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European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

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01-07-2010 | Otology

Advantages of a non-linear frequency compression algorithm in noise

Authors: Andrea Bohnert, Myriel Nyffeler, Annerose Keilmann

Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology | Issue 7/2010

Abstract

A multichannel non-linear frequency compression algorithm was evaluated in comparison to conventional amplification hearing aids using a test of speech understanding in noise (Oldenburger Satztest—OLSA) and subjective questionnaires. The new algorithm compresses frequencies above a pre-calculated cut off frequency and shifts them to a lower frequency range, thereby providing high-frequency audibility. Low-frequencies, below the compression cut off frequency, are amplified normally. This algorithm is called SoundRecover (SR). In this study, 11 experienced hearing aid users with a severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss were tested. Seven subjects showed enhanced levels of understanding in noise (OLSA) using frequency compression. However, 4 out of the 11 subjects could not benefit from the high-frequency gain. Evaluation using questionnaires demonstrated an increased level of satisfaction after 2 months of experimental devices wearing (p = 0.08) and after 4 months of wearing (p = 0.09), respectively, compared to conventional hearing instruments.

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Title: Advantages of a non-linear frequency compression algorithm in noise
Authors: Andrea Bohnert
Myriel Nyffeler
Annerose Keilmann
Publication date: 01-07-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology / Issue 7/2010
Print ISSN: 0937-4477
Electronic ISSN: 1434-4726
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-009-1170-x

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Advantages of a non-linear frequency compression algorithm in noise

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