Audiology Research最新文献

{"title":"Visual Reliance in Severe Hearing Loss: Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs) Study.","authors":"Takwa Gabr, Ahmed Hashem, Sherihan Rezk Ahmed, Mohamed G Zeinhom","doi":"10.3390/audiolres15010003","DOIUrl":"10.3390/audiolres15010003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Peripheral hearing loss is associated with the cross-modal re-organization of the auditory cortex, which can occur in both pre- and post-lingual deaf cases.</p><p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Whether to rely on the visual cues in cases with severe hearing loss with adequate amplification is a matter of debate. So, this study aims to study visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in children with severe or profound HL, whether fitted with HAs or CIs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study included three groups of children matched in age and gender: normal hearing, children with hearing thresholds >70 dBHL and fitted with power HAs, and children fitted with CIs. All cases were subjected to pure tone audiometry (aided and unaided), speech discrimination scores, ophthalmic examinations, and visual evoked potentials (VEPs).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SD% scores significantly improved with the use of VCs in both CI and HL groups, and a significantly higher P100 amplitude of VEPs in both CI and HL groups (more in children fitted with CIs).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Cross-modal reorganization in severe degrees of HL is of great benefit whether they are fitted with HAs or CIs.</p>","PeriodicalId":44133,"journal":{"name":"Audiology Research","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755637/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143025002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictive Factors for Hearing Loss in Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.","authors":"Virginia Corazzi, Lucia Belen Musumano, Andrea Migliorelli, Laura Negossi, Chiara Bianchini, Francesco Stomeo, Stefano Pelucchi, Andrea Ciorba","doi":"10.3390/audiolres15010002","DOIUrl":"10.3390/audiolres15010002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The present study aims to identify potential predictive factors for developing sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in individuals with congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective study was performed on 50 subjects with cCMV infection (symptomatic and asymptomatic), followed at the Audiology Service of Sant'Anna Hospital (University Hospital of Ferrara). The following data were analyzed: the type of maternal Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (primary versus non-primary), time of in utero infection, systemic signs and symptoms or laboratory test anomalies due to cCMV infection, and signs and symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) involvement at birth. In particular, brain ultrasonography and encephalic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated, searching for possible links between imaging findings and SNHL.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The statistical analysis showed a significantly higher risk of developing SNHL in subjects with signs and symptoms of CNS involvement at birth (<i>p</i> = 0.009 *). The presence of brain MRI abnormalities significantly influenced the onset of SNHL in patients with symptomatic cCMV infection (<i>p</i> = 0.012 *). Brain ultrasonography, the type of maternal CMV infection, systemic signs/symptoms and laboratory test anomalies at birth, and sex resulted in nonsignificant correlations in the analysis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The presence of neurological symptoms at birth and of detectable abnormalities in brain MRI are predictors of SNHL developing in symptomatic cCMV infection. Further investigation on this topic is necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":44133,"journal":{"name":"Audiology Research","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755536/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143024831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parental Stress, Learned Helplessness, and Perceived Social Support in Mothers of Children with Hearing Loss and Mothers of Typically Developing Children.","authors":"Usha Shastri, Niya Prakasan, Lakshmi Satheesan, Kaushlendra Kumar, Mohan Kumar Kalaiah","doi":"10.3390/audiolres15010001","DOIUrl":"10.3390/audiolres15010001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Hearing loss in children can have a detrimental impact on their development, thus lowering the psychological well-being of parents. This study examined the amount of parental stress, learned helplessness, and perceived social support in mothers of children with hearing loss (MCHL) and mothers of typically developing children (MTDC), as well as the relationship between various possible contributing factors to parental stress such as learned helplessness and perceived social support. <b>Method:</b> Three questionnaires measured parental stress (Parental Stress Scale; PSS), learned helplessness (Learned Helplessness Scale; LHS), and perceived social support (Perceived Social Support-Friends PSS-Fr and Perceived Social Support-Family PSS-Fa Scale) in 100 MCHL and 90 MTDC. All mothers had normal hearing and children aged 1 to 12 years. Mothers of children with any degree of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, using hearing aids and/or cochlear implants, were included in the MCHL group. Children with hearing loss did not have any additional disabilities. <b>Results:</b> Parental stress and learned helplessness were not significantly different between the groups. The perceived social support was significantly lower in MCHL as compared to MTDC. Pearson correlation analysis with pooled data from both groups showed a small but significant negative correlation between parental stress and perceived social support. A moderately significant positive correlation existed between learned helplessness and parental stress. The relationship between learned helplessness and perceived social support was negative, being small but significant. <b>Conclusions:</b> The study findings indicate that parental stress was similar in both groups. As perceived social support increased, parental stress and learned helplessness decreased. Thus, the present study findings indicate the need for developing greater social support for MCHL.