Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Gamification On Audiology Awareness Among Young Adults, Shenque Lester

Doctoral Dissertations

The profession of audiology is projecting a critical shortage of practicing professionals in the near future. Although there are many potential factors that are contributing to this problem, it is generally agreed that audiology as a profession is not readily identified as a career choice by undergraduate students, nor a recognizable healthcare field/service among the general public. Due to the increased instances of hearing loss in the general population as well as the aging of the population and need for audiological services, it is imperative to find an efficient means to improve the awareness of audiology as a potential career …

Acoustical Properties Of Amplified And Unamplified Stethoscopes When Examining Typical Body Sounds, Jeni Abrams Dunnington

Doctoral Dissertations

A stethoscope is intended for three main diagnostic purposes: listening to heart sounds, listening to lung sounds, and determining the presence or absence of bowel sounds (Callahan, Waugh, Matthew, & Granger, 2007). Currently, on the market there are two types of stethoscopes for practitioners to choose: unamplified and amplified stethoscopes. Furthermore, there is little research on the sound pressure levels (SPLs) produced by stethoscopes on the market. Therefore, the current study seeks to measure the SPL produced by various popular unamplified stethoscopes and compare those findings to the SPLs produced by amplified stethoscopes. Secondly, the SPL of selected amplified stethoscopes …

The Effect Of Road Noise On Sound Pressure Levels And Preferred Listening Levels Using Personal Listening Devices, Hayley Himstedt

Doctoral Dissertations

Using a PLD in an automobile introduces unique threats such as volume levels set at higher levels to reduce the masking effects of road noise that enters the automobile. Passengers enjoying prolonged PLD exposure may be at an increased risk of noise exposure or fluctuating sound pressure levels resulting in hearing loss. Historically, hazardous noise has been primarily associated with industrial/occupational activities; however, harmful noise from recreational activities is also prevalent. The Center for Disease Control (2015) lists turning down PLD volume as one of their top three methods for reducing the possibility of NIHL in children. Excessive listening level …

The Effect Of Cost, Benefit, And Level Of Technology On Patient Preference And Satisfaction With Hearing Aids, Lindsay M. Young

Doctoral Dissertations

The present double blind study sought to determine if experienced hearing aid users can differentiate between different levels of hearing aid technology. Specifically, the following research questions were addressed: (1) Are HINT scores affected by level of hearing aid technology for experienced hearing aid users?; 2) Is benefit/satisfaction of hearing aids affected by level of technology for experienced hearing aid users?; and (3) How do hearing aid users rank different levels of technology? If a perceptual difference in hearing aid technology is identified by hearing aid users, participants were asked to identify how money much they would be willing to …

The Effect Of Auditory Processing Abilities On Acceptable Noise Levels, Brandee E. Richardson

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to determine typical acceptable noise levels (ANLs) in children diagnosed with auditory processing disorder (APD) and compare those to ANLs in children without APD. Sixteen participants, eight children with APD and eight children without APD, were administered a complete audiological evaluation and a series of APD tests [Filtered Words, Competing Sentences, and Auditory Figure Ground (0) subtests of the SCAN– 3C; Staggered Spondaic Word test; and Pitch Pattern test] to determine normal or abnormal auditory processing ability. Conventional ANLs were measured on each participant to determine acceptance of background noise. The results …

Ear Specific Anl Measurements In Individuals With Unilateral And Asymmetrical Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Rebecca Howard

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study sought to determine if ANLs differ between ears within subjects with unilateral or asymmetrical SNHL. ANL was measured in four conditions (i.e., binaural, better ear, poorer ear unmasked, and poorer ear masked) in fifteen adults, nine with unilateral SNHL and six with bilateral asymmetrical SNHL. A significant difference between ANL in the four conditions (i.e., binaural, better ear, poorer ear unmasked, and poorer ear masked) was identified; however, the subjects with unilateral and asymmetrical SNHL behaved similarly throughout the testing. When comparing the four conditions, the results showed a significant difference between both the binaural ANL and …

