Haptic sound-localisation for use in cochlear implant and hearing-aid users

Sci Rep. 2020 Aug 25;10(1):14171. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-70379-2.

Abstract

Users of hearing-assistive devices often struggle to locate and segregate sounds, which can make listening in schools, cafes, and busy workplaces extremely challenging. A recent study in unilaterally implanted CI users showed that sound-localisation was improved when the audio received by behind-the-ear devices was converted to haptic stimulation on each wrist. We built on this work, using a new signal-processing approach to improve localisation accuracy and increase generalisability to a wide range of stimuli. We aimed to: (1) improve haptic sound-localisation accuracy using a varied stimulus set and (2) assess whether accuracy improved with prolonged training. Thirty-two adults with normal touch perception were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. The experimental group completed a 5-h training regime and the control group were not trained. Without training, haptic sound-localisation was substantially better than in previous work on haptic sound-localisation. It was also markedly better than sound-localisation by either unilaterally or bilaterally implanted CI users. After training, accuracy improved, becoming better than for sound-localisation by bilateral hearing-aid users. These findings suggest that a wrist-worn haptic device could be effective for improving spatial hearing for a range of hearing-impaired listeners.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cochlear Implants*
  • Correction of Hearing Impairment / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Female
  • Hearing Aids*
  • Hearing Loss, Bilateral / physiopathology
  • Hearing Loss, Bilateral / rehabilitation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Persons With Hearing Impairments / psychology
  • Sensory Aids*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Sound Localization / physiology*
  • Speech Perception
  • Touch / physiology*
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*
  • Wrist
  • Young Adult