Speech intelligibility will be evaluated for school age children with hearing loss in a simulated classroom environment, using Phonak hearing aids and receivers and two different microphone transmitters: a Roger Touchscreen mic and a fixed directional microphone.
Speech intelligibility will be evaluated for school age children with hearing loss in a simulated classroom environment, using Phonak hearing aids and receivers and two different microphone transmitters: a Roger Touchscreen mic and a fixed directional microphone. The simulated classroom environment will include a teacher condition, in which speech is presented from a distance in front of the participant, and a small-group condition, in which speech is presented randomly from three different speakers around the participant. Both conditions will have diffuse background noise, and the various SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) levels will be tested. Subjective preference and fatigue questionnaires will also be collected from the participants after the use of each transmitter.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
25
Transmitter microphone system operating on the 2.4 GHz band, which allows for low-delay and reliable long-range broadcast to a compatible Roger receiver, designed to be used in educational settings. It features six microphones and adaptive technology in which speech signals are increased when background noise increases to ensure that the speech signal is always above the noise level.
Wireless microphone that uses Phonak proprietary AirStream technology to connect to Phonak hearing aids. It uses a fixed directional microphone, and is paired to the hearing aids such that the hearing aid microphones are attenuated at a fixed level when the microphone is in use.
Hearts for Hearing
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Speech Intelligibility score using the AZ Bio Sentence Test-teacher condition
Sentences are presented from a front speaker located 8.5 feet away from participant. Diffuse background noise is presented from four corner speakers. Various Signal to Noise Ratios (SNR) will be tested: +4 dB, +2 dB, and -2 dB. The number of words correctly repeated will be calculated and expressed as a percentage for each SNR level. A higher score is better.
Time frame: One day (Visit 1)
Speech Intelligibility score using the AZ Bio Sentence Test- small group condition
Sentences are presented randomly from three different speakers, located around a small table with the participant, simulating a small group at a table. Diffuse background noise is presented from four corner speakers. Various Signal to Noise Ratios (SNR) will be tested: +4 dB, +2 dB, and -2 dB. The number of words correctly repeated will be calculated and expressed as a percentage for each SNR level. A higher score is better.
Time frame: One day (Visit 1)
Listening Fatigue using the Vanderbilt Fatigue Scale for Children
Ten questions related to fatigue, answers rank from 1 (never) to 5 (almost always). Total scores can range from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating more self-perceived fatigue.
Time frame: Two days (Visit 2 and Visit 3)
Subjective Preferences of participants
Participants will be asked to rank their preference for the microphone systems using a Likert type of rating scale (1-5), where a lower score (\<3) would indicate preference for the partner mic and a higher score (\>3) will indicate preference for the Roger Touchscreen.
Time frame: Two days (Visit 1 following the lab testing, and Visit 3, following the field trial)
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