Grant Proposal: Effects Of Sound Field Amplification On Standardized Test Scores, Jessica Ivey Coker

Doctoral Dissertations

Research has shown that the majority of classroom environments lack appropriate acoustical standards to ensure optimal learning conditions. During the early school grades, it is especially crucial that students overcome poor listening environments to obtain the fundamental educational skills necessary for academic success. Furthermore, the State of Louisiana conducts standardized test assessments (LEAP and iLEAP) to measure the students' knowledge and skills gained. These standardized test scores not only determine if the student progresses to the next grade, but also influences the amount of federal revenue and how the revenue is allocated to the schools. A proposed remedy to …

A Comparison Of The Effects Of Soundfield Amplification On Acoustical Characteristics And Word Recognition Performance In Relocatable And Permanent Classrooms, Sarah M. Babin

Doctoral Dissertations

There are three acoustical characteristics that should be addressed when developing a good classroom listening environment: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), reverberation time (RT), and levels of background noise. Previous research has shown that soundfield (SF) amplification systems help to improve these three characteristics, thus improving the classroom listening environment. In the present study, two seventh-grade classrooms were used: one relocatable classroom and one permanent classroom. Acoustical characteristics and speech levels were measured in both classrooms under two amplification conditions (unamplified and amplified). Word recognition abilities of 37 students were also measured under the two amplification conditions in both classrooms. Results showed …

The Effect Of Hearing Aid Program On The Perceived Sound Quality Of Music, Kalyn Kennedy Bradford

Doctoral Dissertations

Hearing loss affects many aspects of people's lives, including both communication and their ability to enjoy music. Currently, however, there is very little research on patient perception of music through hearing aids; therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in the perceived listener satisfaction for music between a standard music program and the commonly used option for programming hearing aids (i.e., an automatic program). Data was collected using fifteen participants with symmetrical mild to moderately-severe sensorineural hearing loss with normal to near normal low frequency hearing. Participants were asked to listen to a …

Effect Of Noise On Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions And Pure-Tone Screening Audiometry, Laura Annette Wade

Doctoral Dissertations

Currently, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends pure-tone audiometry as the preferred audiometric screening method of school-aged children; however, background noise is often present and can result in high referral rate. The current study's goal was to examine the effect of noise on the pass rate on transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) and pure-tone audiometric screening measures. Twenty normal hearing adults (M = 22.85), eighteen females and two males, were screened with TEOAEs and pure-tone audiometry in quiet and in different levels of noise (i.e., 40 dB SPL, 50 dB SPL, 60 dB SPL) in a sound-treated booth.

Pure-tone audiometry …

Receiver Position And Acceptance Of Noise, Speech Understanding, And Sound Quality Ratings, Anna L. Ford

Doctoral Dissertations

The effect of receiver position in a hearing aid on acceptance of background noise, speech intelligibility, sound quality judgments, and listener preference was measured in adults with normal to mild sloping to moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. Participants were fit with open-fit behind-the-ear (BTE) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids. After a 3-week trial with each device, acceptance of noise levels, speech understanding in quiet and in noise, and sound quality ratings were conducted. At the conclusion of the study, listener preference between the devices was evaluated. Results revealed that receiver position did not significantly affect acceptance of background noise, …

The Measurement Of Auditory Interhemispheric Transfer Time (Ihtt) In Children With Normal Auditory Processing Abilities, Brittany Suzanne Keahey

Doctoral Dissertations

Interhemispheric transfer time (IHTT) is the time it takes for information to be transmitted from one hemisphere to the other. The goal of this study was to determine if differences existed in the IHTT of children 6 to 9 years of age with normal auditory processing abilities by the use of an objective measure (auditory late evoked potentials [ALEPs]), specifically waves P1, N1 and P2. It was hypothesized that there would be no difference in IHTT between the groups due to the age range of participants being tested. The 16 participants were divided into two groups based on age and …