</p>","PeriodicalId":44133,"journal":{"name":"Audiology Research","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755561/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143024449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of the Inter-Frequency Amplitude Ratio (1000/500 Hz) in cVEMP and oVEMP for the Diagnosis of Ménière's Disease.","authors":"Sacha Drabkin, Antonino Maniaci, Mario Lentini, Giannicola Iannella, Sophie Tainmont, Christophe Lelubre, Quentin Mat","doi":"10.3390/audiolres14060093","DOIUrl":"10.3390/audiolres14060093","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives</b>: to retrospectively evaluate the clinical relevance of the 1000/500 Hz inter-frequency amplitude ratio (IFAR) in cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs and oVEMPs) in patients with unilateral definite Ménière's disease (MD) to identify the pathological ear. <b>Method</b>: cVEMPs and oVEMPs results obtained at 500 Hz and 1000 Hz were retrospectively analyzed in 28 patients with unilateral definite MD. 1000/500 Hz IFAR were calculated and compared for each ear. Spearman correlation tests between patient age and 1000/500 Hz IFAR were also performed. <b>Results</b>: No significant difference was observed between the 1000/500 Hz IFAR calculated in both pathological and healthy ears when the cVEMPs were performed (<i>p</i> = 0.74; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). 1000/500 Hz IFAR results obtained in healthy and pathological ears were also not different for oVEMPs (<i>p</i> = 0.73; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Analysis of modified 1000/500 Hz IFARs for healthy and pathological ears showed no difference in both cVEMPs and oVEMPs (<i>p</i> = 0.44; <i>p</i> = 0.95, respectively; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). There was a significant positive correlation between IFARs, modified IFARs, and patient age for cVEMPs (<i>p</i> = 0.017; <i>p</i> = 0.012, respectively, Spearman's correlation test). A significant positive correlation was also found between modified IFARs and the subject age in oVEMPs (<i>p</i> = 0.019, Spearman's correlation test). <b>Conclusions</b>: We did not observe any significant increase of 1000/500 Hz IFARs and 1000/500 Hz modified IFARs in ears affected by definite MD compared to healthy ears. Moreover, our research suggests that the age of the participants may influence IFAR results, which may lead to misdiagnosis in the elderly. It is, therefore, essential to conduct further prospective studies in larger cohorts, stratifying results by participant age, to better understand the role of 1000/500 Hz IFAR values in the diagnosis of MD.</p>","PeriodicalId":44133,"journal":{"name":"Audiology Research","volume":"14 6","pages":"1126-1135"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673945/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142899200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How Does Deep Neural Network-Based Noise Reduction in Hearing Aids Impact Cochlear Implant Candidacy?","authors":"Aniket A Saoji, Bilal A Sheikh, Natasha J Bertsch, Kayla R Goulson, Madison K Graham, Elizabeth A McDonald, Abigail E Bross, Jonathan M Vaisberg, Volker Kühnel, Solveig C Voss, Jinyu Qian, Cynthia H Hogan, Melissa D DeJong","doi":"10.3390/audiolres14060092","DOIUrl":"10.3390/audiolres14060092","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Adult hearing-impaired patients qualifying for cochlear implants typically exhibit less than 60% sentence recognition under the best hearing aid conditions, either in quiet or noisy environments, with speech and noise presented through a single speaker. This study examines the influence of deep neural network-based (DNN-based) noise reduction on cochlear implant evaluation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Speech perception was assessed using AzBio sentences in both quiet and noisy conditions (multi-talker babble) at 5 and 10 dB signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) through one loudspeaker. Sentence recognition scores were measured for 10 hearing-impaired patients using three hearing aid programs: calm situation, speech in noise, and spheric speech in loud noise (DNN-based noise reduction). Speech perception results were compared to bench analyses comprising the phase inversion technique, employed to predict SNR improvement, and the Hearing-Aid Speech Perception Index (HASPI v2), utilized to predict speech intelligibility.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The spheric speech in loud noise program improved speech perception by 20 to 32% points as compared to the calm situation program. Thus, DNN-based noise reduction can improve speech perception in noisy environments, potentially reducing the need for cochlear implants in some cases. The phase inversion method showed a 4-5 dB SNR improvement for the DNN-based noise reduction program compared to the other two programs. HASPI v2 predicted slightly better speech intelligibility than was measured in this study.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>DNN-based noise reduction might make it difficult for some patients with significant residual hearing to qualify for cochlear implantation, potentially delaying its adoption or eliminating the need for it entirely.