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Evaluation of a Binaural Spatialization Method for Hearing Aids (BHA(L&S))

Primary Purpose

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Status
Completed
Phase
Phase 2
Locations
Switzerland
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Hearing Aids
Sponsored by
Sonova AG
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional supportive care trial for Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - 85 Years (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria

  • French-native speakers and adults.
  • Normal otoscopy.
  • No conductive pathology.
  • Normal hearing, or moderate to severe, sloping or flat, symmetrical hearing loss.
  • User of bilateral Phonak hearing aids, for more than 6 months (hearing-impaired only).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of tinnitus or hyperacusis.
  • Visual impairment, after correction with glasses or not.
  • History of chronic or terminal illness or psychiatric disturbance,.
  • History of epilepsy or other reactions associated with the proximity to a video screen.

Sites / Locations

  • Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm 3

Arm 4

Arm Type

Experimental

Experimental

Experimental

Experimental

Arm Label

Normal hearing

Moderate hearing impaired

Severe hearing impaired

Profound hearing impaired

Arm Description

People showing no hearing loss (< 20 dB HL). Introduction of speech signal via the DAI of two hearing aids Phonak Naida IX SP.

Patients showing moderate hearing loss (40-60 dB HL). Introduction of speech signal via the DAI of two hearing aids among: PhonakAudéo V-13 Phonak Baseo Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13 Phonak Bolero Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13, Boléro V-P, V-SP Phonak Naida Q-CRT, Q-SP, Q-UP Phonak Sky Q-RIC, Q-SP, Q-UP, Q-M13 Phonak Ambra microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Cassia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Dalia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Naida S SP, S UP, S CRT Phonak Solana microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Certéna micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Exélia micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Milo Plus micro, Plus SP, Plus UP Phonak Naida SP, SP Junior, UP, UP Junior Phonak Nios micro, S H20 Phonak Versata micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro

Patients showing severe hearing loss (60-80 dB HL). Introduction of speech signal via the DAI of two hearing aids among: PhonakAudéo V-13 Phonak Baseo Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13 Phonak Bolero Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13, Boléro V-P, V-SP Phonak Naida Q-CRT, Q-SP, Q-UP Phonak Sky Q-RIC, Q-SP, Q-UP, Q-M13 Phonak Ambra microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Cassia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Dalia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Naida S SP, S UP, S CRT Phonak Solana microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Certéna micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Exélia micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Milo Plus micro, Plus SP, Plus UP Phonak Naida SP, SP Junior, UP, UP Junior Phonak Nios micro, S H20 Phonak Versata micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro

Patients showing profound hearing loss (> 80 dB HL). Introduction of speech signal via the DAI of two hearing aids among: PhonakAudéo V-13 Phonak Baseo Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13 Phonak Bolero Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13, Boléro V-P, V-SP Phonak Naida Q-CRT, Q-SP, Q-UP Phonak Sky Q-RIC, Q-SP, Q-UP, Q-M13 Phonak Ambra microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Cassia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Dalia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Naida S SP, S UP, S CRT Phonak Solana microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Certéna micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Exélia micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Milo Plus micro, Plus SP, Plus UP Phonak Naida SP, SP Junior, UP, UP Junior Phonak Nios micro, S H20 Phonak Versata micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Speech Intelligibility
Speech recognition score (%) For each group: average of the SRS over all subjects in the group. The SRS correspond to the number of understood words in a sequence of sentences (French HINT database) mixed with several level of masking noise (speech-shaped noise). Some are played diotically, the other are spatialized in various directions. The goal is to ensure that the spatialization processing does not degrade the understanding of the speech.
Speaker's Localization
Localization error (in number of spatial sectors) For each group: average localization error over all subjects in the group. It is the difference between the actual spatial sector and the one reported by the listeners. There were 5 spatial sectors, and 9 possible locations. For instance: if the stimuli is played in sector 4, and the listener perceives it in 2, then the localization error is |4-2| = 2. The goal is to compare the localization error in 3 conditions: 1/ with no hearing aids (reference of natural localization) and no spatialization 2/ with hearing aids and standard fittings and no spatialization, and 3/ with spatialization applied.
Listener's Subjective Preference
Listeners compare two audiovisual stimuli (diotic and spatialized) and Indicate their preference between binaural diotic (no spatialization), spatialized stimuli, or no preference. Results are given as the percentage of participant for the 3 possible answers in each group.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Full Information

