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Audiology Research
Special Issues
Emerging Technologies in Audiology: Advancing Assessment, Intervention, and Accessibility
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Emerging Technologies in Audiology: Advancing Assessment, Intervention, and Accessibility

A special issue of Audiology Research (ISSN 2039-4349). This special issue belongs to the section "Hearing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2025) | Viewed by 6027

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Antonino Maniaci

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Guest Editor
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna Kore, 94100 Enna, Italy
Interests: audiology; otology; artificial intelligence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mario Lentini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna Kore, 94100 Enna, Italy
Interests: audiology; otology; artificial intelligence

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent technological advances have drastically reshaped the field of audiology. From artificial intelligence-powered hearing aids to remote hearing healthcare delivery, emerging technologies are changing how we assess, treat, and support persons with hearing impairments. This Special Issue will explore the leading edge of technological innovation in audiological care, encompassing but not limited to AI applications, teleaudiology, virtual/augmented reality in rehabilitation, new diagnostic tools, and innovative hearing device technologies. We seek high-quality original research, systematic reviews, and perspective papers that critically reflect on the opportunities and challenges of translating such innovations into clinical service.

Dr. Antonino Maniaci
Dr. Mario Lentini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Audiology Research is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • artificial intelligence in audiology
  • teleaudiology
  • digital hearing aids
  • virtual reality rehabilitation
  • remote hearing care
  • machine learning diagnostics
  • smart hearing technologies
  • digital health solutions

