Reduced High-Frequency Hearing for Speech Perception

Recruiting in Champaign (>99 mi)

Overseen By Brian Monson, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Brian Monson

Disqualifiers: Non-native English, Hearing loss

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 1 day

480 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study examines the effects of low-pass filtering speech on speech perception.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment for Reduced High-Frequency Hearing for Speech Perception?

Research suggests that hearing in the extended high frequencies (above 8 kHz) helps with understanding speech in noisy environments. Although people with high-frequency hearing loss might have normal hearing tests, they can still struggle with speech perception, indicating that improving high-frequency hearing could enhance speech understanding. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the treatment for reduced high-frequency hearing for speech perception differ from other treatments?

This treatment focuses on the extended high frequencies (EHF) above 8 kHz, which are often overlooked but play a crucial role in speech perception, especially in noisy environments. Unlike conventional treatments that may not address these frequencies, this approach aims to enhance speech understanding by targeting EHF, potentially offering early detection and prevention of hearing loss. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people who have normal hearing within the range of 250-8000 Hz and are native speakers of American English. It's not suitable for those with any level of hearing loss or non-native speakers of American English.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a native American English speaker.

My hearing is normal across all pitches.

Exclusion Criteria

History of hearing loss

Non-native speakers of American English

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo speech perception testing with low-pass filtered speech

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any immediate effects post-testing

1 week

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Reduced extended high-frequency audibility

Trial Overview The study is looking at how reducing high-frequency sounds (above the normal range) affects understanding speech. Participants will listen to speech that has been altered to remove these high frequencies to see if it changes their ability to understand what's being said.

Participant Groups

Group I: Normal-hearing listeners Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Brian Monson

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

480+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

Findings from Research

Extended high-frequency (EHF) hearing loss is common among young adults with normal hearing, and it may lead to difficulties in understanding speech in noisy environments.

The study found that while EHF loss did not significantly affect temporal resolution (measured by AMDTs), it was associated with poorer spectral resolution (measured by FCDTs) at 4 kHz, indicating that EHF hearing loss can compromise auditory resolution even when standard audiograms appear normal.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Suprathreshold auditory processes in listeners with normal audiograms but extended high-frequency hearing lossa). Mishra, SK., Fu, QJ., Galvin, JJ., et al.[2023]

The study found that 42 out of 222 young adults (ages 19-38) with normal standard audiograms exhibited extended high frequency (EHF) hearing impairment, indicating early signs of auditory aging, particularly in males around the age of 21.

EHF hearing impairment negatively impacts the ability to recognize speech in noisy environments, suggesting that even with normal hearing at standard frequencies, individuals may experience difficulties in real-world listening situations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Extended High-frequency Hearing Impairment Despite a Normal Audiogram: Relation to Early Aging, Speech-in-noise Perception, Cochlear Function, and Routine Earphone Use. Mishra, SK., Saxena, U., Rodrigo, H.[2023]

A formal auditory training program significantly improved behavioral aspects of auditory function in seven adults aged 46 to 57 with bilateral high-frequency hearing loss, particularly in understanding speech in noisy environments.

While some electrophysiological measures showed no significant change, the training led to the emergence of previously absent long-latency components in some participants, indicating potential neural adaptations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of auditory training in individuals with high-frequency hearing loss. Santos, RB., Marangoni, AT., de Andrade, AN., et al.[2022]

Hearing impairment in extended high frequencies (EHFs) is common in children, even when standard hearing tests show normal results, affecting their ability to recognize speech in noisy environments.

Children with EHF impairment demonstrated poorer speech recognition and altered cochlear functioning, indicating that EHF testing is crucial for identifying hidden hearing issues that can impact language and learning.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hearing Impairment in the Extended High Frequencies in Children Despite Clinically Normal Hearing. Mishra, SK., Saxena, U., Rodrigo, H.[2022]

In a study involving 60 participants (36 elderly hearing-impaired and 24 young normal-hearing), it was found that elderly listeners with varying degrees of high-frequency hearing loss did not show improved word-recognition performance when exposed to spectrally shaped speech compared to unshaped speech, regardless of the bandwidth conditions.

Young normal-hearing listeners demonstrated better speech understanding in broadband conditions due to higher frequencies, highlighting that high-frequency information is crucial for speech recognition, which is less effective in elderly listeners with hearing loss.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Contribution of high frequencies to speech recognition in quiet and noise in listeners with varying degrees of high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Amos, NE., Humes, LE.[2007]

Extended high frequencies (EHF) above 8 kHz play a crucial role in normal hearing and may enhance speech perception, especially in challenging listening environments, highlighting their importance in auditory function.

Measuring EHF hearing alongside otoacoustic emissions can serve as an early indicator of age-related hearing loss, suggesting that EHF audiometry could be vital for early detection and monitoring in at-risk populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Extended high frequency hearing and speech perception implications in adults and children. Hunter, LL., Monson, BB., Moore, DR., et al.[2023]

In a study of 67 children aged 11 to 14 with hearing impairments, the high frequency range (250-5000 Hz) in hearing aids was found to be effective for 83% of participants, indicating its importance for speech perception.

Only 3% of children showed improved speech discrimination in the low frequency range, while 64% had unchanged capacity, suggesting that high frequency sound reinforcement is more beneficial for children with hearing loss.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The effect of the frequency characteristics of hearing aids on speech perception in children with neurosensory hearing loss]. Kuks, EN., Kireeva, GA., Poliakova, SK.[2006]

Two frequency compression algorithms, nonlinear frequency compression (NFC) and spectral envelope decimation (SED), significantly improved the identification of high-frequency speech sounds in adults with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss, compared to conventional frequency transposition (FT), which performed poorly.

The study found that using a wider input bandwidth (≥4 kHz) with NFC and SED led to better speech recognition, indicating that these methods can effectively enhance hearing aid performance for individuals with high-frequency hearing loss.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of frequency compression and frequency transposition on fricative and affricate perception in listeners with normal hearing and mild to moderate hearing loss. Alexander, JM., Kopun, JG., Stelmachowicz, PG.[2022]

Age has a more significant negative impact on speech perception in noisy environments than mild hearing loss in the extended high-frequency range, as shown in a study comparing young and older adults with varying hearing thresholds.

Individuals with mild hearing loss in the extended high-frequency range require larger differences in fundamental frequency to segregate auditory streams, indicating that even normal hearing thresholds at lower frequencies may not reflect overall auditory function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of age and hearing sensitivity at frequencies above 8 kHz on auditory stream segregation and speech perception. Jain, S., Narne, VK., Nataraja, NP., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Suprathreshold auditory processes in listeners with normal audiograms but extended high-frequency hearing lossa). [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Extended High-frequency Hearing Impairment Despite a Normal Audiogram: Relation to Early Aging, Speech-in-noise Perception, Cochlear Function, and Routine Earphone Use. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of auditory training in individuals with high-frequency hearing loss. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hearing Impairment in the Extended High Frequencies in Children Despite Clinically Normal Hearing. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Contribution of high frequencies to speech recognition in quiet and noise in listeners with varying degrees of high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. [2007]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Extended high frequency hearing and speech perception implications in adults and children. [2023]

7. Russia (Federation) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The effect of the frequency characteristics of hearing aids on speech perception in children with neurosensory hearing loss]. [2006]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of frequency compression and frequency transposition on fricative and affricate perception in listeners with normal hearing and mild to moderate hearing loss. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of age and hearing sensitivity at frequencies above 8 kHz on auditory stream segregation and speech perception. [2023]