{"title":"Declining hearing and the overlooked importance of background sounds.","authors":"William Noble","doi":"10.1080/14992027.2025.2564160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2025.2564160","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13759,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Audiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Calibration offset estimation in mobile hearing tests via categorical loudness scaling.","authors":"Chen Xu, Birger Kollmeier","doi":"10.1080/14992027.2026.2663342","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2026.2663342","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To enable reliable smartphone-based hearing assessments by developing methods to estimate device calibration offsets using categorical loudness scaling (CLS).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Calibration offsets were simulated from a Gaussian distribution. Two prediction models-a Bayesian regression model and a nearest neighbour model-were trained on CLS-derived parameters and data from the Oldenburg Hearing Health Record (OHHR). CLS was chosen because it provides level-independent measures (e.g., dynamic range) that remain robust despite calibration errors.</p><p><strong>Study sample: </strong>The dataset comprised CLS results from N = 847 participants with a mean age of 70.0 years (SD = 8.7), including 556 male and 291 female listeners with diverse hearing profiles.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Bayesian regression model achieved median absolute errors (MAEs) of about 5 dB between the estimated and \"true\" calibration offsets. Calibration uncertainty was reduced by factors between 0.41 and 0.79, demonstrating greater robustness in uncontrolled environments.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CLS-based models show potential to compensate for missing calibration in our simulation study, but validation using uncalibrated mobile-device listening tests with real listeners is still needed. This approach provides a practical alternative to threshold-based methods, supporting the use of smartphone-based tests outside laboratory settings and expanding access to reliable hearing healthcare in everyday and resource-limited contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":13759,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Audiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837574","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F H Schmidt, T Hocke, E Kortenbruck, W Großmann, R Mlynski, L Zhang
{"title":"Beyond the audiogram: tone decay as audiological marker for disproportional loss of speech intelligibility.","authors":"F H Schmidt, T Hocke, E Kortenbruck, W Großmann, R Mlynski, L Zhang","doi":"10.1080/14992027.2026.2661713","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2026.2661713","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>A considerable portion of hearing-impaired patients show disproportional loss in speech intelligibility with respect to their pure tone audiogram. This study investigated the relationship between tone decay (TD) and unaided or aided word recognition scores (WRS).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A prospective observational study.</p><p><strong>Study sample: </strong>Fifty-one participants with sensorineural hearing loss of less than 80 dB HL or a maximum WRS of at least 5% were included. All participants were using hearing aids.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two-thirds of the participants exhibited a TD of at least 10 dB. In this subpopulation, the additional loss of audibility caused by TD reached up to 21 dB in the main speech frequency range. The maximum TD - assessed between 0.5 and 4 kHz - explained up to 18% of the variability in aided WRSs.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In cases of disproportionately high loss of speech intelligibility, the TD test (TDT) provides a tangible audiological marker that complements pure-tone audiometry and WRS measurements. It may influence therapeutic decision-making in the management of hearing loss, as TD limits WRS. The additional assessment of TD has the potential to enhance our understanding of the diverse aetiologies underlying hearing impairment, thereby supporting the development of more targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":13759,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Audiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147814037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nir Tsur, Tamir Lotan, Ido Arbel, Dean Dudkiewicz, Saja Assi, Eden Shenfeld Nasri, Adi Shoshani, Ohad Hilly
