Daily sound exposure of hearing aids users during COVID-19 pandemic in Europe

Frontiers in Public Health

Public Health

Alessandro Pasta¹  Lars Bramsløw²  Jeppe H. Christensen²  Niels H. Pontoppidan²  Kang Sun³  Tiberiu-Ioan Szatmari³  Dorothea Wendt⁴ 

[1] Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;Demant A/S, Smørum, Denmark;Eriksholm Research Centre, Snekkersten, Denmark;Eriksholm Research Centre, Snekkersten, Denmark;Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;Eriksholm Research Centre, Snekkersten, Denmark;Hearing Systems, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;

关键词: COVID-19;    hearing aid users;    governance intervention;    sound exposure;    sound pressure level;    signal-to-noise ratio;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2023.1091706

 received in 2022-11-25, accepted in 2023-09-15,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the daily sound exposure of hearing aid (HA) users during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on the impact of different governance intervention levels.MethodsModern HA technology was employed to measure and compare the sound exposure of HA users in three distinct periods: pre-pandemic, and two 14-day periods during the pandemic, corresponding to varying levels of governance interventions. The study sample comprised a total of 386 HA users in Europe during the pandemic, with daily sound exposure data collected as part of the main dataset.ResultsThe results revealed that, during the pandemic, the equivalent continuous sound pressure level (SPL) experienced by HA users decreased, while the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) increased compared to the pre-pandemic period. Notably, this impact was found to be more pronounced (p < 0.05) when individuals were subjected to stronger governance intervention levels, characterized by lower SPL and higher SNR.DiscussionThis study highlights the changes in daily sound exposure experienced by HA users during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly influenced by the extent of governance interventions that restricted social activities. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the effects of pandemic-related governance measures on the sound environments of HA users and have implications for audiological interventions and support strategies during similar crises.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Sun, Szatmari, Pasta, Bramsløw, Wendt, Christensen and Pontoppidan.