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This article is aimed at deaf children literacy and addresses the error frequency in a writing sample. The dataset comes from a writing word task. The writing errors was classified into two types: lexical and phonological. The sample was composed of 199 deaf users of sign language, 15 deaf with hearing prosthesis, and 44 hearing children. All the participants were students of elementary school. As expected, the results show significant differences in type error (lexical vs. phonological) only in the deaf signer's group, with higher values in errors related to lexical route. However, we also found a positive correlation between phonological errors and the number of coded words in the deaf group. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Talker-independent monaural speaker separation aims to separate concurrent speakers from a single-microphone recording. Inspired by human auditory scene analysis (ASA) mechanisms, a two-stage deep CASA approach has been proposed recently to address this problem, which achieves state-of-the-art results in separating mixtures of two or three speakers. A main limitation of deep CASA is that it is a non-causal system, while many speech processing applications, e.g., telecommunication and hearing prosthesis, require causal processing. In this study, we propose a causal version of deep CASA to address this limitation. First, we modify temporal connections, normalization and clustering algorithms in deep CASA so that no future information is used throughout the deep network. We then train a $C$ -speaker ( $C \geq 2$ ) deep CASA system in a speaker-number-independent fashion, generalizable to speech mixtures with up to $C$ speakers without the prior knowledge about the speaker number. Experimental results show that causal deep CASA achieves excellent speaker separation performance with known or unknown speaker numbers.

Low frequency magnetic field, inducing electrical field (ENumerical models of magneto-therapeutic applicator (emitting sinusoidal magnetic field of frequency 100 Hz) and the user of hearing implant (based on bone conduction: Bonebridge type - IS-BB or BAHA (bone anchorde hearing aid) type - IS-BAHA) were worked out. Values of EIt was demonstrated that the use of IS-BB or IS-BAHA makes electromagnetic hazards significantly higher (up to 4-fold) compared to the person without implant exposed to magnetic field heterogeneous in space. Hazards for IS-BAHA users are higher than those for IS-BB users. It was found that applying the principles of directive 2013/35/EU, at exposure to magnetic field below exposure limits the direct biophysical effects of exposure in hearing prosthesis users may exceed relevant limits. Whereas applying principles and limits set up by Polish labor law or the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines, the compliance with the exposure limits also ensures the compliance with relevant limits of electric field induced in the body of hearing implant user.It is necessary to assess individually electromagnetic hazard concerning hearing implant users bearing in mind significantly higher hazards to them compared to person without implant or differences between levels of hazards faced by users of implants of various structural or technological solutions. Med Pr 2017;68(4):469-477.Pole magnetyczne małej częstotliwości, wywołując wewnątrz struktur elektrycznie przewodzących indukowane pole elektryczne (EOpracowano numeryczne modele aplikatora do magnetoterapii, będącego źródłem pola magnetycznego sinusoidalnie zmiennego o częstotliwości 100 Hz, oraz użytkownika częściowo implantowanej protezy słuchu (implantu słuchowego wykorzystującego przewodnictwo kostne: typu Bonebridge (IS-BB) lub implantu słuchowego typu BAHA (IS-BAHA – bone anchored hearing aid, implant słuchu zakotwiczony w kości). Przeanalizowano wartości EWykazano, że używanie IS-BB lub IS-BAHA istotnie zwiększa (do ok. 4-krotnie) zagrożenia elektromagnetyczne jego użytkownika w porównaniu z osobą bez implantu, narażoną na niejednorodne przestrzennie pole magnetyczne. Zagrożenie dla użytkownika IS-BAHA jest większe niż użytkownika IS-BB. Stwierdzono, że przy zastosowaniu zasad oceny określonych w Dyrektywie 2013/35/UE w przypadku użytkowników implantów słuchowych przy narażeniu na pole niejednorodne słabsze od limitów indukcji magnetycznej może wystąpić przekroczenie limitów natężenia pola indukowanego w organizmie. Natomiast w przypadku stosowania wymagań i limitów określonych w polskim prawie pracy lub zaleceniach ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection – Międzynarodowa Komisja ds. Ochrony Przed Promieniowaniem Niejonizującym) dotrzymanie wymagań dotyczących poziomu ekspozycji zapewnia również dotrzymanie wymagań dotyczących odpowiednich limitów pola indukowanego w organizmie użytkownika implantu słuchowego.Konieczne jest wykonanie indywidualnej oceny zagrożeń elektromagnetycznych dotyczących użytkowników implantów słuchowych ze względu na stwierdzone istotnie większe zagrożenia w stosunku do osób bez implantu oraz różnic w poziomie zagrożenia użytkowników implantów o odmiennych rozwiązaniach konstrukcyjnych czy technologicznych. Med. Pr. 2017;68(4):469–477.

