Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Efficiency Of The Acoustic Change Complex For Various Stimulus Presentation Strategies In Infants, Lisa Goldin

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The acoustic-change-complex (ACC) is an objective measure that can be used to study whether sounds are encoded at the level of the cortex. The goals of this study were: 1) To determine if the ACC can be elicited in infants, and 2) To establish whether eliminating the silent interval between stimuli and using a continuously alternating stimulus is more efficient in infants than the traditional interrupted stimulus presentation method. If the continuously alternating stimulus is more efficient, then 3) To determine why the continuously alternating stimulus is more efficient.

Twenty-one infants aged 2 months to 13 months old served as …

Experience And Satisfaction With Hearing Aid Services Delivered Via Teleaudiology In Adult Populations: A Systematic Review, Shelby Platia

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: The goal of this systematic review is to examine the current literature to look at patient experience and satisfaction with teleaudiology services. Specifically, teleaudiology services that occur at the fitting and/or post-fitting stage of the adult hearing aid patient journey.

Methods: A comprehensive search utilizing PubMed, MEDLINE and EBSCOhost databases were conducted to identify pertinent, peer-reviewed, articles related to the clinical usage or clinical applications of teleaudiology for hearing aid fittings and/or follow-up for adult individuals. Inclusion criteria were studies that are empirical, included quantitative results, articles published in English, peer-reviewed articles; and persons who are 18 …

Systematic Review: The Effect Of Hearing Aids On Balance And Falls, Natalia Beatriz Pagan-Guadalupe

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: The population of individuals 65 years old is increasing and falls are one of the most prevalent causes of disabilities among this population. Recent studies have found association between neural hearing losses and increased risk of falls, suggesting that hearing is an important input that assist visual, proprioceptive and vestibular inputs in maintaining balance. Hearing aids are known to be beneficial to improve access to sound; however, it is very limited the research regarding the effects of amplification on balance and risk of falls.

Objectives: This systematic review intends to gather and analyze all the research available regarding the …

Daily Benefits Of Leader Dogs In Addition To Medical Treatment For Individuals With Usher Syndrome: A Case Study, Samantha H. Zwolan

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: Adults with Usher syndrome seeking audiologic rehabilitation and treatment often experience everyday difficulties that are not fully resolved using typical medical treatments. This case study examines the difficulties faced by individuals diagnosed with Usher syndrome in their everyday life, including quality of life, safety, and social issues. Additionally, the non-medical benefits that leader dogs can provide such individuals is also presented.

Method: A thorough literature review was performed to provide background information regarding Usher syndrome and the impact it has on the hearing and vision of affected individuals. A related literature review was performed to examine the role …

Optimizing Communication In Palliative And Hospice Care: A Toolkit For Audiologists, Sherry E. Queen

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The prevalence of hearing loss increases with age, with age-related hearing loss (ARHL) being one of the most prevalent forms of sensory decline in older adults. Hearing loss is often overlooked in medical settings including palliative and hospice care. Screening for hearing loss in these settings is rare as is formal staff training on assessing and managing hearing loss in palliative and hospice care. An evidence-based toolkit for integrating audiologists into end-of-life care protocols is presented. This toolkit was developed to optimize communication in palliative and hospice care for patients, caregivers, audiologists, physicians, and other palliative care staff. Effective communication …

The Power Of A Sound Mind: Exploring Meditation And Sound Therapies For Treating The Emotional Impact Of Tinnitus, Sabeena A. Ramnanan

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Tinnitus is described as a sound perceived by an individual that has no external source. Some individuals with tinnitus can habituate to this phantom sound, while others become emotionally disturbed by it. There are several theories which attempt to rationalize the cause of tinnitus, and various treatments which aim to eliminate, mask, or facilitate habituation to one’s tinnitus. Current common treatments include sound therapies and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), either in isolation or in combination with one another. However, not all these treatments aim to address the emotional impact of tinnitus. Novel treatments are emerging, with some attempting to reduce the …

Examining The Effect Of Longstanding Deafness On Health Literacy: A Systematic Review, Sara S. Payami

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate whether deafness has a significant effect on one’s health literacy skills, and, if there is a difference between health literacy of a normal hearing individual compared to that of a Deaf individual. Disparities in health literacy unique to the Deaf experience are identified.

Methods: A comprehensive search the utilizing various peer-reviewed databases was conducted via the City University of New York’s (CUNY) Graduate Center Library to identify relevant studies published after 2009. Inclusion criteria incorporated quantified studies which commented on the health literacy of d/Deaf communities in the U.S. published from 2009 to …

Alcohol And Its Long-Term Effects On Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review, Talia Sowalsky

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: To review the literature on potential permanent effects of long-term alcohol consumption on hearing status in adults 40 years of age and older.

