Temporal Resolution and Speech Recognition in Noise in Adults with Hearing Aid

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of unilateral and bilateral hearing aid use on temporal resolution and speech recognition in noisy environments. Methods: The Gaps in Noise test and the Turkish Matrix Sentence Test were used to evaluate 60 participants with sensorineural hearing loss who were classified as bilateral hearing aid users, unilateral hearing aid users, and those not using a hearing aid. The tests were conducted with and without the use of hearing aids. Results: Although the values were within normal limits, different results were obtained from the Gaps in Noise test indices. Bilateral or unilateral use of hearing aids had no effect on the approximate Gaps in Noise test threshold; however, the percentage of correct responses was lower in the unilateral hearing aid group than in the bilateral hearing aid group. In the unilateral group, both the approximate threshold and the percentage of correct responses obtained from the right ear without hearing aids were low. Additionally, Turkish Matrix Sentence Test score was better in the users of bilateral hearing aids. Conclusion: While wearing bilateral hearing aids improves speech recognition in noisy environments, the effect on the Gaps in Noise test is unclear. The mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss did not affect the temporal resolution. The use of a unilateral hearing aid had an effect on the percentage of correct responses in the Gaps in Noise test but had no effect on the approximate threshold. Even when a monaural hearing aid is used in the right ear of a person with bilateral hearing loss, the asymmetrical stimulation has an effect on the temporal resolution obtained in the right ear.