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 1300 KB  
Article
Digital Tinnitus Counseling in Clinical Practice: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
by Petra Brueggemann, Gernot G. Supp, Paul Schmidt and Birgit Mazurek
Audiol. Res. 2025, 15(6), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15060173 - 9 Dec 2025
Viewed by 490
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Subjective tinnitus, defined as the perception of sound without an external source, is a common and often debilitating condition. In the absence of pharmacotherapy, disease management guidelines recommend counseling interventions to alleviate tinnitus-related distress and improve patient outcome. This study evaluated [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Subjective tinnitus, defined as the perception of sound without an external source, is a common and often debilitating condition. In the absence of pharmacotherapy, disease management guidelines recommend counseling interventions to alleviate tinnitus-related distress and improve patient outcome. This study evaluated the benefit of guideline-compliant counseling provided by “Meine Tinnitus App”, a smartphone-based application, for the treatment of subjective tinnitus. Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted in 204 patients with confirmed chronic subjective tinnitus enrolled at 33 ear, nose and throat (ENT) practices in Germany. Tinnitus improvement was evaluated after 10 weeks of intervention (digital counseling in addition to standard care vs. standard care only). The primary endpoint was the change in tinnitus-related distress (measured by the Mini-TQ-12 validated questionnaire). The secondary endpoint was the change in tinnitus-associated daily burden and coping difficulties (measured by the validated BVB-2000 questionnaire). Treatment effects for the primary and secondary endpoints were represented by the estimated marginal means (EMMs). Results: Patients of the intervention group showed a significant reduction in tinnitus-related distress (EMM [95% CI]: 4.5 [3.3–5.8]; p < 0.001) and a significant improvement in tinnitus-associated daily burden and coping difficulties (EMM [95% CI]: 0.5 [0.2–0.7]; p < 0.001) compared to patients of the control group, with large to moderate effect sizes (Hedges’ g between 1.1. and 0.5). These positive treatment effects were confirmed by responder and sensitivity analyses. Additionally, patients with high vs. low app usage showed a greater improvement in treatment effect for both endpoints (p < 0.05), further supporting the health benefits of digital counseling. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the efficacy of tinnitus counseling provided by “Meine Tinnitus App” to alleviate tinnitus-related distress, daily burden, and coping difficulties in patients with subjective tinnitus (German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00025379). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies in Audiology: Advancing Assessment, Intervention, and Accessibility)
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17 pages, 809 KB  
Article
Impact of Hearing Aid Amplification on Subjective Tonal Tinnitus in Patients with Gently Sloping and Ski-Slope Hearing Loss: A Retrospective Cohort Study
by Daniele Portelli, Sabrina Loteta, Cosimo Galletti, Mariangela D’Angelo, Leonard Freni, Pietro Salvago, Francesco Ciodaro and Giuseppe Alberti
Audiol. Res. 2025, 15(6), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15060167 - 3 Dec 2025
Viewed by 469
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of hearing aid amplification in reducing self-perceived tinnitus handicap in individuals with ski-slope hearing loss—a population seldom addressed in previous research. In addition, a correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between tinnitus [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of hearing aid amplification in reducing self-perceived tinnitus handicap in individuals with ski-slope hearing loss—a population seldom addressed in previous research. In addition, a correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between tinnitus duration, pitch, loudness, and THI scores. The results are then compared with those of patients with high-frequency gently sloping hearing loss. Methods: 38 patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and chronic tonal tinnitus were retrospectively evaluated and divided into two equal groups: high-frequency gently sloping and ski-slope hearing loss (n = 19 each). Tinnitus pitch, loudness, and edge frequency were assessed. The Mann–Whitney test compared tinnitus characteristics between groups, while the Wilcoxon signed-rank test evaluated pre- and post-treatment THI scores. Spearman correlation was used to explore associations between tinnitus duration, intensity, pitch, and THI outcomes. Results: The Mann–Whitney test showed significant differences in tinnitus pitch, and edge frequency between both groups; no statistically significant differences were found for the tinnitus level. Tinnitus frequency was higher in the high-frequency gently sloping group. The Wilcoxon test confirmed significant improvements in THI scores post-treatment for both groups (p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between tinnitus duration, level, pitch, and post-treatment THI scores. Conclusions: Hearing aids effectively reduce tinnitus severity in patients with ski-slope and gently sloping hearing loss, supporting their use as a therapeutic option. Larger, multicentric studies are recommended to validate these findings and explore specific auditory profiles and processing strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies in Audiology: Advancing Assessment, Intervention, and Accessibility)
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17 pages, 1943 KB  
Article
Preset Hearing Aid Program Selection in Low-Income Communities: A Longitudinal Study
by Anné Croucamp, Caitlin Frisby, Vinaya Manchaiah, Tersia de Kock and De Wet Swanepoel
Audiol. Res. 2025, 15(5), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15050137 - 11 Oct 2025
Viewed by 980
Abstract
Purpose: Decentralized hearing care models facilitated by community health workers (CHWs) can improve access to care in low-income settings. Preset hearing aids, which offer user-selectable pre-developed amplification programs, may support such models, but little is known about their real-world use and alignment with [...] Read more.
Purpose: Decentralized hearing care models facilitated by community health workers (CHWs) can improve access to care in low-income settings. Preset hearing aids, which offer user-selectable pre-developed amplification programs, may support such models, but little is known about their real-world use and alignment with clinical recommendations. Method: This longitudinal study formed part of a feasibility project implementing the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) hearing aid service delivery approach in three low-income South African communities. Adults (≥18 years) with confirmed moderate-to-severe bilateral hearing loss were fitted with preset hearing aids by trained CHWs. Devices offered four preset amplification programs. Participant-driven selections were recorded at four distinct time points: fitting and follow-ups at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months post-fitting. Results: In total, 36 participants (mean age = 76 years, SD = 8.9, range 50–96) were fitted with devices. Although over half (right: 52.8%, left: 58.3%) presented with high-frequency loss, only 34% initially selected the corresponding program. Most participants (80.6%, n = 29) changed their selections at least once over the six months. Significant associations between hearing loss configuration and selection occurred at some time points only in the left ear, but agreement with clinically recommended programs declined from 42% at baseline to 28% at six months. Conclusions: CHW-facilitated hearing aid delivery supports user autonomy in low-resource settings. However, frequent changes and divergence from clinically recommended programs suggest reliance on user-driven trial-and-error adjustments rather than audiometric fit, which may limit long-term benefit. Ongoing, person-centred guidance is needed for the effective use of preset hearing aids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies in Audiology: Advancing Assessment, Intervention, and Accessibility)
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14 pages, 1437 KB  
Article
Increased Listening Effort: Is Hearing Training a Solution?—Results of a Pilot Study on Individualized Computer-Based Auditory Training in Subjects Not (Yet) Fitted with Hearing Aids
by Dominik Péus, Jan-Patric Schmid, Andreas Koj, Andreas Radeloff and Michael Schulte
Audiol. Res. 2025, 15(5), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15050124 - 27 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1242
Abstract
Background: Hearing and cognition decline with age. Hearing is now considered an independent risk factor for later cognitive impairment. Computerized cognitive auditory training is being discussed as a possible adjunctive therapy approach. Objectives: The aim of this exploratory study is to investigate [...] Read more.
Background: Hearing and cognition decline with age. Hearing is now considered an independent risk factor for later cognitive impairment. Computerized cognitive auditory training is being discussed as a possible adjunctive therapy approach. Objectives: The aim of this exploratory study is to investigate how the success of a computer-based cognitive auditory training (CCAT) can be measured. For this purpose, the influence of a CCAT on different dimensions of hearing and cognition was determined. Materials and Methods: 23 subjects between 52 and 77 years old were recruited with normacusis to moderate hearing loss. They underwent 40 digital training lessons at home. Before, during, and after completion, concentration ability with the d2-R, memory (VLMT), subjective hearing impairment (HHI), hearing quality (SSQ12), listening effort in noise (ACALES), and speech understanding in noise (GÖSA) were measured. Results and Discussion: In this uncontrolled, non-randomized study, one of the main findings was that cognitive dimensions, namely processing speed, improved by 12.11 ± 16.40 points (p = 0.006), and concentration performance improved by 12.56 ± 13.50 points (p = 0.001), which were not directly trained in CCAT. Learning performance also improved slightly by 4.00 ± 7.00 (p = 0.019). Subjective hearing handicap significantly reduced by 10.70 ± 12.38 (p = 0.001). There were no significant changes in the SSQ-12 (p = 0.979). Hearing effort improved by 1.79 ± 2.13 dB SPL (p = 0.001), 1.75 ± 2.09 (p = 0.001), and 3.32 ± 3.27 dB (p < 0.001), respectively. Speech understanding in noise did not improve significantly. CCAT is likely to improve several dimensions of hearing and cognition. Controlled future studies are needed to investigate its efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies in Audiology: Advancing Assessment, Intervention, and Accessibility)
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16 pages, 824 KB  
Article
ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot for Cochlear Implant Side Selection: A Preliminary Study
by Daniele Portelli, Sabrina Loteta, Mariangela D’Angelo, Cosimo Galletti, Leonard Freni, Rocco Bruno, Francesco Ciodaro, Angela Alibrandi and Giuseppe Alberti
Audiol. Res. 2025, 15(4), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15040100 - 6 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1508
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being applied in otolaryngology, including cochlear implants (CIs). This study evaluates the accuracy and completeness of ChatGPT-4 and Microsoft Copilot in determining the appropriate implantation side based on audiological and radiological data, as well as the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being applied in otolaryngology, including cochlear implants (CIs). This study evaluates the accuracy and completeness of ChatGPT-4 and Microsoft Copilot in determining the appropriate implantation side based on audiological and radiological data, as well as the presence of tinnitus. Methods: Data from 22 CI patients (11 males, 11 females; 12 right-sided, 10 left-sided implants) were used to query both AI models. Each patient’s audiometric thresholds, hearing aid benefit, tinnitus presence, and radiological findings were provided. The AI-generated responses were compared to the clinician-chosen sides. Accuracy and completeness were scored by two independent reviewers. Results: ChatGPT had a 50% concordance rate for right-side implantation and a 70% concordance rate for left-side implantation, while Microsoft Copilot achieved 75% and 90%, respectively. Chi-square tests showed significant associations between AI-suggested and clinician-chosen sides for both AI (p < 0.05). ChatGPT outperformed Microsoft Copilot in identifying radiological alterations (60% vs. 40%) and tinnitus presence (77.8% vs. 66.7%). Cronbach’s alpha was >0.70 only for ChatGPT accuracy, indicating better agreement between reviewers. Conclusions: Both AI models showed significant alignment with clinician decisions. Microsoft Copilot was more accurate in implantation side selection, while ChatGPT better recognized radiological alterations and tinnitus. These results highlight AI’s potential as a clinical decision support tool in CI candidacy, although further research is needed to refine its application in complex cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies in Audiology: Advancing Assessment, Intervention, and Accessibility)
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Review