Asymmetrical Speech In Noise Assessment For Children With (Central) Auditory Processing Disorders, Jessica Vaughn

Doctoral Dissertations

The primary purpose of this investigation was to determine if children with (Central) Auditory Processing Disorder have better word recognition abilities for monosyllabic words under monaural speech-in-noise conditions than binaural speech-in-noise conditions. Fifteen participants, five females and ten males, ages 8-10 years, were included in this study. There were 7 children placed in the experimental group with a diagnosis of (C) APD identified from the Louisiana Tech University Speech and Hearing Center. There were 8 typically developing children placed in the control group. Each participant had pure-tone thresholds of 0-20 dB HL for 250-8000 Hz bilaterally. The SCAN-3 for children, …

Effects Of Untrained Earmold Impression Taking On Custom Hearing Protector Device Performance, Kelly R. Pack

Doctoral Dissertations

Today's consumer is increasingly turning to the internet for both healthcare information as well as the purchase of custom hearing protection devices (HPDs). These HPDs are often cast from do-it-yourself home ear impression kits that include a syringe and silicone earmold impression material to be injected into the ear canal. Although not required by law, earmold impressions have typically been taken by medical professionals and other individuals formally trained in the procedures and safety measures of effective earmold impression taking. The main purpose of this study was to determine if do-it-yourself earmold impressions produce HPD's with lower attenuation levels than …

Development Of An Elementary School Background Noise, Amanda L. Mccann

Doctoral Dissertations

The deleterious effects of noise on hearing, comprehension, and academic development have been widely studied. In an effort to accurately observe the effects of noise on specific listening environments, researchers have relied on commercially available forms of background noise. However, these commercially available recordings only contain adult speech and background noises associated with adult environments. A commercially available form of background noise that represents the sounds associated with elementary and middle schools are not readily available. Given that much effort has gone into examining the effects of background noise on classroom performance, it would appear prudent that a background noise …

Asymmetric Directional Microphone Fittings For Individuals With An Asymmetric Hearing Loss, Jessica White

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study investigated the effects of asymmetric directional microphone fittings on participants' acceptance of background noise and speech understanding in noise abilities. Thirteen adult, bilateral hearing aid users or non-hearing aid users with bilateral asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss were fit binaurally with four different microphone conditions (i.e., bilateral omnidirectional, asymmetric directional poorer ear, asymmetric directional better ear, and bilateral directional) and monaurally with two microphone conditions (i.e., unilateral directional better ear and unilateral omnidirectional better ear). The amplification used was a pair of Siemens Intuis directional behind-the-ear hearing aids and comply earmolds.

The results indicated speech understanding in noise …

Bluetooth Headset Specifications And Its Possible Effects On Hearing Loss, Kristi Ann Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine Bluetooth headset specifications and its potential effects on hearing loss. The following research questions were assessed: (1) what is the maximum peak output of various Bluetooth headsets coupled to a cellular phone; (2) what is the average output of various Bluetooth headsets coupled to a cellular phone; and (3) what is the frequency response of various Bluetooth headsets coupled to a cellular phone? Sixteen Bluetooth headset devices of various manufacturers were used for this study. Bluetooth headsets used for this study were determined by consumer demands and lack of output specifications provided …

The Effects Of Background Noise On Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions And Hearing Screenings, Amy E. Hollowell

Doctoral Dissertations

Hearing screenings are an important tool for identifying children who have, or are at risk for hearing loss in the schools. In light of a body of evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of objective screening measures, such as otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends traditional pure tone audiometric screening as the tool of choice for hearing screenings in the schools. Pure tone audiometric screenings conducted in the schools are problematic for a number of reasons, but the most significant is the presence of background noise which is routinely encountered. The main purpose of the …

