Auditory and Vestibular Research

Enhanced Digital Acoustic Perception in Hearing Aid Device Using Reconfigurable Filter Bank Structure: A Systematic Review with Recommendation

2025-03-05T17:38:44+00:00

Background and Aim: Untreated hearing loss can severely impact quality of life, mental and physical health, and cognitive performance. Digital hearing aids can mitigate these effects, with the filter bank being a crucial component. It divides signals into frequency bands, compresses, amplifies, and processes speech based on the user’s hearing profile. This study focused on optimizing filter bank architecture in terms of hardware cost, processing speed, and adaptability to enhance the efficiency of digital hearing aids.

Recent Findings: Each filter bank in digital hearing aids relies on Finite Impulse Respons (FIR) filters, and optimizing their architecture is crucial for optimal device performance. Literature suggests that reconfigurable digital FIR filters are preferred for filter bank structures. However, their performance may vary based on specifications such as filter length, bandwidth, sampling frequency, and coefficients. Therefore, this review aimed to identify an optimized reconfigurable FIR filter design that improves hearing aid performance while ensuring its parameters remain independent of these specifications.

Conclusion: A hardware-efficient, optimized, and adaptable parallel computing architecture for hearing aid filter banks has been identified from the literature survey. This proposed architecture features reconfigurable sub-band frequencies tailored to the user’s specific hearing loss, utilizing a Coefficient Scanning Mechanism (CSM) and Floating Point-Computation Sharing High-speed Mechanism (FP-CSHM). The CSM dynamically adjusts sub-band selection and reorganizes the FIR structure in each filter bank to reduce multiplication counts based on coefficient matching. The FP-CSHM enhances computation speed by eliminating redundant calculations through parallel processing.

Keywords: Hearing aid; hearing loss; audiogram; hearing threshold

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire and Its Correlation with Psychoacoustic Parameters in Patients with Chronic Subjective Tinnitus

2025-03-05T17:38:42+00:00

Background and Aim: Acceptance of tinnitus may influence the perceived intensity and the distress it causes. The Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire (TAQ) is a useful tool for assessing tinnitus acceptance. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the TAQ (P-TAQ) and determine the correlation of its scores with psychoacoustic measures in patients with chronic tinnitus.

Methods: After translation and confirming face validity, 85 patients with chronic tinnitus completed the P-TAQ, along with the Persian versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). To determine the reliability, the P-TAQ was completed by 30 patients after two weeks. Psychoacoustic parameters including pitch matching, loudness matching, and Minimum Masking Level (MML) were measured for all patients.

Results: The P-TAQ had high face validity. The internal consistency was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha (α=0.92). The interclass correlation coefficient (0.994) confirmed reliability. A strong negative correlation was found between the total P-TAQ score and total THI score (p<0.001, r=–0.788), and the scores of the HADS subscales of anxiety (p<0.001, r=–0.623) and depression (p<0.001, r=–0.728). The total P-TAQ score showed a weak negative correlation with tinnitus loudness (p=0.003, r=–0.322) and PTA of both ears (r=– 0.223, p=0.040). There was no significant correlation between the total P-TAQ score and the factors of age, tinnitus duration, tinnitus pitch, or MML.

Conclusion: The P-TAQ has excellent validity and reliability. Therefore, it can be used to assess tinnitus acceptance among Persian-speaking patients with chronic tinnitus.

Keywords: Acceptance; tinnitus; tinnitus annoyance; tinnitus acceptance questionnaire

The Perception of Pitch Contours in Typically Developing Children with and without Musical Training

2025-03-05T17:38:40+00:00

Background and Aim: Musical training causes neuroplasticity changes which are transferred to other modalities like- audition, cognition. All the musical tests use musical stimuli, which can be challenging for children without musical training due to the unfamiliarity of the stimuli. Dynamic stimuli like pitch contours, mimic musical stimuli. Hence the present study aimed to investigate the perception of pitch contour for different tonal stimuli in typically developing children with and without musical training.

