Search

Background: Age related hearing loss (Presbycusis) is the most common form of hearing loss in the over 60 year olds, and has a negative impact on quality of life. The cause of Presbycusis is multifactorial and is predominately characterized with loss of speech perception in noise. Sounds are decomposed by the auditory filters to slowly varying envelope (E) and rapid temporal fine structure (TFS). TFS is important for recognition of target speech in noise. Objective: The main aim of study is to, the effect of rehabilitation training based on temporal fine structure on speech in noise perception on patients over the age of 60 years with mild to moderate hearing loss. Material and methods: A randomized clinical trial will be conducted on the patients with mild (loss of 20--39 dB) to moderate (40--69 dB) hearing loss and age between 60--75 years old. We excluded patients with conductive hearing loss, abnormal middle ear pathology and Central Nerve disease (CNS). The patients randomly were selected in to intervention and control group with 1: 1 ratio. Sample size was calculated with twelve patients in each group. The rehabilitating period for intervention group will be thirty minute sessions three times a week for a total five weeks. In beginning and at the conclusion of study in both intervention and control groups the Signal to noise ratio (SNR), Binaural TFS test and Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) questionnaire score will be performed to evaluate the effect of rehabilitation training on intervention group. In rehabilitation training the test consist of 16 consonants to identify vowel consonant vowel words (vcvs) which partially transmitted by TFS. Results: The results of study will be presented in the meeting. Discussion: Since the number of older persons is increasing. Presbycusis is growing very rapidly worldwide. Presbycusis mostly is caused by TFS damage. Most of the studies indicated this damage is permanent but in this study we attempt to prove base on rehabilitation training part of impairment in TFS information will be restored. The study is not completed yet but we are very ambition to show our results in XXXV World Congress of Audiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]