A Pediatric Comparison of Remote Microphone Technologies

A Pediatric Comparison of Remote Microphone Technologies

Speech intelligibility will be evaluated for school age children with hearing loss in a simulated classroom environment, using Phonak hearing aids and receivers and two different microphone transmitters: a Roger Touchscreen mic and a fixed directional microphone.

Speech intelligibility will be evaluated for school age children with hearing loss in a simulated classroom environment, using Phonak hearing aids and receivers and two different microphone transmitters: a Roger Touchscreen mic and a fixed directional microphone. The simulated classroom environment will include a teacher condition, in which speech is presented from a distance in front of the participant, and a small-group condition, in which speech is presented randomly from three different speakers around the participant. Both conditions will have diffuse background noise, and the various SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) levels will be tested.

Subjective preference and fatigue questionnaires will also be collected from the participants after the use of each transmitter.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy middle and outer ear
• Mild, moderate or moderate-severe binaural sensorineural hearing loss
• Minimum AZ Bio score of 70% at 60 dB in quiet
• Experienced hearing aid users (6+ months)
• Able to read and follow directions
• English speakers with ability to communicate easily

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active middle ear infection
• Temporary or unilateral hearing loss
• Unable to follow verbal directions
• Unable to communicate easily
• Unable to tolerate the physical fit of the hearing aids