The Evaluation Of Interhemispheric Transfer Time (Ihtt) In Adults, Katherine Elise Cormier

Doctoral Dissertations

The goal of the present study was to develop an objective technique to measure interhemispheric transfer time (IHTT) of linguistic stimuli using late auditory evoked potentials to develop normative data in adults. Nine participants, five females and four males (M = 25.22) were included in this study. Each participant had their hearing tested and electrodes were placed on the forehead, tip of the nose, below the right eye and several places on the scalp. The results revealed that when comparing electrode sites (CZ, C3, and C4), waves (P1-N1-P2) and ears (right ear and left ear) there was no statistically significant …

Effects Of Cardiovascular Exercise On The Selection Of Preferred Listening Levels Using Ipods, Jessica Leigh Ann Newman

Doctoral Dissertations

The present project evaluated the effect of cardiovascular exercise on the selection of preferred listening levels using iPods. The participants in this study included 15 Louisiana Tech University students ranging in age from 19 and 30 years. The inclusion criteria for participants was as follows: (1) normal hearing sensitivity; (2) no known neurological, cognitive, or otologic impairment; (3) removal from excessive noise for at least 48 hours prior to testing; and (4) endurance in running on a treadmill for the duration of ten minutes.

Pre-test audiometric thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were obtained in a sound treated booth. …

Objective Vs. Subjective Hearing Screening Measures In Schools, Brittany S. Brown

Doctoral Dissertations

The primary aim of this study was to demonstrate the need for objective hearing screening procedures within traditional school based hearing screenings through literature review. It is believed that objective hearing screenings would provide a better, less-invasive way to screen hearing with minimal participation required from the children, and less interpretation needed from the examiner. A review of the literature suggested that ideal screening measures would include otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and tympanometry. Currently, the gold standard for school hearing screenings, as described by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) (1997), centers on behavioral responses observed by the examiner during …

The Effects Of Hearing Aid Circuitry And Speech Presentation Level On Acceptance Of Background Noise, Ashley Powers Boynton

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study investigated the effects of hearing aid circuitry and speech presentation level on ANL and hearing in noise in 19 adult, bilateral hearing aid users. The acceptable noise level (ANL) procedure was used to assess acceptance of background noise. Conventional ANLs (i.e., measured at the participant's most comfortable listening level (MCL)) and ANLs at eight fixed speech presentation levels were obtained. Then global ANLs (i.e., ANLs averaged over eight fixed speech presentation levels) and ANL growth (i.e., the slope of the ANL function) were calculated Each measure was obtained in three conditions: unaided, aided with wide dynamic range …

The Clinical Application Of Progressive Filtering In Normal And Disordered Populations, Sarah M. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study examined the effect of progressive filter testing in children with normal auditory processing skills and children with (central) auditory processing disorders [(C)APD]. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if a new screening procedure designed by the investigator called Progressive Filtering would differentiate between a control group (i.e. children with normal auditory processing skills) and an experimental group [children with (C)APD]. Twenty subjects (age 6 to 14 years) participated in the study. All subjects received an audiological examination, an auditory processing test battery, and the Progressive Filtering screening tool. Results indicated that the investigator-designed Progressive …

The Effects Of Asymmetric Directional Microphone Fittings On Acceptance Of Background Noise, Jong Sik Kim

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study investigated the effects of asymmetric directional microphone fittings (i.e., an omnidirectional microphone on one ear and a directional microphone on the other) on speech understanding in noise and acceptance of background noise in 15 full-time hearing aid users. Subjects were fitted binaurally with four directional microphone conditions (i.e., binaural omnidirectional, asymmetric right directional, asymmetric left directional and binaural directional microphones) using Siemens Intuis directional behind-the-ear hearing aids and comply earmolds. The results revealed that speech understanding in noise improved when using asymmetric directional microphones compared to binaural omnidirectional microphone fittings and were not significantly hindered compared to …

