| 1. |
- Hua, Håkan, et al.
(författare)
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The impact of different background noises : effects on cognitive performance and perceived disturbance in employees with aided hearing impairment and normal hearing
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. - : American Academy of Audiology. - 1050-0545 .- 2157-3107. ; 25:9, s. 859-868
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Health care professionals frequently meet employees with hearing impairment (HI) who experience difficulties at work. There are indications that the majority of these difficulties might be related to the presence of background noise. Moreover, research has also shown that high-level noise has a more detrimental effect on cognitive performance and self-rated disturbance in individuals with HI than low-level noise.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of different types of background noise on cognitive performance and perceived disturbance (PD) in employees with aided HI and normal hearing.Research Design: A mixed factorial design was conducted to examine the effect of noise in four experimental conditions.Study Sample: A total of 40 participants (21 men and 19 women) were recruited to take part in the study. The study sample consisted of employees with HI (n = 20) and normal hearing (n = 20). The group with HI had a mild-moderate sensorineural HI, and they were all frequent hearing-aid users.Intervention: The current study was conducted by using four general work-related tasks (mental arithmetic, orthographic decoding, phonological decoding, and serial recall) in four different background conditions: (1) quiet, (2) office noise at 56 dBA, (3) daycare noise at 73.5 dBA, and (4) traffic noise at 72.5 dBA. Reaction time and the proportion of correct answers in the working tasks were used as outcome measures of cognitive performance. The Borg CR-10 scale was used to assess PD.Data Collection and Analysis: Data collection occurred on two separate sessions, completed within 4 wk of each other. All tasks and experimental conditions were used in a counterbalanced order. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was performed to analyze the results. To examine interaction effects, pairwise t-tests were used. Pearson correlation coefficients between reaction time and proportion of correct answers, and cognitive performance and PD were also calculated to examine the possible correlation between the different variables.Results: No significant between-group or within-group differences in cognitive performance were observed across the four background conditions. Ratings of PD showed that both groups rated PD according to noise level, where higher noise level generated a higher PD. The present findings also demonstrated that the group with HI was more disturbed by higher than lower levels of noise (i.e., traffic and daycare setting compared with office setting). This pattern was observed consistently throughout four working tasks where the group with HI reported a significantly greater PD in the daycare and traffic settings compared with office noise.Conclusions: The present results demonstrate that background noise does not impair cognitive performance in nonauditory tasks in employees with HI and normal hearing, but that PD is affected to a greater extent in employees with HI during higher levels of background noise exposure. In addition, this study also supports previous studies regarding the detrimental effects that high-level noise has on employees with HI. Therefore, we emphasize the need of both self-rated and cognitive measurements in hearing care and occupational health services for both employees with normal hearing and HI.
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| 2. |
- Carlsson, Per-Inge, 1959-, et al.
(författare)
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Variabillity in noise susceptibility in a Swedish population : the role of 35delG mutation in the Connexin 26 (GJB2) gene
- 2004
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Ingår i: Audiological Medicine. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1651-386X .- 1651-3835. ; 2:2, s. 123-130
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although it seems that genetic factors can influence individual susceptibility to noise, still very little is known about the genes or the mechanisms involved. The connexin 26 (Cx26) (GJB2) gene is of particular interest to study in relation to noise, since the gene encodes the gap junction protein Cx26. Noise has a metabolic and mechanical effect on the inner ear and may, therefore, interfere with gap junction channels. In order to investigate whether abnormally high susceptibility to noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) in humans is associated with the common 35delG mutation in the Cx26 gene, 1200 noise‐exposed workers were investigated in Sweden. Using a selection procedure based on audiometric analysis, noise exposure data and questionnaires, noise‐exposed workers were divided into two categories: noise susceptible and noise resistant. There was a correspondence in noise susceptibility between this noise‐exposed population and the international reference ISO Standard 1999. Blood samples were drawn from 245 highly selected male subjects (103 noise susceptible, 112 noise resistant and 30 randomized cases), and genomic DNA was analysed with respect to the Cx26 35delG mutation. The incidence of 35delG carriers among this cohort was determined by multiplex, allele‐specific PCR. Two of the 245 subjects (0.8% ‐ [95% confidence interval 0.1–2.9]) were found to be heterozygous carriers of the 35delG mutation, while the remaining 243 subjects were all non‐carriers. Both the heterozygous carriers were found in the noise susceptible group. Statistical evaluation of the results demonstrated no significant difference in carrier incidence between the noise susceptible and noise resistant individuals in our Swedish noise‐exposed population. In conclusion, there was no support for a major role of Cx26 35delG mutation in explaining the variability in noise susceptibility in this Swedish population.
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| 3. |
- Durisala, Naresh, et al.
