title: Evaluating the use of an assistive listening device for communication efficiency using the Diapix task: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to investigate the effects of assistive listening device (ALD) use on communication efficiency in groups of elderly adults with and without hearing impairment during a structured language sampling task. The relationship between self-perceived hearing handicap and communication efficiency was also explored.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two subjects completed measures of hearing sensitivity, perceived hearing handicap, cognition, and a language sample. One half of the hearing-impaired participants and one half of the normal-hearing group were randomly assigned to use an ALD during a structured conversation task with a naïve partner.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Hearing Loss/No ALD group had significantly more breakdowns than the Hearing Loss/With ALD group. Further, the Hearing Loss/With ALD group performed statistically similar to the two groups without hearing loss. For the normal-hearing groups as well as the Hearing Loss/No ALD group, self-perceived hearing handicap was significantly correlated with the number of communication breakdowns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results lent preliminary support for the use of ALDs in the management of hearing loss. A case for functional assessment of communication was made to better illuminate causes of perceived communication handicap in the aural rehabilitation of elderly persons with hearing impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Queens Campus, Long Island Audiology Consortium, St. John's University, Jamaica, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Maryrose
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McInerney
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Walden
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D003144:Communication Barriers; D032882:Comprehension; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D038781:Otoscopy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D013067:Speech Perception