Hearing loss: How the fingers could help

A simple and inexpensive device that is worn on the fingers and language in tactile stimuli converts, to improve the hearing of hearing impaired patients with cochlear implants and also in the case of persons with normal hearing. Even without Training, an improvement was shown immediately.

A new study has provided the first evidence that a device for sensory speech recognition can be used to be able to hear better. Even without Training, the hearing ability of test subjects improved and facilitated, for example, the Learning of a foreign language, or communication in the case of disturbing noise. They achieved with the device an average improvement of six decibels – a significant difference, because an increase of ten decibels means doubling the perceived loudness. As for the improved Hearing, no special Training was required, it could be suitable for the device is also good for people who can do not a comprehensive learning program.

In spite of the great advances in hearing AIDS and cochlear implants, the most common surgical implant for restoration of hearing, have to fight the hearing impaired, the patient still with some major challenges. "You have problems to verstehen&quot language in difficult, noisy acoustic environments;, Dr. Amir Amedi of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem explains.

The researchers examined in their study, the assumption that the speech comprehension under difficult conditions can be improved by additional information from other senses are used. They have developed a simple look-touch-Sensor-substitution device, which converts voice signals into vibrations, which are transmitted on two finger tips.

ZOU