Acceptable Noise Levels In Children Ages 10 To 11 Years And 14 To 15 Years, Krystal Sullivan Ware

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study measured acceptance of background noise in 35 children (age 10–11 and 14–15 years) with normal hearing sensitivity. Acceptance of background noise was measured using the acceptable noise level (ANL) procedure. To obtain an ANL, participants' MCL was first obtained using a running story. Then a competing stimulus (i.e., speech babble or speech spectrum noise) was introduced, and the listeners were asked to adjust the level of the background noise to the most he/she could put up with and follow the story for a long period of time. This level was called background noise level or BNL. The …

Subjective Versus Objective Hearing Screening Results Of Rural Elementary School-Aged Children, Meagan Chatelain Mcclure

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study compared the pass/refer results of traditional ASHA recommended hearing screenings to transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), and screening tympanometry among young students at a rural, medically underserved population at an elementary school. Sixty-seven students (31 boys and 36 girls) from kindergarten to 3rd grade participated in this study. Ten were Hispanic and had English as a second language. Each child had his/her hearing screened at 500 Hz and by the ASHA recommended method for pure tone screenings and by TEOAEs and DPOAEs. Tympanometry was also performed on 53 students. The results revealed …

Dichotic Auditory Training In 6 To 15 Year Olds, Chasity M. Mccrum

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if participants with normal auditory processing skills would improve after receiving the Dichotic Auditory Training (DAT) when compared to a group of normal participants who only received pre- and post-testing. Twenty participants, age 6:0 to 15:11 years, participated in this study. A standard audiological evaluation was completed for each participant. Pretest and posttest were completed that included (1) DAT testing, (2) SCAN-C/A, (3) Staggered Spondaic Word test, and (4) Dichotic Digits (Single/Double). The results were analyzed for statistically significant differences between pre- and post-testing results and between groups. Any significant results …

Sound Pressure Levels Measured At Preferred Listening Levels Of Ipod Users Using Knowles Electronic Manikin For Acoustical Research, Ahmad Brandelle Alexander

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study (1) examined the sound pressure levels (SPLs) of iPod users and nonusers at preferred listening levels measured on Knowles Electronic Manikin for Acoustical Research (KEMAR), and (2) determined if those SPLs exceeded the OSHA standards for acceptable hearing levels. Forty subjects, divided into one of the four following groups participated in this study: (1) inexperienced males, (2) experienced males, (3) inexperienced females, or (4) experienced females. Each participant was asked to set the music stimuli to their preferred listening level while in the presence of background noise, simulating a real world listening environment. SPL values were then …

Normative Data For Neurodiagnostic Auditory Brainstem Response Testing (Abr), David Alan Ness

Doctoral Dissertations

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) tests are procedures routinely performed to assess auditory function from the peripheral auditory system to the level of the lower brainstem. The ABR is used as a neurodiagnostic tool to detect retrocochlear pathologies of the auditory system, such as space occupying lesions, tumors, auditory neuropathy, and multiple sclerosis that effect the structures located above the level of the cochlea.

An ABR consists of eliciting and recording waveforms. These waveform recordings elicited are compared to normative data to determine normal versus abnormal (retrocochlear lesion) responses. Generalized normative data is available for ABR test results; however, research states …

Sound Pressure Levels Within The Ear Canal Of Ipod Users, Lawrence E. Bridge

Doctoral Dissertations

Portable listening devices, specifically iPods are becoming more and more popular among teens and young adults. According to Apple's quarterly financial results in March 2008, total iPod sales reached close to 152,000,000 since their release in January 2001 (Apple, 2008). Because nearly 15 million individuals suffer from noise induced hearing loss, listening levels of individuals using iPods are of main concern to audiologists. The purpose of this dissertation is to determine (1) average listening levels of males and females, as well as experienced and inexperienced iPod users and (2) if a certain groups of individuals are at more of a …