(författare)
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Determination and classification of the problems experienced by adults with single-sided deafness using ICF classification : an exploratory study using 26 participants
- 2017
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Ingår i: Clinical Otolaryngology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1749-4478 .- 1365-2273. ; 42:3, s. 748-752
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 1. Previous studies have shown the application of ICF in classifying hearing problems using open ended questionnaire.2. The present study leveraged on that concept and used ICF in classifying hearing related problems and their effects on life style in adults with single-sided deafness.3. We have used "problem and life effects" questionnaire to which patients were asked to list the problems and effects of hearing loss on their lives.4. Apart from hearing and emotional related problems, use of an open ended questionnaire allowed tapping onto some of the non-auditory problems that these individuals may experience. 5.ICF classification provided basic information on the complex character of single sided deafness and can serve as a key element for rehabilitation.
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| 4. |
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Proceedings from the Second International Interdisciplinary Conference on Perspectives and Limits of Dialogism in Mikhail Bakhtin, 3-5 June, 2009
- 2010
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Proceedings (redaktörskap) (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- (Preface) This conference focused on the core of Bakhtin’s theory, which concerns dialogue and dialogicality. The conference themes reflected his notion that the “I” and the “self”, the “you” and the “other” are embedded in each other so that each affects the other and as a whole they create a centrifugal force around which communication and life circle. The choice of the two-faced Janus figure as the symbol of the conference reflects the inward and outward aspects of communication’s inherent dialogue and dialogicality. As an ancient Roman god of beginnings and doorways, of the rising and setting sun, looking in opposite directions, Janus has been associated with polarities, that is, seeing different and contrasting aspects and characteristics. As a metaphor it describes Bakhtin’s view on dialogues and dialogicality within or between “selves” and “others”. As a metaphorical symbol it captured the intent, purpose and outcome of the conference as reflected in this collection of papers.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Socher, Michaela, et al.
(författare)
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Comparing the semantic networks of children with cochlear implants and children with typical hearing: Effects of length of language access
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Communication Disorders. - : Elsevier. - 0021-9924 .- 1873-7994. ; 99
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PurposeKenett et al. (2013) report that the sematic networks, measured by using an oral semantic fluency task, of children with cochlear implants (CI) are less structured compared to the sematic networks of children with typical hearing (TH). This study aims to evaluate if such differences are only evident if children with CI are compared to children with TH matched on chronological age, or also if they are compared to children with TH matched on hearing age.MethodThe performance of a group of children with CI on a verbal fluency task was compared to the performance of a group of chronological-age matched children with TH. Subsequently, computational network analysis was used to compare the semantic network structure of the groups. The same procedure was applied to compare a group of children with CI to a group of hearing-age matched children with TH.ResultsThe children with CI perform on the same level on an oral semantic verbal fluency task as the children with TH matched on hearing age. There are significant differences in terms of the structure of the semantic network between the groups. The magnitude of these differences is very small and they are non-significant for a proportion of nodes included in the bootstrap analysis. This indicates that there is no true difference between the networks. Hearing age, but not age at implantation was found to be significantly positively correlated with semantic verbal fluency performance for the children with CI.ConclusionsThe results from the current study indicate that length of language exposure is an important factor for the structure of the semantic network and the performance on a semantic verbal fluency task for children with CI. Further studies are needed to explore the role of the accessibility of the language input for the development of semantic networks of children with CI.
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| 7. |
- Hedbrant, Johan, 1959-, et al.
(författare)
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Ny mätmetod för käkmuskulaturen kan finna orsaken till tinnitus : Slutrapport Nutek 92-11904
- 1997
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Tinnitus är en åkomma som i lindrigare eller allvarligare former drabbar 17% av västvärldens befolkning. Ca 85 000 svenskar har tinnitus på invalidiserande nivå. Förutom mänskligt lidande orsakar tinnitus samhällskostnader på ca 1.5 miljard kr årligen. Orsaken är till största delen okänd.Vissa tecken tyder på ett samband mellan tinnitus och funktionsstörning i en käkmuskel. Några olika icke–invasiva metoder för mätning av muskelstörning i M Pterygoideus Lateralis har utvärderas. Två av dessa är intressanta för fortsatta studier.Termografi användes för att diagnosticera muskelstörningar på ytligt liggande muskler. Vi såg åtskilliga varma områden på ytliga käk– och nackmuskler på de patienter som hade käkledsstörningar, samt möjligen tecken på onormal värme från M Pterygoideus Lateralis. Mätförhållandena var dock ej ideala.En metod att mäta EMG med adaptiv noise cancelling provades. EMG från en ryggmuskel, stört av en “EKG–signal” från hjärtat användes. Metoden fungerade bra. Fortsatt metodutveckling på t.ex. ryggmuskler borde göras.
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| 8. |
- Jonsdottir, Ingibjörg H, 1966, et al.