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17 pages, 943 KB  
Review
What’s in an App? Scoping Review and Quality Assessment of Clinically Available Hearing-Aid-Connected Apps
by Kate Pfingstgraef, Robin O’Hagan, Jana N. Bataineh and Danielle Glista
Audiol. Res. 2025, 15(6), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15060157 - 13 Nov 2025
Viewed by 574
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mobile health (mHealth) tools, such as smartphone apps, support person-centred care for persons with hearing loss engaging in the hearing aid management process. Hearing-aid-connected apps are increasingly common in audiological care, making it important to evaluate their availability and quality for clinicians, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mobile health (mHealth) tools, such as smartphone apps, support person-centred care for persons with hearing loss engaging in the hearing aid management process. Hearing-aid-connected apps are increasingly common in audiological care, making it important to evaluate their availability and quality for clinicians, developers, and end-users. This scoping review aimed to identify, summarize, and synthesize information on clinically available hearing-aid-connected apps and evaluate their quality. Methods: A search of the Apple App Store (Canada) was conducted in August 2024 to identify current hearing-aid-connected apps that support hearing aid management. Metadata and features were extracted, and app quality was assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). Quality was assessed across four objective domains (engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information) and one subjective domain. Results: Apps had varying levels of metadata detail, including updates, compatibility, and target populations. All apps included common hearing aid controls (e.g., volume adjustment, microphone directionality), while more specialized features (tinnitus management, health tracking, remote clinician support) varied. High-performing apps scored significantly higher in engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and subjective quality, and all apps scored low in information quality, particularly for evidence and credibility. Conclusions: Findings highlight the need for transparent and informative metadata reporting and patient-centred design to improve clinical awareness, usability, and uptake of hearing-aid-connected apps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies in Audiology: Advancing Assessment, Intervention, and Accessibility)
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