</p>","PeriodicalId":44133,"journal":{"name":"Audiology Research","volume":"14 6","pages":"1114-1125"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673434/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142899279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Psychological Distress and Social Adjustment of a Working Adult Population with Single-Sided Deafness.","authors":"Enrico Apa, Riccardo Nocini, Andrea Ciorba, Luca Sacchetto, Chiara Gherpelli, Daniele Monzani, Silvia Palma","doi":"10.3390/audiolres14060091","DOIUrl":"10.3390/audiolres14060091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: Hearing loss is a highly prevalent condition in the world population that determines emotional, social, and economic costs. In recent years, it has been definitely recognized that the lack of physiological binaural hearing causes alterations in the localization of sounds and reduced speech recognition in noise and reverberation. This study aims to explore the psycho-social profile of adult workers affected by single-sided deafness (SSD), without other major medical conditions and otological symptoms, through comparison to subjects with normal hearing. <b>Methods</b>: This is a cross-sectional, case-control study. Subjects aged between 24 and 65 years, all currently employed and affected by SSD, were enrolled. They were administered both disease-specific and psychometric tests, such as the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA), the Profile Questionnaire for Rating Communicative Performance, the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI), and the Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ). <b>Results</b>: A total of 149 subjects (mean age = 49.9; SD ± 8.5) were enrolled in the period 2021-2023; 68 were males (45.6%), and 81 were females (54.4%). The normal hearing group was composed of 95 subjects, and the SSD sample was composed of 54 subjects. The results of our study show that the levels of psychological well-being and social functioning in subjects with SSD are statistically worse than in the group of subjects with normal hearing in most subscales. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study definitely outlined evidence for a significantly worse psychological health status and a poorer social attitude of working adults affected by SSD with respect to their normal-hearing counterparts. Understanding the impact of SSD on patients' work environment suggests a multidisciplinary approach to such patients in order to increase their quality of life through adequate counseling, acceptance, and role modeling.</p>","PeriodicalId":44133,"journal":{"name":"Audiology Research","volume":"14 6","pages":"1105-1113"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673435/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142899027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Normative Data of Extended High Frequency Audiometry in Normal Hearing Subjects with Different Aged Groups.","authors":"Kittiphorn Luengrungrus, Panida Thanawirattananit, Watchareporn Teeramatwanich","doi":"10.3390/audiolres14060089","DOIUrl":"10.3390/audiolres14060089","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: Conventional audiometry assesses hearing in the frequency range of 250-8000 Hz, while humans can detect sounds from 20 to 20,000 Hz. Hearing sensitivity above 8000 Hz can be assessed through \"Extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA)\", which is useful for early detection and monitoring of hearing loss and counseling for tinnitus patients. Despite its usefulness, age significantly affects hearing sensitivity. Currently, there are no standard hearing thresholds in the EHF range categorized by age groups in Thailand. In this study, the aim was to determine normative EHFA data across different age groups in a healthy Thai population. <b>Methods</b>: This study included 134 participants aged 18-70 years, categorized into five age groups. All participants had normal hearing thresholds and type A tympanograms bilaterally. Following this, EHFA measurement was performed. <b>Results</b>: Across all age groups, there was an observed increase in median hearing thresholds as age increased. In comparison, no significant difference in median hearing thresholds was found between individuals aged 18-30 and >30-40 years. However, those over 40 years had significantly higher median thresholds across all frequencies compared to those under 40 years (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Based on these findings, we propose two new subgroups of 18-40 years and >40-70 years. Median hearing thresholds for those aged 18-40 was ≤20 dB HL across most frequencies, except at 16,000 Hz (30 dB HL). In the >40-70 age group, thresholds ranged from 20 dB HL at 9000 Hz to 70 dB HL at 14,000 and 16,000 Hz. However, no significant differences were found in hearing thresholds between sexes and ear sides. <b>Conclusions</b>: In this study, normative EHFA data were established for healthy Thai adults, appropriately divided into two groups (18-40 and >40-70 years) for clinical use. Further studies with more participants per age group are also needed to validate the results.</p>","PeriodicalId":44133,"journal":{"name":"Audiology Research","volume":"14 6","pages":"1084-1092"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11674001/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142898902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Salivary Cortisol Concentration Is an Objective Measure of the Physiological Response to Loud Music.","authors":"Robert Tomljenović, Andro Košec, Livije Kalogjera, Ivana Ćelap, Domagoj Marijančević, Davor Vagić","doi":"10.3390/audiolres14060090","DOIUrl":"10.3390/audiolres14060090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Purpose</b>: This study examines the potential associations between salivary cortisol concentrations and subjective stress test scores in healthy individuals subjected to sound-related, psychological, and physical stressors. <b>Methods</b>: This study employed a single-center observational cross-sectional design, with a sample size of 36 subjects recruited from a tertiary referral audiology center. Between 2023 and 2024, the study recruited subjects with normal hearing, baseline salivary cortisol levels, and subjective stress levels. The participants were requested to complete an STAI-Y1 questionnaire and provide salivary cortisol samples before and following exposure to sound-related, psychological, and physical stress tests. <b>Results</b>: Exposure to psychological and physical stressors significantly increased STAI-Y1 scores (Friedman's test, χ² = 57.118, df = 2, <i>p</i> = 0.377). This increase was greater than that observed in response to loud, favorite music (Friedman's test, χ² = 57.118, df = 2, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). The salivary cortisol concentration significantly increased in all three provocation tests (Friedman's test, χ² = 95.264, df = 5, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Furthermore, there is no significant difference in salivary cortisol concentrations between the three pre-test and post-test measurement intervals, indicating a comparable stress-inducing pattern regardless of the nature of the stimulus (Friedman's test, χ² = 95.264, df = 5, <i>p</i> > 0.05). <b>Conclusions</b>: Exposure to loud favorite music increases salivary cortisol concentrations, as does acute physical and psychological stress. Interestingly, unlike psychological and physical stress, loud music was not objectively perceived as stress, which may mask the physiological signs of stress, potentially increasing the risk of both acute and chronic stress-related health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":44133,"journal":{"name":"Audiology Research","volume":"14 6","pages":"1093-1104"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673928/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142898961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multicenter Study on the Impact of the Masker Babble Spectrum on the Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) Test.","authors":"Mark Laureyns, Giorgia Pugliese, Melinda Freyaldenhoven Bryan, Marieke Willekens, Anna Maria Gasbarre, Diego Zanetti, Julien Gilson, Paul Van Doren, Federica Di Berardino","doi":"10.3390/audiolres14060088","DOIUrl":"10.3390/audiolres14060088","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) is defined as the most comfortable level (MCL) intensity for speech and is calculated by subtracting the maximum noise tolerable by an individual. The ANL test has been used over time to predict hearing aid use and the impact of digital noise reduction. This study analyzes this impact by using different masker babble spectra when performing the ANL test in both hearing-impaired and healthy subjects in three different languages (Dutch, French, and Italian).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 198 patients underwent the ANL test in their native language using a standardized protocol. The babble file was speech-weighted to match the long-term spectrum of the specific ANL language version. ANL was proposed in three different masking conditions: with multitalker Matched babble speech noise, with the same masking signal with the spectrum reduced from 2 kHz onwards (High Cut), and with the spectrum increased from 2 kHz onwards (High Boost).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In all of the comparisons among the three languages, ANL with High Boost noise gave significantly higher (worse) scores than ANL with Matched noise (<i>p</i>-value S1: <0.0001, S2: <0.0001, S3: 0.0003) and ANL with High Cut noise (<i>p</i>-value S1: 0.0002, S2: <0.0001, S3: <0.0001). The ANL values did not show any significant correlation with age and gender. In French, a weak correlation was found between ANL with High Cut noise and the Fletcher index of the worst ear. In Italian, a weak correlation was found between both ANL with Matched and High Boost noise and the Fletcher index of the best ear.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>ANL with High Boost added to noise stimuli was less acceptable for all patients in all of the languages. The ANL results did not vary in relation to the patients' characteristics. This study confirms that the ANL test has potential application for clinical use regardless of the native language spoken.</p>","PeriodicalId":44133,"journal":{"name":"Audiology Research","volume":"14 6","pages":"1075-1083"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673388/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142898913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toward Alleviating the Stigma of Hearing Aids: A Review.","authors":"Edward Madara, Achintya K Bhowmik","doi":"10.3390/audiolres14060087","DOIUrl":"10.3390/audiolres14060087","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite the significant advancements in hearing aid technology, their adoption rates remain low, with stigma continuing to be a major barrier for many. This review aims to assess the origins and current state of hearing aid stigma, as well as explore potential strategies for alleviating it. This review examines the societal perceptions, psychological impacts, and recent technological advancements that can influence hearing aid adoption and reduce stigma. <b>Methods:</b> A narrative-focused review of the literature from peer-reviewed journals and reputable sources was conducted, analyzing papers on hearing aid stigma, adoption rates, and technological solutions. The research works were categorized based on their focus on the drivers and alleviation strategies for the stigma of hearing aids. <b>Results:</b> This review identifies stigma as a complex, multifaceted issue driven primarily by ageism, disability perception, and the association of hearing aids with aging and incapability. Despite technological improvements, the studies surveyed listed stigma as a major factor in non-adoption. Technological advancements such as artificial intelligence in sound processing, multifunctional features, and innovative design have shown potential in reducing stigma and improving user experience. <b>Conclusions:</b> Alleviating the stigma of hearing aids requires a multi-pronged approach, combining improvements in technology with changes in societal perceptions. Multifunctional devices including both health and communications functions, advanced signal processing, and esthetic improvements can drive their adoption, but broader public health awareness and education are also essential to changing societal attitudes and fostering greater acceptance of hearing aids.</p>","PeriodicalId":44133,"journal":{"name":"Audiology Research","volume":"14 6","pages":"1058-1074"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673210/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142898962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}