{"title":"Extended high-frequency audiometry in battlefield acoustic trauma: diagnostic value and steroid treatment outcomes.","authors":"Nir Tsur, Tamir Lotan, Ido Arbel, Dean Dudkiewicz, Saja Assi, Eden Shenfeld Nasri, Adi Shoshani, Ohad Hilly","doi":"10.1080/14992027.2026.2666356","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2026.2666356","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the diagnostic utility of extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA) and the efficacy of steroid therapy in acute acoustic trauma (AAT) during armed conflict.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Retrospective cohort study at Rabin Medical Centre, Petach Tikva, Israel, October 2023-June 2024.</p><p><strong>Study sample: </strong>182 active-duty military personnel diagnosed with AAT, categorised into steroid-treated (<i>n =</i> 52) and non-treated (<i>n =</i> 130) groups. A paired cohort of 51 patients with complete baseline and follow-up audiometry was used for threshold change analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>EHFA detected high-frequency hearing loss not apparent on standard audiometry; 25% of steroid-treated patients had normal conventional audiograms but demonstrated deficits on EHFA. Both groups showed significant within-group improvement at standard and high frequencies. Between-group comparisons revealed no significant differences across all bands (all <i>p ></i> 0.05, BH adjusted). After covariate adjustment, the non-treated group showed significantly greater high-frequency recovery (9.8 dB, <i>p =</i> 0.042). No significant improvement was observed at EHF (10-18 kHz) in either group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>EHFA effectively detects high-frequency cochlear injury missed by conventional audiometry. While unadjusted recovery was comparable between groups, adjusted analyses suggest steroids may not confer additional benefit beyond natural recovery at high frequencies. Given the non-randomised design, these findings are hypothesis-generating and steroid therapy should be considered selectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":13759,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Audiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147814329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmad Rasouli, Vida Rahimi, Farzaneh Fatahi, Maryam Zaree, Hashir Aazh
{"title":"A comparison of misophonia proportion and patterns of uncomfortable loudness levels between individuals with and without hyperacusis reporting sensitivity to environmental sounds.","authors":"Ahmad Rasouli, Vida Rahimi, Farzaneh Fatahi, Maryam Zaree, Hashir Aazh","doi":"10.1080/14992027.2026.2642751","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2026.2642751","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare audiological characteristics and misophonia symptoms proportion in young adults with normal hearing and self-reported sound sensitivity (without tinnitus), classified as having hyperacusis status.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Cross-sectional study. Participants classified as having hyperacusis (ULLmin ≤77 dB HL) or non-hyperacusis (>77 dB HL). Misophonia symptoms were identified using screening thresholds: Sound Sensitivity Symptoms Questionnaire item 4 (SSSQ4 ≥ 2) or Misophonia Questionnaire-Misophonia Severity Scale (MQ-MSS ≥7). Audiological variables included ULLmin (uncomfortable loudness level minimum), slopes, asymmetry, and repetition differences.</p><p><strong>Study sample: </strong>153 participants (19-31 years), recruited via social media.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>31.4% met the hyperacusis criterion. The hyperacusis group showed lower ULLmin, steeper ULL slopes, and higher HQ, SSSQ, and MQ scores (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.002). Misophonia was more prevalent in the hyperacusis group (52.1% vs. 32.4%, <i>p</i> = 0.020). Multivariable analysis showed that hyperacusis was the strongest predictor of misophonia, with ULLmin and slope contributing.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Many individuals reporting sound sensitivity did not meet objective criteria for hyperacusis, underscoring the value of measures such as ULLmin. The higher prevalence of misophonia symptoms in hyperacusis and their shared audiological correlates suggest substantial overlap between decreased sound tolerance subtypes. These findings support integrated audiological-psychometric assessment and highlight the need for longitudinal and neuroimaging studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":13759,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Audiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dynamic postural control in Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder: a Computerised Dynamic Posturography study.","authors":"Pradeep Yuvaraj, Rahina Abubacker, Chethan Kallahalli, Aravind Kumar Rajasekaran","doi":"10.1080/14992027.2026.2660205","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2026.2660205","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate postural control and sensory integration in individuals with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) using Computerised Dynamic Posturography (CDP), and to compare their performance with age- and gender-matched Healthy Subjects (HS).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Cross-sectional comparative study employing CDP-based assessments including the Sensory Organisation Test (SOT), Motor Control Test (MCT), Adaptation Test (ADT), Optokinetic (OKN) Test, and Fall Risk Evaluation.