Methods: Children aged 9–13 years were categorized into two groups: Group I (with formal musical training) and Group II (without musical training). Musical abilities were assessed using the Montreal Battery for Evaluation of Music Abilities (MBEMA) test, with melody, rhythm, and memory subtests. The melody and rhythm subtests had discrimination of musical tones, while the memory subtest had identification of familiar melodies from previous subtests. Pitch contours for tonal stimulus were generated using PRAAT software. These contours consisted of tone sweeps representing nine patterns (rising, rising-flat, rising-falling, flat, flat-rising, flat-falling, falling, falling-flat, and falling-rising) for 500 Hz, 1, and 2 kHz tones. Children were familiarized with these contours and tested using closed- set identification task using DMDX software.

Results: Group I outperformed Group II in both musical ability and pitch contour identification tests. MANOVA revealed significant differences in MBEMA and pitch contour identification between the groups.

Conclusion: The contour perception of the different pitch shows evident differences induced by musical training. It is proposed to assess the musical ability of the individual with the tonal pitch contours.

Keywords: Perception; pitch contours; musical training

Development of the Persian Listening in Spatialized Noise Sentence Test: A Preliminary Study

2025-03-05T17:38:37+00:00

Background and Aim: Listening in Spatialized Noise Sentence (LiSN-S) is one of the auditory processing disorder test battery that specifically diagnose spatial processing disorders. This research aimed to develop The Persian version of the LiSN-S, for assessing auditory processing disorders in the Persian speakers’ population.

Methods: The PLiSN-S test was developed based on its original Australian version. The speech stimuli were convolved with Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) to generate speech in the presence of spatialized noise. In total, 120 target sentences (consisting of five 1-3-syllable words) and competing stories were presented in four conditions. These included the Same Voice co-located condition (SV0°), Different Voice co-located condition (DV0°), Same Voice separated condition (SV±90°), and Different Voice separated condition (DV±90°). Then, data from 30 adults aged 18–23 with normal hearing were obtained.

Results: The results from the normal-hearing subjects showed that the Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) scores, expressed as Signal to Noise Ratios (SNR), varied across the four conditions (SV0°, DV0° SV±90°, DV±90°) the highest and lowest SRTs belonged to the first and last conditions, respectively. The amount of advantage in all conditions was lower than in the previously published English versions.

Conclusion: Considering the impact of spatial separation on the SRTs, PLiSN-S appears to be an effective tool for measuring spatial processing skills.

Keywords: Auditory stream segregation; spatial hearing; speech in noise

Temporal Fine Structure and Working Memory Abilities on Deciding the Probable Compression Speed in Hearing Aids

2025-03-05T17:38:35+00:00

Background and Aim: Temporal Fine Structure (TFS) sensitivity and Working Memory (WM) abilities have been widely studied individually as the contributing factors for deciding compression speed in hearing aids. The study aimed to develop a clinical framework for setting optimal compression speed using combination of TFS sensitivity and WM abilities.

Methods: Participants were 25 native Kannada-speaking adults (mean age 70 years). We evaluated the participant’s TFS sensitivity using the TFS -Adaptive Frequency (AF) and WM abilities using reading span test. Further, aided sentence recognition in noise was tested to obtain find the signal-to-noise ratio 50% (SNR 50) correct identification happens in Fast Acting Compression (FAC) and Slow Acting Compression (SAC) modes.

Results: Individuals with good TFS sensitivity demonstrated significantly lower SNR 50 scores with FAC and individuals with poor WM showed significantly lower SNR 50 with SAC. However, individuals with poor TFS sensitivity and individuals with good WM ability showed no significance on SNR 50 obtained between FAC and SAC. A strong negative correlation existed between TFS sensitivity and SNR 50 in both SAC and FAC modes even after accounting for WM abilities. There was a mild negative correlation between WM abilities and SNR 50 in FAC mode only, but this was not significant after accounting for TFS sensitivity.

Conclusion: Using the results of the present study along with the literature findings, a clinical framework was devised to enable the selection of appropriate compression speed for optimal speech understanding with hearing aids.

