Search Results (30)

Background/Objectives: Spectral resolution is strongly associated with speech perception for adult cochlear implant users, but the developmental trajectory of spectral resolution in childhood is more complex and far less understood. Music-based training presents a unique opportunity to address this gap, as musical stimuli feature spectral complexity and fine frequency cues which map to spectral resolution. This study explored if a 12-week music-based intervention could support better spectral resolution in children with cochlear implants. Methods: Twelve children with cochlear implants participated in this longitudinal, repeated-measures study. The music training intervention consisted of group-based in-person music therapy and a take-home music app. Participants (six boys, six girls; M age = 7.3 years) were pseudo-randomized into an immediate training group (n = 4) or delayed-start waitlisted group (n = 8). Inclusion criteria required bilateral moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, prelingual device fitting, and consistent bilateral device use. Eight children had bilateral CIs and four were bimodal listeners. Results: Spectral resolution perception was significantly enhanced after participating in the music intervention with a mean increase of 2 rpo, F(3, 10.7) = 3.859, p = 0.017. Previous engagement with music and age were not associated with spectral resolution. Conclusions: Despite the known limitations of CIs on spectral resolution, the results of this study indicate that music training can improve spectral resolution perception in children using CIs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hearing loss, coupled with the configurations of hearing devices, adds to the complexity of understanding the subjective and personal implications of losing musical fidelity. Hearing music through assistive listening devices significantly impacts music perception and enjoyment, yet research examining music-related quality of life for late-deafened adults is limited. This study aimed to capture late-deafened adults’ experiences related to music and quality of life. Methods: The study administered a cross-sectional survey designed around three established questionnaires: Cochlear Implant Quality of Life, Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index, and Music Related Quality of Life. It was completed by 116 late-deafened adults (mean age 65.4 years, with an average of 23.1 years of hearing loss). It was hypothesised that the use of different hearing devices would impact music importance, engagement, enjoyment, and related quality of life in disparate ways. To determine if and how quality of life differed between hearing device users, statistical analyses were stratified across a subgroup of 75 participants with bilateral hearing aids (n = 33; musicians n = 18, and non-musicians n = 15), bilateral cochlear implants (n = 21; musicians n = 5, and non-musicians n = 16), and bimodal configurations (n = 21) musicians n = 8, and non-musicians n = 13). Results: Music remained important for most participants (n = 55, 73%) despite hearing loss. However, regardless of music being valued, only 36 (48%) participants enjoyed music “Always” or “Most of the Time”, while 17 (23%) “Rarely” or “Never” enjoyed it. Bilateral hearing aid users reported the highest, and bilateral cochlear implant users the lowest quality-of-life scores. These effects extended to participation in real-world musical activities: hearing aid users attended more live music events, while bilateral cochlear implant users experienced the greatest reduction in musical activities compared to other hearing device users. Conclusions: Musical quality of life is fundamentally about music enjoyment and engagement and how late-deafened adults integrate music into their everyday life. Hearing loss and hearing devices create a profound disconnect between the capacity to enjoy and engage with music. Musicianship did not guarantee better musical enjoyment or engagement. However, musicians demonstrated greater perseverance when enjoyment was limited, in the hope of improvement. Understanding this allows clinicians to develop effective rehabilitation strategies tailored to different hearing devices and musicianship abilities and set realistic expectations. Full article

Background: Dental professionals are routinely exposed to occupational noise from high-speed handpieces and ultrasonic scalers, with levels that can reach up to 90 dB(A). While such exposure is suspected to affect cochlear function, objective assessments in this population remain limited. This study investigated short-term changes in distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) as a biomarker of outer hair cell (OHC) function following routine clinical dental procedures. Methods: DPOAEs were recorded at frequencies from 1000 to 6000 Hz in young dental professionals with clinically normal hearing. Measurements were obtained at three time points: prior to dental procedures (baseline), immediately after exposure (3–5 min post-procedure), and at a 48-h (follow-up). Participants were stratified into two groups based on exposure profile: those exposed to occupational dental noise alone (Group 1) and those with concurrent use of personal listening devices (PLDs) in addition to occupational exposure (Group 2). Results: A significant reduction in DPOAE amplitudes was observed immediately following dental procedures in both groups, indicating an acute effect on OHC function. This reduction was more pronounced in Group 1 (PLD users) compared to Group 2 (occupational noise only). Amplitudes returned to baseline levels at the 48-h follow-up in both groups, confirming the transient nature of the effect. The absence of significant Frequency × Time interactions indicates that the observed amplitude reductions were broadly distributed across the tested frequency range rather than confined to a specific spectral region. Conclusions: Routine clinical dental procedures can induce transient, measurable changes in cochlear outer hair cell function, detectable by DPOAEs in young professionals with normal audiometric thresholds. Although these changes appear reversible within 48 h, the greater acute response observed in individuals with concurrent personal listening device use suggests that cumulative acoustic exposure may increase cochlear susceptibility. These findings support the integration of objective cochlear monitoring into occupational health surveillance for dental personnel. Full article