</p><p><strong>Study sample: </strong>Twenty-two adults with clinically confirmed ANSD and twenty-two age- and gender-matched HS participated in the study. All underwent standard audiological evaluations and CDP under controlled laboratory conditions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The ANSD group showed significantly lower equilibrium scores across all SOT conditions and elevated sway indices in the Fall Risk test, indicating impaired sensory integration and higher postural instability. They also demonstrated reduced adaptation in ADT and diminished amplitude scaling during backward translations in MCT. The ANSD group exhibited greater sway during OKN stimulation, suggesting abnormal visual-vestibular integration. Correlation analyses revealed strong associations between increased visual dependency and reduced equilibrium scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Individuals with ANSD exhibit marked deficits in postural stability and multisensory integration. These findings underscore ANSD as an audio-vestibular neuropathy and highlight the utility of CDP in detecting subclinical balance dysfunction and guiding rehabilitation.</p>","PeriodicalId":13759,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Audiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S Bouzaïd, I Rouillon, P Avan, S Marlin, M Parodi, E Fabiano, M Serey-Gault, N Loundon
{"title":"Transient disappearance of otoacoustic emissions after conventional hearing aid use in OTOF-related auditory neuropathy.","authors":"S Bouzaïd, I Rouillon, P Avan, S Marlin, M Parodi, E Fabiano, M Serey-Gault, N Loundon","doi":"10.1080/14992027.2026.2650503","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2026.2650503","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) associated with OTOF mutations is typically characterised by prelingual hearing loss (HL), absent auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), and preserved otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). However, the long-term stability of OAEs and mechanisms underlying their decline remain poorly understood. Hearing aid (HA) use may influence outer hair cell (OHC) function and OAE responses.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>We report longitudinal audiological findings in two children with genetically confirmed OTOF-related HL. Hearing thresholds, ABRs, HA fitting parameters, and OAE evolution were analysed. A literature review assessed longitudinal OAE outcomes in OTOF-related ANSD.</p><p><strong>Study sample: </strong>Two children with biallelic OTOF mutations and profound HL.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>OAEs disappeared 6-12 weeks after HA fitting in both cases. Following HA discontinuation, OAEs re-emerged within 4-6 weeks, with incomplete recovery in one patient. Previous studies similarly describe progressive OAE decline in some children with OTOF-related ANSD.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The reversible OAE loss observed after amplification raises concerns regarding possible cochlear overstimulation. These findings highlight the need for cautious HA strategies and close monitoring. Preserving cochlear integrity is especially relevant in view of emerging gene-based therapies that may require functional inner and outer ear structures. In selected cases, delaying or adapting amplification could be considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":13759,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Audiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julia Sarant, Emma Kiley, Evelyn Sloan, Barbra Timmer, Sanne Peters
{"title":"Investigating barriers and enablers to hearing aid take-up and use by older adults with hearing loss - a focus group study.","authors":"Julia Sarant, Emma Kiley, Evelyn Sloan, Barbra Timmer, Sanne Peters","doi":"10.1080/14992027.2026.2643448","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2026.2643448","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Untreated hearing loss is associated with significant negative physical, psychological, cognitive, and financial sequelae. Hearing aid (HA) take-up and use are low. Current studies have explained limited variance in HA take-up and use. This focus group study used an applied theoretical framework of human behaviour (Theoretical Domains Framework) to investigate barriers and enablers to HA take-up and use by older adults to identify top potentially modifiable barriers and enablers that could be addressed with behavioural interventions.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Data on barriers and enablers to HA take-up and use was obtained through online focus groups with older adults with hearing loss.</p><p><strong>Study samples: </strong>Participants were 19 adult HA users and 12 non-users in Australia with diagnosed hearing loss recruited from two rural and one large metropolitan audiology clinic/s.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The perceived effectiveness of HAs, the influence of others, the ability to adapt to HAs, the relative importance of hearing loss, and the perceived need for HAs were all identified as both top potentially modifiable barriers <i>and</i> enablers to HA take-up and use.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These top barriers and enablers to HA take-up and use will be addressed through theory-informed behavioural interventions in a further study to improve HA take-up and use.</p>","PeriodicalId":13759,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Audiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gabrielle H Saunders, Graham Naylor, Lauren K Dillard, Oliver Zobay