Human beings, wearing hearing prosthetics will have hard time in segregating voice of interest from background noise in surrounded noisy environment, such that the intelligibility of the hearing prosthetics has to be improved. In this paper, a variable bandwidth band pass filter is proposed so that the intelligibility of the speech will get enhanced. The proposed algorithm is also analyzed in different noisy environments. This work is implemented in LAB View and Field Programmable Gate Arrays.

HYPOTHESIS Bone-anchored hearing systems (BAHSs) provide sound location-dependent input to the normal ear for reducing the head shadow effect in the case of single-sided deafness (SSD). BACKGROUND Patients with SSD can be fit with a BAHS positioned on the impaired side. Despite successful outcomes and some reports of spatial hearing capabilities, little data are available regarding the physiologic performance of BAHSs in response to free-field sounds. METHODS Cochlear microphonics (CMs) were recorded from five chinchillas before and after destruction of one cochlea. A BAHS (Cochlear Baha) was fitted on the deafened side. CM measurements were made in response to tones, with and without the BAHS, to free-field sounds presented ipsilateral to the SSD, on the side of the normal ear, and along the midline. Stimuli were also presented directly through the BAHS and an earphone to generate sounds with interaural time and level differences approximating free-field sounds. RESULTS With the BAHS, CM thresholds were decreased (re: no BAHS) by approximately 10 dB for sources ipsilateral to the SSD, approximately 14 dB for midline sources, and approximately 5 dB for sources contralateral to the SSD. Changes in CM amplitudes and thresholds were sound location dependent. CM amplitudes were modulated by interaural time and level differences generated by the linear interaction of BAHS and acoustic signals. CONCLUSION This study suggests that BAHS can provide input to the normal ear that is modulated by sound location, which serves to reduce the head shadow effect and may also offer cues to sound location.

This paper presents a short survey on current technology available in hearing aids with a focus on digital signal processing techniques used. First, factors influencing the hearing aid effectiveness are introduced. Then, examples of the present DSP methods and strategies are provided. Also, a description of current limitations of hearing aids and future trends of development are shown. Finally, the notion of computational auditory scene analysis is presented as a possible solution for improving quality of speech and music perception while using a hearing prosthesis.

In this article some of the different technologies and its functioning as well as some technological aids for people with partial or total auditory deficiency will be presented. The objective of the auditory rehabilitation is to develop the capacity of auditory perception to the individual carrying auditory deficiency, with aid of devices that can amplify the sound. Between these devices, we cite: the Baha auditory prostheses, vibrant sound-bridge, the cochlear implantations, the auditory brainstem implants, the hearing prosthesis, the bone conduction prostheses and the intra-channels hearing. Some technological aiding devices not used in the ear are also presented such as the signal amplifier to phone, amplifier magnetic field to TV, sign language translator, phone with handset and light bell for home.

Mestrado em Intervenção Sócio-Organizacional na Saúde - Área de especialização: Diagnóstico e Intervenção Organizacional e Comunitária Submitted by Maria da Luz Antunes (mluz.antunes@estesl.ipl.pt) on 2015-09-01T10:29:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Reabilitação auditiva e qualidade de vida dos idosos.pdf: 477388 bytes, checksum: c5ee203f16541066852ab3d89c1b04d6 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2015-09-01T10:29:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Reabilitação auditiva e qualidade de vida dos idosos.pdf: 477388 bytes, checksum: c5ee203f16541066852ab3d89c1b04d6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008

In the framework of the EU-supported research project Healthy Aims, we developed a range of novel electrode arrays and related technologies for use in hearing prosthesis. This paper summarizes our ongoing research activities on alternative electrode manufacturing routes, functional electrode interfaces and smart intra-cochlear and intra- modiolus electrode arrays.