Study Design: Systematic review of prospective and retrospective studies; meta-analysis of case-controlled studies.

Methods: One researcher independently reviewed MEDLINE (January 1, 2000-May 1, 2019), CINAHL (January 1, 2000-May 1, 2019), PubMed (January 1, 2000-May 1, 2019), and Web of Science (January 1, 2000-May 1, 2019). A manual reference search was additionally conducted. Randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies, consecutive/non-consecutive case series, and retrospective reviews in which a clear definition of hearing loss was stated were included …

Infant Behavioral Speech Discrimination Procedures: A Systematic Review, Allison L. Mazzella

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: The purpose of this capstone project was to conduct a systematic review of literature relating to two behavioral infant speech discrimination procedures to evaluate their potential clinical utility. The two procedures examined were the Observer-based Psychoacoustic Procedure (OPP) and the Visual Reinforcement of Infant Speech Discrimination (VRISD) method. The methodology utilized and the results obtained are examined for normal hearing infants and infants with hearing loss. The procedures are compared and contrasted in terms of potential clinical feasibility and modifications for potential clinical use are considered.

Methods: A comprehensive search was performed using Pubmed and EBSCO Academic Search Complete …

Encoding And Perception Of Voicing And Aspiration In Native And Non-Native Listeners In Quiet And In Background Noise, Reethee Antony

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The perception and encoding of voice cues in consonants have been well studied, whereas there has been relatively little research on aspiration. The current study examined the encoding and perception of aspiration and voicing in Hindi, American English, and Tamil listeners when relevant cues were and were not degraded by noise. This study is novel because of the inclusion of aspiration, the language groups, inclusion of noise masking, and inclusion of auditory evoked potentials (in addition to behavioral testing).

The first aim was to determine whether language groups for whom aspiration and/or voicing is phonemically contrastive show better perception and …

Primary Care Physician Perceptions Of Hearing Loss And Amplification: A Survey, Sophie Racine

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The goal of this survey is to determine primary care physicians’ (PCP) views regarding hearing loss and hearing amplification. A questionnaire was created, using TypeForm©. Factors interrogated in the survey included structural aspects of the health care delivery system, presence of stigma among providers regarding hearing amplification, PCPs’ knowledge of hearing loss, the utility of amplification, official recommendations on screening and amplification, costs of hearing aids and risks of untreated hearing loss, and practitioners’ viewpoints and practice behaviors surrounding hearing loss and amplification. The survey instrument is comprised of four domains: 1) demographics, 2) knowledge of hearing loss and amplification, …

Assistive Listening Devices: A Guide, Alexa Brody

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: The purpose of this research was to develop a guide on assistive listening devices (ALDs) describing the various types of ALDs, the basic underlying concepts, their advantages and disadvantages, the instrumentation and its components, and the setup and procedures for specification/evaluation of ALDs in accordance with national standards or guidelines issued by professional organizations in our field. This guide is intended for audiologists, hearing scientists, and audiology and hearing science students.

Method: A thorough review of the previous ALD literature including national and international standards for set-up and installation, specification/evaluation and verification of ALDs; guidelines from professional audiology and …

Development Of An Aba Tool Kit For Audiologists To Increase Hearing Aid Wear Time In Individuals With Autism, Lindsay Brown

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

When working with individuals with the dual-diagnosis of hearing loss and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), audiologists are often faced with unique challenges and must adapt their approach in order to more effectively address the needs of these individuals. Currently, there is only a small body of research focused on the special considerations required for appropriately fitting and utilizing amplification for children with the dual-diagnosis of hearing loss and ASD. Subsequently, recommendations and strategies for clinicians to implement when faced with these common challenges, specifically of hearing aid compliance and appropriate hearing aid wear time, are lacking. It is important to …

Speech Outcomes And Hearing Preservation In Adults With Hybrid Cochlear Implants: A Systematic Review, Victoria J. Dillon

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: The goal of this review is to systematically review literature in order to investigate the speech recognition and subjective performance outcomes, as well as determine the degree of hearing preservation, in adult hybrid cochlear implant patients through the utilization of electric acoustic stimulation (EAS).

Methods: A comprehensive search, utilizing various peer-reviewed databases, was conducted via the City University of New York’s (CUNY) Graduate Center Library to identify the relevant studies published. Inclusion criteria was studies that involved adult hybrid cochlear implant users which reported speech outcomes and hearing preservation, with performance outcomes obtained at least 12 months’ post-implantation. Studies …

The Impact Of Childhood Music Experience On Speech Perception And Processing: A Systematic Review, Erika Lanham

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to conduct a systematic review of the literature that addresses the impact of childhood musical experience on speech perception and processing abilities. Specifically, this review assessed how musical training impacted scores on both objective and behavioral tests of speech perception/processing in children. This analysis contributes to a better understanding of the effects of individual musical experience in childhood on our ability to perceive and process speech in a variety of listening conditions. This analysis also determined the clinical implications of such findings.

