Article

Auditory disability due to impaired auditory processing (AP) despite
normal pure-tone thresholds is common after stroke, and it leads to isolation,
reduced quality of life and physical decline. There are currently no proven
remedial interventions for AP deficits in stroke patients.
This is the first
study to investigate the benefits of personal frequency-modulated (FM) systems in
stroke patients with disordered AP. METHODS: Fifty stroke patients had baseline
audiological assessments, AP tests and completed the (modified) Amsterdam
Inventory for Auditory Disability and Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly
questionnaires. Nine out of these 50 patients were diagnosed with disordered AP
based on severe deficits in understanding speech in background noise but with
normal pure-tone thresholds. These nine patients underwent spatial
speech-in-noise testing in a sound-attenuating chamber (the "crescent of sound")
with and without FM systems. RESULTS: The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for 50%
correct speech recognition performance was measured with speech presented from 0
degrees azimuth and competing babble from +/-90 degrees azimuth. Spatial release
from masking (SRM) was defined as the difference between SNRs measured with
co-located speech and babble and SNRs measured with spatially separated speech
and babble. The SRM significantly improved when babble was spatially separated
from target speech, while the patients had the FM systems in their ears compared
to without the FM systems. CONCLUSIONS: Personal FM systems may substantially
improve speech-in-noise deficits in stroke patients who are not eligible for
conventional hearing aids. FMs are feasible in stroke patients and show promise
to address impaired AP after stroke. Implications for Rehabilitation This is the
first study to investigate the benefits of personal frequency-modulated (FM)
systems in stroke patients with disordered AP. All cases significantly improved
speech perception in noise with the FM systems, when noise was spatially
separated from the speech signal by 90 degrees compared with unaided listening.
Personal FM systems are feasible in stroke patients, and may be of benefit in
just under 20% of this population, who are not eligible for conventional hearing
aids.

Langue : ANGLAIS