OBJECTIVE: For some patients, conventional hearing aids might have disadvantages that clearly limit the benefit of using them. The middle ear implant, Vibrant Soundbridge hearing prosthesis offers an approach to help such patients. Our study's objective was to identify the binaurality in a well-fitted digital hearing aid worn in the contralateral ear in recipients experienced with use of the Vibrant Soundbridge middle ear implant device. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective study, warble-tone thresholds and stereophony were evaluated for the following conditions: (1) binaural unaided-with the middle ear implant inactive and the behind-the-ear hearing aid removed; (2) middle ear implant alone-middle ear implant active, behind-the-ear hearing aid removed; (3) middle ear implant plus behind-the-ear omnidirectional-middle ear implant active, behind-the-ear active; and (4) behind-the-ear omnidirectional alone-middle ear implant inactive, behind-the-ear omnidirectional active. Behind-the-ear omnidirectional and behind-the-ear is defined as the behind-the-ear active in the omnidirectional or directional response, respectively. Behind-the-ear is a contralateral digital hearing aid to the middle ear implant. Benefits such as improved sound detection, speech perception in quiet and in noise, and sound quality were investigated. The evaluation of subjective hearing benefit was based on the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) test. Paired t tests (subject) were used to analyze the differences between mean thresholds for the different test conditions. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Eight adults (aged 45-68 yr) had undergone implantation with a single Vibrant Soundbridge at least 12 months before starting the study. These eight subjects presented no contraindication for contralateral hearing aid use. Patients were fitted 5 weeks before testing with a Siemens Signia digital behind-the-ear hearing aid in the side contralateral to the Vibrant Soundbridge. RESULTS: Five weeks after use of the contralateral hearing aid together with the middle ear implant, mean differences in warble-tone thresholds between Conditions 2 and 3 and between Conditions 3 and 4 were both statistically significant. The mean differences in speech reception thresholds were in line with the mean differences in average warble-tone thresholds. The mean speech reception threshold for the middle ear implant plus behind-the-ear omnidirectional condition was slightly worse (3 dB) than that for the middle ear implant alone condition; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Whereas speech reception threshold difference between Condition 1 and Condition 4 was not statistically significant (60 dB and 61 dB, respectively). The mean difference for the 0-degree azimuth alone was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for the conditions middle ear implant alone and middle ear implant plus behind-the-ear omnidirectional. The middle ear implant alone appears to give good sensitivity at 2 kHz for any direction. Increasing scores indicate greater percentages of problems. Percentages of problems were on average lower for the middle ear implant when used with the contralateral digital hearing aid based on the global score. CONCLUSION: The use of a middle ear implant Vibrant Soundbridge together with a contralateral digital hearing aid improved functional gain and speech perception thresholds in quiet, especially for the sound coming from the front of the patient. The use of a middle ear implant together with a contralateral digital hearing did not significantly improve hearing in noise.

Alternative stimuli, i.e., stimuli other than the constant amplitude stimuli used in prior fitting schemes, are used to set the parameters of a hearing prosthesis, such as a cochlear implant system. The use of such alternative stimuli allows the entire fitting process to be completed in a very short time period, and generally eliminates the need for secondary adjustments. In one preferred embodiment, the alternative stimuli comprise white noise that is internally generated within the speech processor.

A bimodal hearing prosthesis configured to deliver electrical and acoustic stimulation to a recipient such that a frequency range of a received sound that is represented by the electrical stimulation is perceived simultaneously with the frequency range of the received sound that is represented by the acoustic stimulation.

The present invention relates to a method of logging or recording input signal data of a hearing prosthesis in combination with values of one or several variables associated with the hearing prosthesis. The hearing prosthesis variable(s) may comprise logic states of a single or several user-controllable actuator(s) mounted on the prosthesis and/or values of algorithm parameters of a predetermined digital signal processing algorithm executed in the prosthesis. Hereby, error tracking and performance optimisation are facilitated since anomalous or sub-optimal operating conditions of signal processing algorithms and/or user interface control handling or other undesired events may be detected. By recording both the hearing prosthesis variable or variables and the input signal data, it is e.g. possible to identify and track correlations between one or several predetermined signal events in the input signal data and effects to the operation of the hearing prosthesis derived there from.