Methods: A comprehensive search utilizing the Web of Science database accessible …

Visual Perspective Taking In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Erin L. Reilly

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have difficulty in recognizing environmental perspectives other than their own. Perspective-taking deficits impact language use and understanding in discourse and more general social and cognitive function. Despite extensive research on perspective taking abilities in individuals with ASD, many factors have not been fully examined. This study further examined the contribution of angular disparity, anthropomorphism of an observer, and language use on visual perspective-taking.

Individuals with (ASD) demonstrate a strength in visual spatial cognition and a weakness in visual social cognition. This study examined the factors that may cause people with ASD to have difficulties …

Cochlear Implantation: Why Vs. Why Not? A Pocket Guide For Non-Cochlear Implant Audiologists, Lauren Mccauley

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The goal of this guide is to provide audiologists with the insights to patient fears and motivators for cochlear implant uptake to ensure all cochlear implant candidates are identified, counseled, and cared for appropriately. Cochlear implant uptake is low compared to the population of people who may be considered candidates, despite the numerous benefits cochlear implants have been shown to provide to these patients. Hearing loss that remains untreated or undertreated in adults can lead to negative consequences, including poorer quality of life, social isolation, and even increased rates of cognitive decline. It is becoming increasingly important for audiologists to …

Maximum Sound Output Levels Of Pediatric Marketed Headphones: The Development Of Healthy Listening Habits In Children, Adrienne L. Ammirati

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: In recent years there has been a growing concern regarding the etiology of pediatric hearing loss. Based on cross-sectional studies of data produced by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, the incidence of hearing loss in US adolescents (age 12-19 years) has increased from 14.9 to 19.5% from 1988-2006 (Shargorodsky, Curhan, & Eavey, 2010) (Brooks & Chan, 2017). Many individuals suspect the leading contributor of this to be frequent exposure to unsafe listening conditions (Muchnik, Amir, Shabtai, & Kaplan-Neeman, 2012) (Brookhouser, Wothington, & Kelley, 1992).

Presently there are no government issued regulations on the maximum sound output …

The Perception Of Prosody In English-Speaking Children With Cochlear Implants: A Systematic Review, Grace R. Smith

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: The goal of this paper was to systematically review literature in order to investigate the perception of prosody in English-speaking children with cochlear implants.

Methods: A comprehensive search utilizing various peer-reviewed databases accessible through the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center Library was conducted to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria included studies that examined prosody perception in pre-and post-lingually deafened children with cochlear implants. Children who utilized unilateral, bilateral, and bimodal configurations of cochlear implants were therefore included in this search.

Results: 9 studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. The findings …

A New Method In Subjective Tinnitus Management: The Use Of A Nutraceutical Formulation To Improve Patient Outcomes, Jade Faulkner

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: This project aims to implement an evidence-based clinical practice guideline at the International Hearing Centre (IHC) in Lagos, Nigeria for future research and data collection of their subjective tinnitus management using a nutraceutical formulation called ‘NHANCED Hearing (NH). After learning the IHC had incomplete charting in regard to tinnitus questionnaires pre- and post-administration of the NH formula, this capstone project sought to apply evidence-based guidelines for proper diagnostic evaluations and charting to assist in future research of the NH formula.

Methodology: A review and synthesis of current clinical practice guidelines in the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, …

Behavioral Outcomes In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Cochlear Implants, Patricia K. Herz

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this literature review was to establish what is currently known about behavioral outcomes of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and cochlear implants (CIs). Sixteen articles were included in this review. The areas investigated were behavioral changes postimplantation, as determined by subjective and objective measures, mode of communication used by children with ASD and CIs, and effects of additional comorbidities on these outcomes. Considerations for CI use for children with ASD include potential hypersensitivity to auditory stimuli, inability to complete performance measures, and markedly slower progress than their typically developing peers. Many of the studies included in …

Outcomes Of Tinnitus Post-Cochlear Implantation In Adult Populations: A Systematic Review, Evangeline Wong

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this investigation is to conduct a systematic review on the outcomes of tinnitus, in both its characteristics and psychosocial impact, post-cochlear implantation in profound bilateral and single-sided deafness (SSD) adult populations. A longitudinal case study will also be presented to show long-term effects of tinnitus outcomes in a cochlear implant recipient in a clinical setting. The investigation may, in turn, provide information regarding tinnitus in the selection criteria of which ear to implant, considerations in implantation eligibility for patients with bilateral and unilateral severe hearing loss associated with severe tinnitus, and to inform patients about the possible …

Direct And Indirect Treatment Effects In Multilingual People With Aphasia, Aviva Lerman

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: Successfully assessing and treating aphasia in multilingual people requires a detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying language processing in the multilingual population, and the potential impairments to those mechanisms. The balance between spreading activation of language processes via treatment and controlling interference of competing items within the lexico-semantic networks appears to be a key factor in determining whether treatment effects generalise within and across languages in multilingual people with aphasia (Kiran, Sandberg, Gray, Ascenso, & Kester, 2013).