First Posted
February 17, 2016
Last Updated
October 3, 2016
Sponsor
Sonova AG
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT02693704
Brief Title
Evaluation of a Binaural Spatialization Method for Hearing Aids
Acronym
BHA(L&S)
Official Title
Evaluation of a Binaural Spatialization Method for Hearing Aids, in Terms of Speech Intelligibility, Speaker Localization and Subjective Preference.
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
October 2016
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
February 2016 (undefined)
Primary Completion Date
July 2016 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
July 2016 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Principal Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
Sonova AG

4. Oversight

Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
This study investigates the possible benefits of using binaural spatialization techniques in digital wireless microphone systems for hearing aids. Speech intelligibility tests, speaker localization tests and preference tests are performed. The results of a diotic (current rendering) and a binaural (suggested rendering) rendering are compared.
Detailed Description
The signal processing laboratory (LTS2) of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) has developed a new feature of sound rendering in hearing aids. This is a collaboration between EPFL and the Swiss company Phonak Communications AG. The new functionality works with the range of Roger products from Phonak, a new generation of FM systems that use a digital transmission. FM technology refers to a type of wireless system that helps people better understand speech in noisy situations. FM systems commonly work together with a user's hearing aids, although systems are also available for those with otherwise normal hearing (such as people who suffer from APD, ADHD etc.). An FM system works like this: the person speaking wears or holds a transmitter microphone, or the transmitter is placed in the middle of the group (picking up speech from all around). Using harmless radio waves, the FM system sends speech signal(s) to the listener, who wears a tiny FM receiver behind the ear. The new feature of such systems performs processing of the speaker's speech signal so that it renders information related to their spatial location. This so-called sound "spatialization" is a natural property of the human binaural auditory system, which allows us to localize sounds. However, this sound spatialization is not delivered by the current FM systems. Thanks to the new technology from EPFL and Phonak, it is now possible to include a binaural spatialization of the speech signal in the Roger product of Phonak hearing devices.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Sensorineural Hearing Loss

