TY - JOUR
T1 - Coupling of FM systems to individuals with unilateral hearing loss
AU - Kopun, J. G.
AU - Stelmachowicz, P. G.
AU - Carney, E.
AU - Schulte, L.
PY - 1992
Y1 - 1992
N2 - This study examined the attenuation characteristics of five FM system sound delivery options for a group of 10 adults and 15 children (5-13 years). Sound delivery options included a tube-fitting, lightweight headphones, a CROS earmold with tubing, a CROS earmold with a snap-ring, and a standard snap-ring earmold with a vent. Attenuation was defined as the difference between probe-tube microphone measures of the ear canal resonance and the SPL in the ear canal with each sound delivery option in place. A statistically significant but clinically inconsequential difference in attenuation for the CROS earmold with tubing was noted between adults and children. No significant differences in attenuation for any of the other sound delivery options were noted between adults and children. An investigation of the relationship between magnitude of attenuation and percentage of the ear canal occluded suggests that degree of occlusion is a major factor in determining degree of attenuation provided by a particular sound delivery option. Results also indicate that significant attenuation of high-frequency signals can occur with earmolds commonly considered nonoccluding. Caution should be used in fitting hearing aids or FM systems to individuals with normal high- frequency hearing sensitivity to prevent attenuation of unamplified high- frequency speech information.
AB - This study examined the attenuation characteristics of five FM system sound delivery options for a group of 10 adults and 15 children (5-13 years). Sound delivery options included a tube-fitting, lightweight headphones, a CROS earmold with tubing, a CROS earmold with a snap-ring, and a standard snap-ring earmold with a vent. Attenuation was defined as the difference between probe-tube microphone measures of the ear canal resonance and the SPL in the ear canal with each sound delivery option in place. A statistically significant but clinically inconsequential difference in attenuation for the CROS earmold with tubing was noted between adults and children. No significant differences in attenuation for any of the other sound delivery options were noted between adults and children. An investigation of the relationship between magnitude of attenuation and percentage of the ear canal occluded suggests that degree of occlusion is a major factor in determining degree of attenuation provided by a particular sound delivery option. Results also indicate that significant attenuation of high-frequency signals can occur with earmolds commonly considered nonoccluding. Caution should be used in fitting hearing aids or FM systems to individuals with normal high- frequency hearing sensitivity to prevent attenuation of unamplified high- frequency speech information.
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U2 - 10.1044/jshr.3501.201
DO - 10.1044/jshr.3501.201
M3 - Article
C2 - 1735969
AN - SCOPUS:0026601520
SN - 0022-4685
VL - 35
SP - 201
EP - 207
JO - Journal of Speech and Hearing Research
JF - Journal of Speech and Hearing Research
IS - 1
ER -