{"title":"Use of electronic health records to assess associations between short-term hearing aid follow-up care, IOI-HA completion and long-term hearing aid use.","authors":"Gabrielle H Saunders, Graham Naylor, Lauren K Dillard, Oliver Zobay","doi":"10.1080/14992027.2026.2650494","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2026.2650494","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine associations between hearing-aid (HA) follow-up care and long-term HA outcome, and to determine whether short-term HA outcome is predictive of long-term HA outcome.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Data from the US Veterans Administration (VA) Electronic Health Record system were analysed using regression modelling. Dependent variables were long-term and short-term HA outcome assessed using HA use persistence at 24 months and the International Outcome Inventory for HA (IOI-HA) respectively; independent variable was occurrence of HA follow-up care; covariates were demographic, audiometric and health-related variables.</p><p><strong>Study sample: </strong>Veterans (n = 284,175) with a HA order through the VA system, and a subset of n = 43,568 who had valid IOI-HA data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>HA follow-up care was positively associated with HA outcome at 24-months for new and experienced HA users alike. Patients with IOI-HA data had better HA outcome at 24-months than those without. Responses to IOI-HA questions 1 (Daily HA use), 2 (Benefit), 4 (Satisfaction) and 7 (Quality of life) were more strongly associated with HA outcome at 24 months than responses to other IOI-HA questions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While not proving causation, the findings suggest that HA follow-up care within 12 weeks of a HA fitting is highly beneficial for long-term HA outcome, and that taking action based on IOI-HA data can improve HA outcomes at 24 months.</p>","PeriodicalId":13759,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Audiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mareike Buhl, Shiran Koifman, Abile Serge Magbonde, Koray Koçoğlu, Sabine Hochmuth, Elie Partouche, Arnaud Coez, Andreas Radeloff, Hung Thai-Van, Sylvette Wiener-Vacher, Grégory Gerenton, Anna Warzybok, Paul Avan, Birger Kollmeier
{"title":"A cross-domain test battery for comprehensive hearing loss characterisation using functional, physiological, and vestibular measures.","authors":"Mareike Buhl, Shiran Koifman, Abile Serge Magbonde, Koray Koçoğlu, Sabine Hochmuth, Elie Partouche, Arnaud Coez, Andreas Radeloff, Hung Thai-Van, Sylvette Wiener-Vacher, Grégory Gerenton, Anna Warzybok, Paul Avan, Birger Kollmeier","doi":"10.1080/14992027.2026.2650827","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2026.2650827","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To propose a comprehensive audiological-vestibular test battery for characterising age-related hearing loss, enabling precise phenotyping of suprathreshold functional, physiological, and vestibular factors beyond audibility. To establish age- and audibility-dependent reference data in age-appropriate normal-hearing controls.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Multidisciplinary consensus about test battery composition; Statistical analysis of centre effects to assess comparability of the test battery measured at two centres (Germany and France); Statistical analysis of age and pure-tone average (PTA) effects per test to identify potential covariates.</p><p><strong>Sample: </strong><i>n</i> = 55 (39 German and 16 French) participants with hearing thresholds better than the age-dependent median of the PTA, aged 40 years or older.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Due to negligible centre effects, all data were pooled across centres. Age- and PTA-dependent reference data were derived. Age and PTA effects were identified for some tests, especially for audiological-functional tests. No age effects were found for vestibular tests.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Normative values for a clinically feasible, multidimensional audiological-vestibular test battery were provided, including several measures whose age and PTA dependencies were previously unclear. Age and PTA should be considered as covariates for interpretation of these tests in future applications such as, e.g. phenotype-genotype relations in specified cohorts. Extensive data documentation and verification are essential for cross-centre comparability.</p>","PeriodicalId":13759,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Audiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-33"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}