This balance can be exploited through treatment, which, if carefully chosen, should maximise potential within- and cross-language generalisation. One treatment that has …

Speech Motor Control In Younger And Older Adults: The Effect Of Age And Individual Differences On Speech Error Production, Katherine M. Dawson

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation investigates three main issues in speech motor control, all of which are explored through the lens of speech error production. The speech error elicitation task used is the alternating onset, identical coda (e.g. ‘top cop’) paradigm, which in this incarnation is executed in time to a rate-increasing metronome. The first experimental chapter asks why some speakers may be more prone to the production of speech errors than others, from an individual differences perspective. A number of speaker attributes are taken into account, including age (older and younger adults), performance on a subset of cognitive tasks, as well as …

Outcomes In Children With Additional Disabilities Following Cochlear Implantation: A Systematic Review, Rebecca M. Tuchman

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: Thirty percent of children with hearing loss have an additional disability. These children may be difficult to test according to standard audiologic behavioral test protocols. Additionally, progress within this population may present differently than in children with no additional disability. Currently, no evidence-based protocol exists for assessing cochlear implant benefit and outcomes in this population.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation is to perform a systematic review on the outcomes of cochlear implantation in children with additional disabilities. Specifically, this study focused on areas of function assessed, outcome measures used, and evidence of benefit observed.

Methods: A comprehensive search …

A Musician Centered Toolkit For Audiologists, Ava Bonavita

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The toolkit for audiologists working with musicians includes a set of materials for use in a musician centered audiology practice. Given the rise in streaming of music by individuals of all ages and the recognition of susceptibility of musicians to hearing loss, the prevalence of hearing loss is on the rise necessitating the need for materials and protocols to better protect, educate, and treat music lovers of all ages who may be prone to hearing loss. Music induced hearing loss typically falls under the category of recreational noise exposure, a subset of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Musicians are the …

Effects Of Primary And Secondary Cigarette Smoke On Auditory Function: A Systematic Review, Hilary Mcmanus

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: The goal of this paper was to systematically review literature in order to investigate the effects of active and passive cigarette smoke on auditory function when assessing outcome measures including pure tone audiometry, otoacoustic emissions, high-frequency audiometry, and auditory evoked potentials.

Methods: A comprehensive search using the Medline Complete database was conducted to identify relevant studies published after 2005. Inclusion criteria included the use of pure tone audiometry, high-frequency audiometry, otoacoustic emissions, and/or auditory evoked potentials to examine the effect of primary or secondary cigarette smoke. Studies involving noise exposure or other confounding factors were excluded.

Results: A total …

Across Curriculums: A Need For Audiology Instruction For Teachers Of The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing, Jenna M. Morishita

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: The purpose of this project is to gain insight into the requirements of teacher education programs with regard to instruction in audiology for teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing. Though individual teacher preparation programs have vast differences as they pertain to philosophy and methodology, graduates of each of these programs seek to work with children with hearing loss and therefore should have more than a basic understanding of audiology.

Method: The websites and course catalogs (when available) were reviewed for the 48 graduate programs listed on DeafEd.net. Data was collected on courses with the term “audiology” in …

Caring For Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Toolkit For Audiologists, Melanie Rosenthal

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

As the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can mimic those of hearing loss, an audiologic evaluation is often a component of the differential diagnostic process. These audiologic evaluations can be complicated by social communication deficits, as well as sensory issues demonstrated by individuals with ASD. Typical testing procedures may need to be adapted, as well as multiple appointments may be needed, to obtain sufficient audiologic information. Although there is an abundance of literature suggesting that alternative approaches (i.e. visual schedules, social stories) should be utilized in the audiologic evaluation, there has yet to be a comprehensive toolkit for audiologists …

Implications Of Vestibular Dysfunction Among The Aging Population: A Pocket Guide For Health Care Professionals, Maia L. Weisenfeld

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The goal of this health information booklet is to provide healthcare professionals with the appropriate tools and information required to ensure all patients with a vestibular impairment are cared for and treated appropriately. The following guide includes overview of the vestibular system, vestibulotoxic medications, and common vestibular disorders. These notable areas are required for appropriate treatment and referral to other professionals for treatment.