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Supportive Care
Study Phase
Phase 2, Phase 3
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
Non-Randomized
Enrollment
40 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Normal hearing
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
People showing no hearing loss (< 20 dB HL). Introduction of speech signal via the DAI of two hearing aids Phonak Naida IX SP.
Arm Title
Moderate hearing impaired
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Patients showing moderate hearing loss (40-60 dB HL). Introduction of speech signal via the DAI of two hearing aids among: PhonakAudéo V-13 Phonak Baseo Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13 Phonak Bolero Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13, Boléro V-P, V-SP Phonak Naida Q-CRT, Q-SP, Q-UP Phonak Sky Q-RIC, Q-SP, Q-UP, Q-M13 Phonak Ambra microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Cassia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Dalia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Naida S SP, S UP, S CRT Phonak Solana microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Certéna micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Exélia micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Milo Plus micro, Plus SP, Plus UP Phonak Naida SP, SP Junior, UP, UP Junior Phonak Nios micro, S H20 Phonak Versata micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro
Arm Title
Severe hearing impaired
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Patients showing severe hearing loss (60-80 dB HL). Introduction of speech signal via the DAI of two hearing aids among: PhonakAudéo V-13 Phonak Baseo Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13 Phonak Bolero Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13, Boléro V-P, V-SP Phonak Naida Q-CRT, Q-SP, Q-UP Phonak Sky Q-RIC, Q-SP, Q-UP, Q-M13 Phonak Ambra microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Cassia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Dalia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Naida S SP, S UP, S CRT Phonak Solana microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Certéna micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Exélia micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Milo Plus micro, Plus SP, Plus UP Phonak Naida SP, SP Junior, UP, UP Junior Phonak Nios micro, S H20 Phonak Versata micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro
Arm Title
Profound hearing impaired
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Patients showing profound hearing loss (> 80 dB HL). Introduction of speech signal via the DAI of two hearing aids among: PhonakAudéo V-13 Phonak Baseo Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13 Phonak Bolero Q-P, Q-SP, Q-M13, Boléro V-P, V-SP Phonak Naida Q-CRT, Q-SP, Q-UP Phonak Sky Q-RIC, Q-SP, Q-UP, Q-M13 Phonak Ambra microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Cassia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Dalia microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Naida S SP, S UP, S CRT Phonak Solana microP, SP, M H20 Phonak Certéna micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Exélia micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro Phonak Milo Plus micro, Plus SP, Plus UP Phonak Naida SP, SP Junior, UP, UP Junior Phonak Nios micro, S H20 Phonak Versata micro, Art M, Art P, Art SP, Art micro
Intervention Type
Device
Intervention Name(s)
Hearing Aids
Other Intervention Name(s)
Hearing instruments
Intervention Description
The only intervention consists in applying a specific processing on some recorded speech signals, and comparing the performance obtained with such processed samples with ones that have not been processed. The applied processing is a binaural spatialization method that consists in filtering an original audio signal to get a left and right versions (for the two ears). The binaural rendering gives the impression that the speech signal (and thus the speaker) is located in a desired position in the environment.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Speech Intelligibility
Description
Speech recognition score (%) For each group: average of the SRS over all subjects in the group. The SRS correspond to the number of understood words in a sequence of sentences (French HINT database) mixed with several level of masking noise (speech-shaped noise). Some are played diotically, the other are spatialized in various directions. The goal is to ensure that the spatialization processing does not degrade the understanding of the speech.
Time Frame
1 day of the experiment
Title
Speaker's Localization
Description
Localization error (in number of spatial sectors) For each group: average localization error over all subjects in the group. It is the difference between the actual spatial sector and the one reported by the listeners. There were 5 spatial sectors, and 9 possible locations. For instance: if the stimuli is played in sector 4, and the listener perceives it in 2, then the localization error is |4-2| = 2. The goal is to compare the localization error in 3 conditions: 1/ with no hearing aids (reference of natural localization) and no spatialization 2/ with hearing aids and standard fittings and no spatialization, and 3/ with spatialization applied.
Time Frame
1 day of the experiment
Title
Listener's Subjective Preference
Description
Listeners compare two audiovisual stimuli (diotic and spatialized) and Indicate their preference between binaural diotic (no spatialization), spatialized stimuli, or no preference. Results are given as the percentage of participant for the 3 possible answers in each group.
Time Frame
1 day of the experiment

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
85 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria French-native speakers and adults. Normal otoscopy. No conductive pathology. Normal hearing, or moderate to severe, sloping or flat, symmetrical hearing loss. User of bilateral Phonak hearing aids, for more than 6 months (hearing-impaired only). Exclusion Criteria: History of tinnitus or hyperacusis. Visual impairment, after correction with glasses or not. History of chronic or terminal illness or psychiatric disturbance,. History of epilepsy or other reactions associated with the proximity to a video screen.
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Gilles Courtois, Enginner
Organizational Affiliation
Sonova AG
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
City
Lausanne
ZIP/Postal Code
1015
Country
Switzerland

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
No
Citations:
PubMed Identifier
29457537
Citation
Courtois G, Lissek H, Estoppey P, Oesch Y, Gigandet X. Effects of Binaural Spatialization in Wireless Microphone Systems for Hearing Aids on Normal-Hearing and Hearing-Impaired Listeners. Trends Hear. 2018 Jan-Dec;22:2331216517753548. doi: 10.1177/2331216517753548.
Results Reference
derived

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Evaluation of a Binaural Spatialization Method for Hearing Aids

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