A hearing prosthesis that automatically adjusts itself to a surrounding listening environment is provided. In one aspect, the automatic adjustment is achieved by controlling one or several algorithm parameters of a predetermined signal processing algorithm. In another aspect, the signal input to the hearing prosthesis is continuously and automatically classified as belonging to one of several everyday listening environments, the results of the classification being communicated to the processing means thus allowing the processing means to control the algorithm parameters.

Four of 13 totally deaf patients implanted with the Nucleus multi-channel hearing prosthesis at the University of Melbourne have demonstrated the ability to understand connected speech without lipreading or other visual cues. These patients were able to repeat verbatim unknown material read by a tester at rates of up to 35 words per minute. They were also able to understand an average of 78% of key words in everyday sentences in ideal acoustic conditions and 51% of equivalent material over the telephone. These results show that with a good proportion of postlingually deaf patients, the multi-channel hearing prosthesis can not only act as an aid to lipreading, but also restore effective speech understanding without lip-reading.

In this brief report it is shown that without the use of language and/or complex tones, it has been possible to determine whether or not the potential of residual hearing is being fully utilized by the hearing impaired child or adult with or without an aid. Furthermore, because the system is one of direct and immediate comparison it can be used to confirm if the initial selection of a specific hearing prosthesis is potentially correct.

This is a publisher’s version of an article published in The Journal of Laryngology & Otology © 1973 Cambridge University Press. www.cambridge.org/

This is a publisher’s version of an article published in The Journal of Laryngology & Otology © 1979 Cambridge University Press. www.cambridge.org/

The Nucleus 22-channel implantable hearing prosthesis (Cochlear Pty. Ltd., Lane Cove, Sydney, Australia) has been modified by computer programming (MOCO, Inc., Scituate, Mass. USA) into a functional electrical stimulator. Individual or multiple channels can be sequenced and adjusted for their amplitude, width and frequency of the pulse so that activation of single and multiple nerves can be achieved. Sciatic nerve branches (lateral and medial) of anesthetized rabbits were stimulated to produce single contractions or co-contraction at the ankle and simultaneous bilateral joint movements. The spiral (Helix) electrode was also found suitable in these experiments. The external equipment is being re-designed for a wearable ambulation unit to be used in paraplegic subjects.

An individual with a hearing loss often experiences at least two distinct problems: 1) the hearing loss itself i.e. an increase in hearing threshold level, and 2) a signal-to-noise ratio loss (SNR loss) i.e. a loss of ability to understand high level speech in noise as compared to normal hearing individuals. According to one aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by selecting parameter values of a noise reduction algorithm or algorithms based on the individual user's SNR loss. Thereby, a degree of restoration/improvement of the SNR of noise-contaminated input signals of the hearing prosthesis has been made dependent on user specific loss data. According to another aspect of the present invention, a hearing prosthesis capable of controlling parameters of a noise reduction algorithms in dependence on the user's current listening environment as recognized and indicated by the environmental classifier has been provided.

An individual with a hearing loss often experiences at least two distinct problems: 1) the hearing loss itself i.e. an increase in hearing threshold level, and 2) a signal-to-noise ratio loss (SNR loss) i.e. a loss of ability to understand high level speech in noise as compared to normal hearing individuals. According to one aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by selecting parameter values of a noise reduction algorithm or algorithms based on the individual user's SNR loss. Thereby, a degree of restoration/improvement of the SNR of noise-contaminated input signals of the hearing prosthesis has been made dependent on user specific loss data. According to another aspect of the present invention, a hearing prosthesis capable of controlling parameters of a noise reduction algorithms in dependence on the user's current listening environment as recognized and indicated by the environmental classifier has been provided.

In the exemplary embodiments, the sound signals are converted into electrical signals, which are wirelessly transmitted to an implanted receiver, and from the latter, electric stimuli in electrode channels are brought to act on the auditory nerve. The transmission proceeds in the time division multiplex technique in such a manner that the electrical signals are subjected to a pulse modulation and are transmitted in an HF-channel. Thus, the receiver can be reduced with regard to the volume of its construction as well as with regard to its energy requirement. The disclosed method and hearing prostheses for its realization are particularly suited for attending to the needs of the extremely hard of hearing.