Speech Perception Benefits of FM and Infrared Devices to Children With Hearing Aids in a Typical Classroom
By Anderson, Karen L.; Goldstein, Howard; Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 169-184Publication Date: April 2004
Study conducted to compare the speech recognition capabilities of children who are hard of hearing when using hearing aids with each of three FM or infrared devices. Eight nine- to twelve-year-old children with mild to severe hearing loss repeated Hearing in Noise Test sentence lists under controlled conditions in a typical kindergarten classroom. Seven of the eight participants wore Phonakâs Novo Forte 3 hearing aids, which link with MicroLink ML7 personal FM receivers, also designed by Phonak. The MiroLink receivers connect to hearing aids via direct audio input, and allow students to change frequency modules as they move between different teaching environments. Novo Forte 3 features include a choice of linear and nonlinear signal processing strategies, highly flexible filtering, and other quality and performance settings. The three amplification systems tested were as follows: (1) a TeachLogic infared sound field system with two speakers mounted at the junction of the ceiling and wall, (2) an LES 390 Desktop SoundPak personal sound field system from LightSpeed Technology, which is a small self-contained unit similar to a computer speaker with high-fidelity speech replication, and (3) a Phonak MicroLink personal FM system, as previously described. The infrared ceiling sound field system did not provide benefits beyond that provided by hearing aids alone. Desktop and personal FM systems in combination with personal hearing aids provided substantial improvements in speech recognition.
Assistive Products Discussed: PHONAK MICROLINK
Published by: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (Website:http://www.asha.org)
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J47644
