Stručni rad
https://doi.org/10.31784/zvr.11.1.18
Audio exercises: a computer program for auditory training and tinnitus treatment
Mirta Čulina
; KBC Rijeka, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Andrea Andrijašević
; Veleučilište u Rijeci, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Hearing loss and tinnitus represent a significant challenge for affected individuals in everyday spoken communication. Hearing difficulties caused by them can be alleviated through different therapeutic approaches, however hearing therapy approaches aimed at hearing improvement in the adult population are not very common in the health sector. In recent years, desktop and mobile applications for the treatment of a variety of health difficulties have shown potential, but unfortunately they are still rarely available at no charge. In this paper, the knowledge in the area of audiology and hearing
therapy has been applied in designing a computer program for the Croatian speaking adult population with speech intelligibility difficulties caused by acquired hearing impairment and tonal tinnitus. The types of exercises and their representation have been modelled based on the conventional hearing therapy methods as well as on currently available web, mobile and desktop apps. The program contains twelve listening exercises that differ in their degree of complexity, whose design was guided by the fundamental principles of the verbotonal method. Accordingly, the exercises start with familiar terms before advancing to the unfamiliar ones and with optimal hearing conditions before moving on to the nonoptimal ones. In addition to these exercises, the program offers tonal tinnitus frequency identification and sound therapy for its loudness reduction based on the Tailor-made notched music training (TMNMT) principles. The program can serve as an addition to the conventional hearing therapy for individuals in the later stages of adaptation to hearing aids or cochlear implants, as well as help the non-diagnosed individuals to assess their hearing more objectively and, if necessary, seek professional help.
Ključne riječi
acquired hearing loss; tinnitus; rehabilitation; music therapy; computer program
Hrčak ID:
302887
URI
Datum izdavanja:
31.5.2023.
Posjeta: 717 *