Effects of PSAPs on Speech Processing

Mild to moderate hearing loss remains undertreated, largely because of the high cost of hearing aids. A promising and much less expensive alternative is the use of personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), which are electronic, portable, over-the-counter devices that amplify sound. Studies have shown that the use of PSAPs provides significant hearing benefits and improves the quality of life for older adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. However, there is insufficient data to determine the impact of PSAPs use on speech processing in the brain. The purpose of this study is to use electroencephalography (EEG) measurements to assess the neurobiological and behavioral effects of PSAPs on speech perception in noise in individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. The investigators expect that the PSAPs use will result in an immediate improvement in the ability to perceive speech-in-noise, supporting that these hearing devices may be a means of restoring communication skills in people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Behavioral benefits will be associated with increased brain activity in auditory regions and connectivity between auditory and speech regions in the brain.

This study will consist of two sessions of 3 hours each. On one session, participants will perform the speech-in-noise task without hearing devices and on the other session, participants will perform the speech-in-noise task while wearing personal sound amplification products. The order of the sessions will be counterbalanced across participants. The speech-in-noise task consists in a word discrimination task in babble noise at three signal-to-noise ratios. On each trial, the task is to determine whether two words are identical or different.

Difference in EEG wave amplitude (in μV) in the speech-in-noise task when using PSAPs and when using no device.

Difference in EEG wave latency (in milliseconds) in the speech-in-noise task when using PSAPs and when using no device.

Difference in EEG wave time-frequency oscillations in the speech-in-noise task when using PSAPs and when using no device.

Difference in connectivity strength in the speech-in-noise task when using PSAPs and when using no device.

Difference in the percentage (%) of correct responses in the speech-in-noise task when using PSAPs and when using no device.

Difference in reaction time (in milliseconds) in the speech-in-noise task when using PSAPs and when using no device.

Difference in sensitivity in the speech-in-noise task when using PSAPs and when using no device. Sensitivity is a measure of the ability to correctly recognize whether pairs are different or not.

Difference in criterion in the speech-in-noise task when using PSAPs and when using no device. The criterion is a measure of response bias that measures the tendency to choose one response over another.

Difference in self-reported listening effort in the speech-in-noise task when using PSAPs and when using no device. Listening effort is measured on a 7-point scale.

Inclusion Criteria: Right-handed Exclusion Criteria: Mother tongue not English Language impairment Dementia Cerebrovascular diseases Untreated vision impairment; Tinnitus and otologic disorders Cochlear implant History of prior hearing aid use Diagnosed addiction (alcohol or drugs) Significant medical or neurocognitive conditions or interventions likely to significantly impact cognitive function (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness > 5 minutes, brain tumor, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, developmental delay, electroconvulsive therapy) a diagnosis (based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)) of major depressive disorder with active symptoms within 90 days of study entry, past or present psychosis, or other psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder

Demographic and health information, behavioral results, and EEG recordings will be shared on an open platform only if participants consent. The data will be anonymized using a random generic code. No personally identifiable data will be shared. The code and stimuli of the task will also be shared on the platform.

The data will be shared when the article is published and will remain accessible as long as possible.

Data will be shared on an open platform to be determined. The web address of the data sharing will be inserted in the article, and anyone can access the data from this link.