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common types of hearing impairment, even though it is preventable. However, awareness and protective behaviors among young adults remain limited. This study explored the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of young adults in Greece regarding exposure to high-noise environments and the risk of NIHL. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 104 participants aged 18–30 years in Patras, Greece. A 27-item questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, patterns of noise exposure, use of personal listening devices, auditory symptoms, and preventive behaviors. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to examine relationships between demographic variables and participants’ responses. Results: Most participants (93.3%) recognized that prolonged exposure to high noise levels can harm hearing. However, only 6.7% reported having regular hearing checks, and almost half (45.2%) had never been tested. Remarkably, 19.2% of participants experienced tinnitus, while more than half (54.8%) reported fatigue after exposure to loud sounds. Younger participants (aged 18–22 years) were significantly more likely to listen at high volumes compared to older groups (p < 0.05). Males reported higher rates of tinnitus and ear discomfort, whereas females more often experienced headaches. Although general awareness of NIHL was high, preventive behaviors such as using hearing protection were rarely practiced. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for targeted educational campaigns and preventive screening programs to promote safe listening practices and reduce the overall prevalence of NIHL. Full article

Background: Traditional audiological assessment often does not properly reflect the challenges experienced by cochlear implant (CI) users in complex listening environments. Deficits in speech recognition and sound localization ability persist despite clinically satisfactory audiometric thresholds. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of acoustic environment complexity on speech recognition and sound localization ability in CI users compared to normal-hearing (NH) individuals and to assess subjective auditory performance using validated questionnaires. Methods: Thirty-four unilateral CI users and fifty NH participants were evaluated in a sound environment audiometric room equipped with an eight-speaker 360° array. The variables examined were pure-tone average (PTA), word recognition score (WRS) in quiet and noise (sea, traffic, cafeteria), sound localization ability, and the SSQ-12 auditory quality questionnaire. Correlation, regression, and MANOVA analyses examined associations among objective and subjective outcomes. Results: CI users exhibited significantly lower WRS in quiet and noise conditions, reduced sound localization, and decreased SSQ-12 scores compared to NH participants, with performance declining as noise complexity increased. Pre-implant PTA was the strongest predictor of post-implant speech recognition. No significant differences were observed between unilateral CI users and those with bimodal fittings. The SSQ-12 questionnaire correlated with objective measures, supporting its clinical relevance. Conclusions: CI users exhibit persistent deficits in ecologically valid listening conditions not demonstrated by standard audiometry. Integrating sound field testing and validated hearing quality questionnaires may provide a more comprehensive assessment to guide personalized rehabilitation and device programming. Full article

Background/Objectives: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a growing public health concern, particularly with the widespread use of personal listening devices (PLDs). Limited evidence exists on NIHL awareness and risk factors in the Northern Border Region of Saudi Arabia. This study assessed awareness of NIHL associated with headphone use, identified associated risk factors and preventive attitudes, and interpreted the findings using the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the COM-B framework. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 462 adults (18–60 years) using a validated online questionnaire distributed via social media. The collected data included demographics, PLD utilization, manifestations of hearing loss, knowledge, attitudes, and risk factors. Analysis included descriptive statistics and mapping results to HBM and COM-B constructs. Results: Among respondents, 54.3% were male, and 61.9% held a university degree. Additionally, 40.7% regularly used headphones/earphones, and 53.9% reported exposure to workplace noise. Overall, 74.7% noted at least one symptom of hearing loss, and 42.4% experienced tinnitus. Age, smoking, chronic disease, family history, workplace noise, and PLD use frequency/duration were significantly associated with hearing loss problems (all p < 0.05). While 78.4% recognized high-volume risk, only 58.0% believed NIHL is preventable. Social media was the primary source of information, and most participants favored device- or behavior-based interventions. Model-based analysis revealed gaps in perceived susceptibility and behavioral capability. Conclusions: Despite moderate general awareness, substantial knowledge gaps and unsafe listening behaviors persist. Integration of HBM and COM-B analysis highlights the need for tailored public health approaches and multifaceted NIHL prevention strategies. Full article

