes related to factors such as degree and configuration of hearing loss, age of participant, and type of outcome measure. © 2009 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved.