Research Articles (Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology)
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/1744
2024-03-29T06:48:17ZContext-specific advancements in service delivery for communication disorders in South Africa
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95363
Context-specific advancements in service delivery for communication disorders in South Africa
Edwards, Anita; Mahomed-Asmail, Faheema; Olivier, Anna-Mari; Van der Linde, Jeannie
No abstract available.
2023-12-20T00:00:00ZEffectiveness of an over-the-counter self-fitting hearing aid compared with an audiologist-fitted hearing aid : a randomized clinical trial
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95350
Effectiveness of an over-the-counter self-fitting hearing aid compared with an audiologist-fitted hearing aid : a randomized clinical trial
De Sousa, K.C. (Karina); Manchaiah, Vinaya; Moore, David R.; Graham, Marien Alet; Swanepoel, De Wet
IMPORTANCE : Hearing loss is a highly prevalent condition, with numerous debilitating consequences when left untreated. However, less than 20% of US adults with hearing loss use hearing aids. Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids became available in October 2022 to improve access and affordability. However, clinical effectiveness studies of available OTC hearing aids using the existing devices in the market are limited.
OBJECTIVE : To compare the clinical effectiveness of a self-fitting OTC hearing aid with remote support and a hearing aid fitted using audiologist-fitted best practices.
DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS : Setting, and Participants This randomized clinical effectiveness trial was conducted between April 14 and August 29, 2022. Sixty-eight adults with self-perceived mild to moderate hearing loss were recruited and randomly assigned to either the self-fitting or the audiologist-fitted group. Following bilateral hearing aid fitting, participants first completed a 2-week, take-home field trial without any support. Access to fine-tuning for both groups was only available after the 2-week trial. Support and adjustment were provided remotely for the self-fitting group per request and by the audiologist for the audiologist-fitted group. Participants were then reassessed after an additional 4-week take-home trial.
INTERVENTIONS : A commercially available self-fitting OTC hearing aid was provided to participants in the self-fitting group who were expected to set up the hearing aids using the commercially supplied instructional material and accompanying smartphone application. In the audiologist-fitted group, audiologists fitted the same hearing aid according to the National Acoustics Laboratories nonlinear version 2 algorithm for prescriptive gain target using real-ear verification with hearing aid use instruction.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES : The primary outcome measure was self-reported hearing aid benefit, measured using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB). Secondary measures included the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) and speech recognition in noise measured using an abbreviated speech-in-noise test and a digits-in-noise test. All measures were completed at baseline and at 2 intervals following hearing aid fitting (2 and 6 weeks).
RESULTS : Sixty-four participants were included in the analytic sample (33 men [51.6%]; mean [SD] age, 63.6 [14.1] years), with equal numbers of participants (n = 32) randomized into each group. The groups did not differ significantly in age (effect size r = −0.2 [95% CI, −0.3 to 0.2]) or 4-frequency pure-tone average (effect size r = 0.2 [95% CI, −0.1 to 0.4]). After the 2-week field trial, the self-fitting group had an initial advantage compared with the audiologist-fitted group on the self-reported APHAB (Cohen d = −0.5 [95% CI, −1.0 to 0]) and IOI-HA (effect size r = 0.3 [95% CI, 0.0-0.5]) but not speech recognition in noise. At the end of the 6-week trial, no meaningful differences were evident between the groups on any outcome measures.
CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE : In this randomized clinical effectiveness trial, self-fitting OTC hearing aids with remote support yielded outcomes at 6 weeks post fitting comparable to those of hearing aids fitted using audiologist best practices. These findings suggest that self-fitting OTC hearing aids may provide an effective intervention for mild to moderate hearing loss.
TRIAL REGISTRATION : ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05337748
DATA SHARING STATEMENT : See Supplement 3.; SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 1 : Trial protocol and statistical analysis plan.; SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 2 : eMETHODS. Probe Tube Verification Using Speech Mapping for the Self-fit (SF) vs Audiologist-Fit (AF) Groups.
eFIGURE 1. Comparison of Prescribed NAL-NL2 Real-Ear Targets and Measured Real-Ear Levels in dB SPL (Blue) for Left and Right Ears Combined.
eFIGURE 2. Distribution of Conventional Pure Tone Audiometric Frequencies Combined Left and Right.
eREFERENCES.; SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 3 : Data Sharing Statement
2023-06-01T00:00:00ZA comparative study of readability, acceptability, and the adaptation of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95334
A comparative study of readability, acceptability, and the adaptation of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus
Gurses, Emre; Beukes, Eldre W.; Cesur, Sıdıka; Andersson, Gerhard; Manchaiah, Vinaya
BACKGROUND : Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy has shown effectiveness in managing chronic tinnitus. Internet-based cognitive
behavioral therapy is currently available in only a few languages (English, Swedish, Spanish, and German). The current study aimed to adapt,
evaluate, and compare the readability and acceptability of the Turkish internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy materials compared to previous
versions.
METHODS : Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy materials were adapted from the preexisting American English to the Turkish population
in a 4-step process: (1) cultural adaptations, (2) acceptability adaptation of materials to the Turkish-speaking population, and (3) literacy-level
adjustments. Experts (n = 11) and patients (n = 11) rated the intervention materials and the ePlatform for acceptability, including usability, content,
presentation, and suitability (4).
RESULTS : Literacy-level adjustments generated acceptable and readability levels of the Turkish version of the internet-based cognitive behavioral
therapy program. The average readability score was 76.15 ± 0.35. The Turkish internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (Mdn: 7.00) was
statistically lower compared to the Swedish (Mdn: 9.00) but higher when compared to the American English and Spanish (Mdn: 5.00) versions.
There were no statistical differences between the British English and Turkish versions in readability scores. Acceptability in the internet-based
cognitive behavioral therapy platform was rated favorably.
CONCLUSION : The Turkish internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy was found to be user-friendly and easy to understand, with navigations
that are straightforward, have clear information, and are supported by audiologists. The readability score of the Turkish internet-based cognitive
behavioral therapy is within recommended limits to ensure comprehensibility. We suggest that an online cognitive behavioral therapy program
is adaptable for other languages for countries with a limited number of clinicians focused on cognitive behavioral therapy and tinnitus.
2023-05-01T00:00:00ZAssociations among medical therapy, self administered exercise, and characteristics of Ménière's disease
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95325
Associations among medical therapy, self administered exercise, and characteristics of Ménière's disease
Pyykko, Ilmari; Pyykko, Nora; Manchaiah, Vinaya
BACKGROUND : The aim of the current study was to explore the associations among different therapeutic procedures, self-administered exercise,
and characteristics of Ménière’s disease.
METHODS : The study used a retrospective design and included 539 people with Ménière’s disease who were focusing on self-administered exercise.
The mean age and history of Ménière’s disease among these participants were 61.9 years and 15.6 years, respectively. Of the participants,
79.5% were female. The data were collected by an electronic questionnaire that focused on symptoms of Ménière’s disease, exercise and training
habits, balance problems, impacts of the complaints, quality of life, medical treatment, physiotherapy, and psychotherapy.
RESULTS : Of the participants, 79.3% used medical treatment. Betahistine (56.8%) was the most popular followed by periodical anti-emetic use
(41.0%) and diuretics (22.4%). Of the participants 70% were doing some self-administered training. The frequency of training depended on age,
severity of balance problems, vestibular drop attacks, and gait problems. The type of training depended on age, quality of life, vestibular drop
attacks, and gait problems. No association was found between vertigo and frequency/type of balance training.
CONCLUSION : The use or effect of therapeutic procedures for Ménière’s disease patients was not related to symptoms experienced. Most participants
with Ménière’s disease used training programs that aimed to alleviate their condition, especially balance-, gait-, and vestibular drop
attack-associated problems. Patient support organizations should be working to help characterize the types of balance disorders people are
dealing with in order to individually tailor a rehabilitation program to the patient’s needs.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS :The authors would like to thank Nina Kallunki at the Finnish
Ménière Federation for helping with the recruitment of study participants
and all study participants for their time.
2023-07-01T00:00:00Z