Background: Recreational noise exposure from personal listening devices (PLDs) may lead to hidden hearing loss (HHL), affecting auditory nerve function despite normal pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and otoacoustic emissions (OAE). Subclinical auditory damage at the synaptic level often goes undetected by conventional assessments, emphasizing the need for more sensitive measures. Recorded click ABR in the presence of various levels of ipsilateral maskers for the better identification of auditory damage at the synaptic level. These results could help to develop a better objective diagnostic tool that can detect hidden hearing loss. Objective: To examine the effects of PLD usage on extended high-frequency audiometric thresholds and on click-evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABR) with and without ipsilateral masking in individuals with normal hearing. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five young adults aged 18–35 years (18 PLD users, 17 controls) with clinically normal hearing were recruited. Extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA) was conducted from 9 to 16 kHz. Click-evoked ABRs were recorded at 80 dB nHL under unmasked and ipsilateral broadband noise-masked conditions at 50, 60, and 70 dB SPL. ABR analyses included absolute and relative amplitude (V/I) and latencies of waves I, III, and V. Results: PLD users demonstrated significantly elevated extended high-frequency thresholds compared to controls. ABR analyses revealed reduced Wave I amplitudes across stimulus conditions in PLD users, while Wave V amplitudes were largely preserved, resulting in consistently higher V/I amplitude ratios under masked conditions. No group differences were observed for Wave III amplitudes or absolute/interpeak latencies, except for a modest prolongation of I–III latency at one masker level in PLD users. Conclusions: Conventional audiological tests may not detect early auditory damage; however, extended high-frequency audiometry and ABR with ipsilateral masking demonstrate greater sensitivity in identifying noise-induced functional changes within the auditory brainstem pathways. Full article

Karen Tei Yamashita’s Tropic of Orange (1997) and Paul Beatty’s The White Boy Shuffle (1996) evoke the act of listening to music as a way to dismantle stereotypical representations of urban resistance and to paint a diverse picture of how communities throughout Los Angeles were impacted by unrest in 1992. From Yamashita’s Buzzworm, a character always tuned into the radio, to Beatty’s Nicholas Scoby, the protagonist’s best friend who is on a mission to listen to every jazz song ever made, these writers render secondary characters who are most concerned with the consumption of music and the act of listening as a form of culture sharing. In fact, these characters utilize portable devices, particularly the Walkman, to bring personal music and media consumption into public spaces. In this paper, I argue that characters like Buzzworm and Scoby facilitate the creation of specific sonic textures that allow authors to break down artificial barriers of racial representation in the aftermath of urban unrest. These writers highlight the act of listening in order to limn the cross-cultural impact that the 1992 unrest had throughout the Southern California region. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study examined the effect of sound preference on loudness tolerance (LTLs) and preferred listening levels (PLLs) using personal listening devices (PLDs). The implication of this relationship on hearing health promotion counseling and practices using PLDs is discussed. Methods: Participants were 50 individuals, aged 21 to 90 years, with normal hearing or hearing loss. Listeners rated several sound samples (i.e., music, running speech, and machinery noise) played through a PLD using earphones according to their sound preference (i.e., enjoyable, acceptable, and unpleasant) and then self-adjusted the volume setting to their LTL and PLL for a sound sample in each sound preference category. Results: Most listeners judged music (70%) as enjoyable, running speech (54%) as acceptable, and machinery noise (84%) as unpleasant. No significant differences were found in LTLs according to sound preference, but PLLs for enjoyable sounds occurred at significantly higher levels compared with those deemed acceptable or unpleasant. Conclusions: Listeners using PLDs perceived LTLs and PLLs differently according to their sound preferences. PLLs occurred at significantly higher volumes for sounds deemed enjoyable when using PLDs. The implication is that hearing health counseling should include information to PLD users on the potential of altered loudness perception with enjoyable sounds, which may lead to higher and riskier PLD listening levels. Full article

IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks (6LoWPAN) are specifically designed for applications that require lower data rates and reduced power consumption in wireless internet connectivity. In the context of 6LoWPAN, Internet of Things (IoT) devices with limited resources can now seamlessly connect to the network using IPv6. This study focuses on examining the performance and power consumption of routing protocols in the context of 6LoWPAN, drawing insights from prior research and utilizing simulation techniques. The simulation involves the application of routing protocols, namely Routing Protocol for Low-power and Lossy (RPL) Networks, Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV), Lightweight On-demand Ad hoc Distance-vector Next Generation (LOADng), implemented through the Cooja simulator. The simulation also runs in different network topologies to gain an insight into the performance of the protocols in the specific topology including random, linear, and eclipse topology. The raw data gathered from the tools including Powertrace and Collect-View were then analyzed with Python code to transfer into useful information and visualize the graph. The results demonstrate that the power consumption, specifically CPU power, Listen Power, and Total Consumption Power, will increase with the incremental of motes. The result also shows that RPL is the most power-efficient protocol among the scenarios compared to LOADng and AODV. The result is helpful because it brings insights into the performance, specifically power consumption in the 6LoWPAN network. This result is valuable to further implement these protocols in the testbed as well as provide an idea of the algorithmic enhancements. Full article

The misuse of personalized listening devices (PLDs) resulting in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has become a public health concern, especially among youths, including medical students. The occupational use of PLDs that produce high-intensity sounds amplifies the danger of cochlear deterioration and high-frequency NIHL especially when used in noisy environments. This study aims to evaluate the incidence and trends of NIHL among medical students using PLDs. Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of high-frequency NIHL among PLD-using medical students. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire covering details on PLD usage, exposure to noisy environments, and hearing difficulties was used to gather the data required. Conventional pure-tone audiometry with extended high-frequency audiometry was preceded by routine clinical evaluation using tuning fork tests and otoscopic examination for hearing loss assessment and to rule out middle-ear pathology. Hearing impairment was determined and categorized according to the Goodman and Clark classification system (250 Hz to 8000 kHz). SPSS version 21 was used in the analysis of the frequency data collected. Results: Out of 100 participants, using conventional PTA, 33% were found to have hearing loss, with 42.9% of males and 23.5% of females affected. Bilateral hearing loss was seen in 36.4% of the cases. Left-sided hearing loss was found to be more common (28%). The duration of usage of PLD had a significant correlation with hearing loss with a p-value < 0.0001. Hearing thresholds were significantly elevated at 16 kHz and 18 kHz in both the right and left ear. Conclusions: The high prevalence of PLD misuse among medical students is a major risk factor for NIHL. To help combat chronic hearing loss, students need to be educated about safe listening levels that can prevent further damage to the cochlea and auditory system. Full article

The realm of immersive sound technologies in modern industries is evolving every day. Two-channel recordings using personalized HRIRs or BRIRs, which are tailored to the unique anatomical features of individual listeners, significantly enhance the spatial accuracy and naturalness of sound, providing a highly immersive auditory experience. This paper discusses the importance of immersive sound and the externalization effect in recreating the acoustic environment. The paper also presents techniques for obtaining two-channel immersive renderings in a few different ways. The main focus is the integration of immersive audio in new technologies in the wide-ranging audio industry, from telecommunication, through applications for musicians, virtual reality scenarios, and hearing devices. In summary, this paper highlights the huge potential of personalized BRIRs in creating immersive two-channel recordings, offering substantial benefits across various industries by improving the realism and effectiveness of each auditory experience on its own. Full article