Keywords: Release time; amplification; speech in noise; elderly; hearing-impaired

The Efficacy of the Gans Repositioning Maneuver in Comparison with the Epley Maneuver in Elderly Patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

2025-03-05T17:38:33+00:00

Background and Aim: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) impacts the quality of life of affected people, especially the elderly. The Epley maneuver and the Gans maneuver are used to treat Posterior Canal BPPV (PC-BPPV). The effectiveness of the Epley maneuver has been verified, but further studies are required to prove the effectiveness of the Gans maneuver. The main purpose of the current study was to compare the effectiveness of the Gans maneuver with the Epley maneuver in the treatment of the elderly with PC-BPPV, considering emotional, physical, and functional symptoms by assessing anxiety, dizziness, and quality of life after treatment.

Methods: Sixty-three elderly patient (74.38±5.34 years) with unilateral PC-BPPV were recruited in this study. They were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group received the Gans maneuver, and the control group received the Epley maneuver. All patients completed the Persian version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Vestibular Rehabilitation Benefit Questionnaire (VRBQ) before, 48 hours and 1 month after treatment. Recurrence rate was assessed after the 2-month follow up.

Results: Significant differences were observed between pre-treatment and post-treatment questionnaire outcomes for both study groups; nevertheless, in each phase of the study, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the DHI and VRBQ scores.

Conclusion: Both the Gans maneuver and Epley maneuver were almost equally effective and made elderly with PC-BPPV report a better condition in terms of anxiety, emotional factors and quality of life after receiving the maneuvers.

Keywords: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo; Epley maneuver; Gans repositioning maneuver

Is There a Relationship between Sound Localization and Speech Processing Speed in the Elderly with Normal Hearing?

2025-03-05T17:38:31+00:00

Background and Aim: Many older adults experience difficulty in speech perception in noisy environments and fast speech. Speech perception is dependent on bottom-up and top-down auditory processing information. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Interaural Time Difference (ITD) and speech processing speed in older adults with difficulty in speech perception in noise.

Methods: In this study, 36 Iranian older adults with normal hearing (23 men and 13 women) aged 65–75 years who had complaints about the difficulty with speech perception in noise, participated. The ITD test with two stimuli (high-pass and low-pass noise) was used to asess the auditory localization ability. Time-Compressed Speech Test (TCST) and reaction time test were used to measure their speech processing speed. Pearson correlation test was performed to examine the relationship between ITD and speech processing speed.

Results: The auditory localization errors were more significant for ITDs with low-pass noise than high-pass noise. The results showed a negative correlation between localization errors and the TCST score at time compression ratios of 40% (p=0.005) and 60% (p=0.002). The highest correlation was observed between ITD (low-pass noise) and the TCST score at the time compression ratio of 60% in the right ear (r=–0.66). The mean ITD errors were not significantly correlated to the reaction time test score (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Word recognition in the elderly declines with increasing speech rate. The findings of this study can be used in clinical practice for consultation and rehabilitation of older adults with communication difficulties.

Keywords: Sound localization; speed processing; speech perception; elderly

Development of the Persian Staggered Spondaic Word Test with Perceptual Simultaneity: Validity, Reliability, and Normative Data

2025-03-05T17:38:29+00:00

Background and Aim: The Persian Staggered Spondaic Word (P-SSW) test has been developed as a tool for identifying auditory processing disorders in Persian speakers. Utilizing the concept of perceptual simultaneity, the test was rigorously examined for psychometric reliability. Normative data were established, confirming its validity and suitability for clinical use in Persian-speaking populations.

Methods: The test was developed by optimizing the materials and using perceptual simultaneity. The test psychometric properties were also assessed and the test-retest reliability was evaluated after four weeks. This study recruited 380 participants. 24 experts evaluated the content validity. 42 individuals provided comments for the face validity verification. 213 healthy individuals were recruited to evaluate the psychometric properties.

Results: The content and face validity were confirmed. Insignificant differences were observed between the two genders. Significant differences were found in the total score and different conditions among specific age groups. Significant and positive correlations were observed between the test and retest scores (r>0.8).

Conclusion: Auditory processing can be assessed in Persian speakers using the P-SSW test as a valid and reliable instrument. Perceptual simultaneity might be the most appropriate technique to develop this test given the potential effects of other methods on the results.

Keywords: Development; staggered spondaic words test; perceptual simultaneity; auditory processing disorder

Hearing Aid Outcome Measures and Auditory Processing in Elderly Users of Binaural Amplification

2025-03-05T17:38:26+00:00

Background and Aim: Generally, peripheral hearing loss in the elderly is associated with decreased auditory processing ability. Researchers have drawn attention to the role of auditory processing in the success of hearing amplification. The present study investigates the relationship between auditory processing and benefit and satisfaction of binaural hearing aids in the elderly.

Methods: Forty-seven elderly users (aged 58–85 years) of binaural hearing aids, all of whom exhibited symmetrically mild to moderate sensory-neural hearing loss, completed the questionnaires of International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) and Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and the Persian version of Words-in- Noise (WIN) and two-pair Dichotic Digits (DD) tests.

Results: Signal-to-Noise Ratio-50% (SNR-50) and Non-Dominant Ear Score (NDES) collectively explained 16% of the binaural hearing aid benefit variance. NDES accounted for 14% of the variance observed in satisfaction.

Conclusion: Binaural hearing aid benefit and satisfaction in the elderly were not similarly related to auditory processing abilities. NDES alone is a weak but significant predictor of satisfaction and in combination with WIN SNR-50 is a moderate predictor of benefit.

Keywords: Hearing aid; dichotic listening; speech perception in noise; satisfaction; benefit;elderly

Effect of Acute and Chronic Salicylate Induced Tinnitus on Social Interactions and Aggressive Behaviors in Male Rats

2025-03-05T17:38:24+00:00

Background and Aim: Many people with tinnitus have significant difficulties in social interactions. It is not clear whether impaired social interactions are a direct consequence of tinnitus or not. Due to the possibility of controlling longitudinal data in animal studies (pre- and post-tinnitus induction and duration), this study aimed to examine the effects of acute and chronic salicylate induced tinnitus on social interactions and aggressive behaviors in rats.

Methods: In this study, 28 male Wistar rats with normal hearing were divided into two groups: acute tinnitus (7 received saline, and 7 received single dose of 400 mg/kg salicylate) and chronic tinnitus (7 received saline, and 7 received 400 mg/kg salicylate for 14 consecutive days). The auditory brainstem response, pre-pulse inhibition of acoustic startle, gap pre-pulse inhibition, and social interaction tests were conducted at baseline, 6 hours after salicylate injection in the acute group and one day after salicylate injection in the chronic group.

Results: The gap pre-pulse inhibition of acoustic startle significantly decreased after both acute and chronic salicylate toxicity. Following number and time and struggling number and time after salicylate injection were significantly different in both groups, while Sniffing, wounding, attacking and fisting numbers significantly increased only in the chronic salicylate group. Results of saline group were not significant.

Conclusion: Tinnitus caused by either acute or chronic salicylate toxicity may have an effect on social and aggressive behaviors. Since rats’ aggressive behaviors increased following chronic tinnitus induction, it can be said that the duration of tinnitus is also effective.

Keywords: Tinnitus; salicylate; pre-pulse inhibition; social interaction test; aggressive behavior

Gap Detection Threshold in Children with Down Syndrome: A Brief Report

2025-03-05T17:38:21+00:00

Background and Aim: Auditory discrimination is one of reasons for low performance of phonological processing in people with Down syndrome. This study aims to evaluate the auditory discrimination performance of children with Down syndrome to explore a reason for deficit in phonological processing in these children.

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 16 Persian-speaking elementary school male students with Down syndrome participated. Phonetic gap detection test was used to evaluate their auditory temporal threshold. They were asked to discriminate the sounds of six syllables at 20, 50, 100, 200 and 300 ms temporal gaps.

Results: The mean of phonetic gap detection threshold was 246.8 ms, ranged 183.3–300 ms. There was no significant correlation between auditory temporal thresholds and the factors of age or intelligence quotient.

Conclusion: Children with Down syndrome discriminate the sounds of syllables at higher thresholds compared to normal peers examined in previous studies. Increased gap detection threshold may be an underlying cause for low performance of these children in phonological processing.

Keywords: Auditory temporal processing; phonological processing; intellectual disability; working memory; auditory discrimination; auditory acuity