(författare)
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A pre/post analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychosocial work environment and recovery among healthcare workers in a large university hospital in Sweden
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Public Health Research. - : SAGE Publications. - 2279-9028 .- 2279-9036. ; 10:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workload, mental health, and well-being of healthcare workers, and particularly those on the front-line, has received considerable attention. Design and methods: We surveyed hospital employees about their working environment during the pandemic and identified departments which were negatively affected in comparison to the pre-pandemic situation, as well as factors contributing to this. Setting and participants We surveyed all hospital employees at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden in September 2020 and compared results across departments and to the results of a large employee survey from October 2019. Results: The overall impact of the pandemic on perceived working conditions and possibility for recovery differed among departments. During the pandemic, healthcare workers working with COVID-19 patients reported poorer working environments than other employees. Factors significantly related to perception of work environment and recovery during the pandemic included worries of being infected, departmental transfer, and having insufficient access to personal protective equipment. Men reported better working conditions than women in all, but one item and higher age was related to better perceived working environment. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the pandemic differentially affects hospital departments and underscores the multifactorial nature of this topic. Contributing factors to poor perceived working environment could be addressed at times of high workload, such as during the pandemic, including providing appropriate support to managers, ensuring possibility for recovery during working hours, and acknowledging worries about infection. Young healthcare workers and staff who are relocated due to the pandemic warrant special attention.
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| 9. |
- Nakeva von Mentzer, Cecilia, 1968-, et al.
(författare)
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Computer-assisted training of phoneme-grapheme correspondence for children who are deaf and hard of hearing : Effects on phonological processing skills
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. - Amsterdam, Netherlands : Elsevier. - 0165-5876 .- 1872-8464. ; 77:12, s. 2049-2057
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Examine deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children's phonological processing skills in relation to a reference group of children with normal hearing (NH) at two baselines pre intervention. Study the effects of computer-assisted phoneme-grapheme correspondence training in the children. Specifically analyze possible effects on DHH children's phonological processing skills.Methods: The study included 48 children who participated in a computer-assisted intervention study, which focuses on phoneme-grapheme correspondence. Children were 5, 6, and 7 years of age. There were 32 DHH children using cochlear implants (CI) or hearing aids (HA), or both in combination, and 16 children with NH. The study had a quasi-experimental design with three test occasions separated in time by four weeks; baseline 1 and 2 pre intervention, and 3 post intervention. Children performed tasks measuring lexical access, phonological processing, and letter knowledge. All children were asked to practice ten minutes per day at home supported by their parents.Results: NH children outperformed DHH children on the majority of tasks. All children improved their accuracy in phoneme-grapheme correspondence and output phonology as a function of the computer-assisted intervention. For the whole group of children, and specifically for children with CI, a lower initial phonological composite score was associated with a larger phonological change between baseline 2 and post intervention. Finally, 18 DHH children, whereof 11 children with CI, showed specific intervention effects on their phonological processing skills, and strong effect sizes for their improved accuracy of phoneme-grapheme correspondence.Conclusion: For some DHH children phonological processing skills are boosted relatively more by phoneme-grapheme correspondence training. This reflects the reciprocal relationship between phonological change and exposure to and manipulations of letters.
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| 10. |
- Saldert, Charlotta, 1966, et al.
(författare)
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Complexity in measuring outcomes after communication partner training: Alignment between goals of intervention and methods of evaluation
- 2018
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Ingår i: Aphasiology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0268-7038 .- 1464-5041. ; 32:10, s. 1167-1193
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Researchers are currently discussing the need for consensus on a core set of outcome measures to assess interventions in aphasia. For indirect, environmental approaches to aphasia intervention, such as communication partner training (CPT), the roadmap to obtaining consensus on core outcome measures seems especially complex. While the purpose of CPT is to improve communication for people with communication disorders, the intervention is aimed at the communication partner. There is also a variety of goals, activities, and possible settings for CPT. This complexity increases the risk of a mismatch between the goals and content of the intervention and measures used to evaluate the outcome.Aims: The purpose of this paper is to describe the complexity of measuring outcomes from CPT. The aim is to enable clinicians and researchers to reflect on the outcomes to be measured and also on how different types of measures may or may not be aligned with the goals and content of a specific CPT intervention.Main contribution: The current proliferation of outcome measures used in CPT is considered in the light of a survey of general factors to be considered in evaluating intervention outcomes. The complexity of measuring outcomes in CPT is illustrated and the importance of alignment of main objectives, intervention tasks, and projected outcomes is exemplified by referencing two common types of CPT approaches. Objectives relating to knowledge of aphasia, interactional behaviour, and feelings and attitudes are considered in relation to specific outcome measurements. It is suggested that both study-specific and more general measures are needed for capturing and comparing outcomes. The measurement of relevant outcome in CPT is discussed along with implications for future research and clinical practice.Conclusions: Different CPT approaches share the same purpose of facilitating communication in aphasia, but their application in research studies or in the clinic, is specific to the particular context. Special care must thus be taken in both clinical practice and research to safeguard the alignment between objectives, tasks, and projected intervention outcomes and the actual measures used. Further, it is concluded that there is a need for the development of new measures based on a consensus on key outcomes to be measured in CPT.
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