Exer-games are interactive experiences in which participants engage in physical exercises to achieve specific goals. Some of these games have a collaborative nature, wherein the actions and achievements of one participant produce immediate effects on the experiences of others. Music serves as a stimulus that can be integrated into these games to influence players’ emotions and, consequently, their actions. In this paper, a framework of music services designed to enhance collaborative exer-games is presented. These services provide the necessary functionality to generate personalized musical stimuli that regulate players’ affective states, induce changes in their physical performance, and improve the game experience. The solution requires to determine the emotions that each song may evoke in players. These emotions are considered when recommending the songs that are used as part of stimuli. Personalization seeds based on players’ listening histories are also integrated in the recommendations in order to foster the effects of those stimuli. Emotions and seeds are computed from the information available in Spotify data services, one of the most popular commercial music providers. Two small-scale experiments present promising preliminary results on how the players’ emotional responses match the affective information included in the musical elements of the solution. The added value of these affective services is that they are integrated into an ecosystem of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and cloud computing resources to support the development of a new generation of emotion-based exer-games. Full article

Introduction: Hearing loss in childhood compromises a child’s auditory, linguistic, and social skill development. Stimulation and early intervention through therapy and the use of personal sound amplification devices (PSAPs) are important for improving communication. Purpose: To verify the effectiveness of speech therapy intervention on the auditory and linguistic skills of Brazilian children aged between 6 and 8 years using PSAPs. Methods: Experimental study analyzing the intervention process in children aged between 6 and 8 years with mild to severe bilateral hearing loss and prelingual deafness who are PSAP users. Diagnostic information was analyzed, and assessments and interventions were carried out using the Glendonald Auditory Screening Procedure (GASP), a phoneme discrimination test with figures (TFDF), an expressive language category classification test, and an Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) questionnaire. Results: Sixteen children participated in the study; they were divided into a control group (CG) of six children and an intervention group (IG) of ten children. All research subjects underwent two protocol application sessions, and the IG underwent six speech therapy intervention sessions. In the IT-MAIS, the CG had a 9% increase in score, and the IG had an increase of 3% after intervention. The TFDF obtained a 5% increase in the IG in terms of phonemic discrimination ability. The expressive language category classification tests and GASP were considered not sensitive enough to modify the parameters of auditory and linguistic skills. Conclusions: The study found a significant improvement amongst the IG in the TFDF protocol and an increase in IT-MAIS scores in both groups. Full article

This study uses machine learning to perform the hearing test (audiometry) processes autonomously with EEG signals. Sounds with different amplitudes and wavelengths given to the person tested in standard hearing tests are assigned randomly with the interface designed with MATLAB GUI. The person stated that he heard the random size sounds he listened to with headphones but did not take action if he did not hear them. Simultaneously, EEG (electro-encephalography) signals were followed, and the waves created in the brain by the sounds that the person attended and did not hear were recorded. EEG data generated at the end of the test were pre-processed, and then feature extraction was performed. The heard and unheard information received from the MATLAB interface was combined with the EEG signals, and it was determined which sounds the person heard and which they did not hear. During the waiting period between the sounds given via the interface, no sound was given to the person. Therefore, these times are marked as not heard in EEG signals. In this study, brain signals were measured with Brain Products Vamp 16 EEG device, and then EEG raw data were created using the Brain Vision Recorder program and MATLAB. After the data set was created from the signal data produced by the heard and unheard sounds in the brain, machine learning processes were carried out with the PYTHON programming language. The raw data created with MATLAB was taken with the Python programming language, and after the pre-processing steps were completed, machine learning methods were applied to the classification algorithms. Each raw EEG data has been detected by the Count Vectorizer method. The importance of each EEG signal in all EEG data has been calculated using the TF-IDF (Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency) method. The obtained dataset has been classified according to whether people can hear the sound. Naïve Bayes, Light Gradient Strengthening Machine (LGBM), support vector machine (SVM), decision tree, k-NN, logistic regression, and random forest classifier algorithms have been applied in the analysis. The algorithms selected in our study were preferred because they showed superior performance in ML and succeeded in analyzing EEG signals. Selected classification algorithms also have features of being used online. Naïve Bayes, Light Gradient Strengthening Machine (LGBM), support vector machine (SVM), decision tree, k-NN, logistic regression, and random forest classifier algorithms were used. In the analysis of EEG signals, Light Gradient Strengthening Machine (LGBM) was obtained as the best method. It was determined that the most successful algorithm in prediction was the prediction of the LGBM classification algorithm, with a success rate of 84%. This study has revealed that hearing tests can also be performed using brain waves detected by an EEG device. Although a completely independent hearing test can be created, an audiologist or doctor may be needed to evaluate the results. Full article